10 Assumptions People Make About Creatives That Aren’t At All True

That we need a “practical” day job or a “Plan B.”

Updated 9 years ago, February 1, 2016

1. That we don’t care about making money.

Just because I’m not starting my professional life in a suit DOES NOT MEAN I don’t give a shit about making money. I would really love to make it rain in future, and I fully intend to; I’m just down to make some fiscal sacrifices at first to build a kick ass creative platform.

2. Or that we’re down to do work for free.

Unpaid work is a thing of my ~~INDENTURED SERVITUDE~~ internship past. I am aaaaabsolutely not down to write for free, and neither are any of my colleagues. How’d you like it if I asked you to plug all them numberz into that big ol’ spreadsheet for free, buddy???

3. That we have .0001% chance of achieving our dreams.

You must live in a sad, jealous little world to believe this one—especially since, as a creative, you don’t have to be famous to be successful. And I don’t think I’m gonna be successful—I know am. So pls silence your skepticism and get yours while I get mine.

4. That we need a “practical” day job or a “Plan B.”

Naaaaah. If I’m gonna do this damn thing, I’ma do it.

5. That we’re pathologically late.

Gonna keep it real here: I do suffer from pathological lateness. HOWEVER, most of my work buddies are NOT similarly afflicted. Creative people have to make a living and meet their daily commitments, too.

6. That we didn’t learn anything real in college.

My boss happens to have a degree in POLITICAL ECONOMY, thankuverymuch.

7. That we have to be on the brink of a psychological meltdown to express ourselves.

Not everyone who writes (or paints or takes pictures) professionally is a crazy person. We’re really only as emotionally unstable as the average Jolene. We express our problems more publicly than Jo, sure, but that doesn’t mean that we have a surplus of them.

8. That we can only work when ~inspiration~ hits.

…As opposed to in a super structured, organized way, which is how many of us do it. Creativity and scatter-brainedness are not codependent beasts.

9. That we’re reckless.

Creatives tend to be risk-takers, yes. But taking risks and being reckless are not the same thing. I may be willing to map a volatile professional future, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to take certain precautions to protect my life, too.

10. That we have substance abuse issues.

Creativity does not rely on a drinking problem or a coke addiction. Yes, plenty of famous artists have suffered from substance abuse issues, but so have plenty of infamous investment bankers.