Newbie here....

[this_troper]

How do you guys manage to keep up your spirits when you keep getting no replies or the runaround on applications/possible jobs/etc.? I'm having days where I want to crawl up into a ball and cry from the frustration of it all and would like some help on at least having a better outlook on this beyond "Apply for more jobs!" Any help

Comments

[animeg3282]

I have no idea about spirits, but I guess you could ask your friends to put a good work in for you.

[this_troper]

I just moved cross country so I don't have a lot of local people I can ask to put good words in. I could ask my cousin if he could? He's a pretty influential businessman in the area and I've helped out in his office a few times.

[animeg3282]

It's worth a try.

[this_troper]

Yeah. What's the worst that could happen?

Thanks. ♥

[this_troper]

I know that, but every time I've tried to take "time off" I wind up spending the day curled up in the aforementioned ball.

Meh, maybe I should force myself to have a little fun instead.

[this_troper]

Luckily, I don't drink. Lol.

I could ask someone next time I feel like I'm going to give into the urge to curl up into a ball. Thanks for the advice. :^)

[comic_heroine]

I feel your pain, and it's so heartbreaking. I woke up depressed this morning on my way to work feeling like I'll never be more than a laid-off artist who can't get a break, and is like every other art grad (and others at my work right now with a degree)- a part time sales clerk.

If you're an artist, I'd suggest farting around with a blog and sharing anything you do. Not only does it help distract, it also may get noticed. -Not that mine has worked, but you never know.

But if anything else helps, if it's possible to do hanging out spending time "in" rather than "out" with friends? Taking a hot shower or bath? Also, I find little positive reminders to be useful at times like "You're awesome!" posted around mirrors sometimes help, too, silly as it sounds.

[this_troper]

I wouldn't mind working retail, actually. Employee discount on clothes/art supplies/video games/insert other geekery here? Sign me up!

I actually have the start of a portfolio and professional blog and did some freelance graphic design for spare cash before I moved. The problem is everything is so shaky right now that any job would be a godsend. My family's being kind to me, but I need some kind of security in my income before I even attempt to do the freelancing stuff anymore.

As for your own depression, look at it this way: You have a secure income so you can work on your art, maybe take some classes or enter some competitions, possibly get clients, without having to bend to the will of the public. You can pick and choose what to do with your art while working to improve on it.

[comic_heroine]

Oh I already have a degree, and right now, I've got an account set up with a site for freelance bidding. The trick is finding the time between the parttime job, wedding planning, a comic pitch, and some other things to work around. I have a few game plans going, which helps, plus a lot of the programs involved with my degree I can get tutorials online to help beef up the skills. :) But there are THOSE days we all get.

I've actually picked up my parttime job at one of the hardware chains. They pay fairly decent wages versus standard retail stores, speaking from personal experience, since I was at a clothing store earlier for survival sake, sold cosmetics, too, and now selling paint in a hardware store. It may not have much fun stuff to play with, but it DOES help in the saving up $$ department to pay bills.

[this_troper]

The "classes" thing was more a reference on refresher courses or learning new tricks, not a degree. Lol. Sounds like you're off to a good start. Just keep chugging away and you should get there. Nothing to feel depressed about! The frustration, on the other hand, I totally understand! |^D

[muse_of_ire]

You can volunteer! And take up hobbies related to your chosen field - what's your field?