Hi guys, been struggling to get time to respond so I also should apologize for taking to long to comment.

Firstly I would like to say all your comments are valid. and they are all appreciated.

I should also give more info. I am not unemployed, I am currently working as an artworker at a well established NPO for medical science. The pay is ok for now but not enough to have a family on (which at 28 is what creeps into your mind) and there is no room for movement in the company as being from an art not science background this is the only role I am qualified for. The job is also damn boring, I basically redraw graphs and charts with a bit of typesetting. So right now I am OK just that this is the first time in my life where I do not have a goal or plan of action, I do not know what the next step is or any idea what it should be.

Blah I understand your point and I know too well the cycle of emotions you experience at times like this and when unemployed, I had 2 years of it when I graduated and it was the worst depression I have experienced. I could very easily keep working on portfolio in the background which is my natural reaction and until my machine died was my plan but when I actually sit down and look at pro’s and con’s of my current situation compared with the pro’s and con’s both of what happens if I DON’T get a job in industry again and what happens if I DO I have to question whether it is worth it. If I was single and able to relocate then that would sway me but as I am planted here now and reluctant to relocate my partner for this then it looks like a smart person would just refuse it.

I mean not only am I frustrated with how little progress I have made in spite of working so hard I know for a fact that the conditions in industry are rubbish and that even if I get the best job going I won’t be working on the kind of things I would like to so it would still feel like ‘work’ if you get me.

So really everything points to giving it up as a bad job except my inner voice which while understanding this still feels guilty like I am quitting or like I am weak. And I feel like family and friends will be disappointed in me or like I will look stupid for it. I don’t know whether this inner voice is my passion trying to get me to work through this wall or whether that voice is the stubborn part of me that refuses to quit in spite of evidence suggesting the prudent course is to walk away. And isn’t it best to walk away from something when it’s not enriching your life any?

Anita your entire point reminds me very much of a quote (I think its from a US president but im from UK so dont know much about it) but it went like ‘do what you can with what you got where you are’ which I like. I am open right now to trying new things but have never considered what else I could be capable of and do not have the money or time to invest in education nor really do I have a desire to work for years in the hopes of getting another job in another competitive field.

I would and have considered freelance but the field is so glutted with others that its damn hard to get a look in not to mention the amount freelancers from asia that work for much much less and are admittedly just as skilled (albeit with a language barrier).

The way I see it I am more or less ok where I am really, just not satisfied. My limitations are lack of time and lack of money, I need a job I have skills either related to what I now know or close to. I also really want something with a quicker turnaround time as spending 80+ hours on one project really isn’t working for me, especially part time.

It only occurred to me yesterday but I think I am going to try and set up as a part time freelance graphic designer/typesetter/3D artist. I have skills all over the place so I think if I can polish up my portfolio in other areas and maybe learn some new skills like web design e.t.c. I have no idea how this will work out but its a shot and it will allow me to maintain my current position.

Im an hour late for work now lol but glad I finally got to reply. (I work on flexi time btw so not ACTUALLY late FYI)