How do you feel about being paid for your work?

Hey Jen,
I get you. I used to feel the same way.
And I still do sometimes, I sit at my desk, immersed in creativity, not responding to anything around me, and then suddenly it hits me and say to my partner: ” I can't belive people will pay me for this!”
It is still mind-blowing to see my bank account and know I did it simply by being - me.

It was a year-long transition from studying at college to have a “safe” future and felling lost, to being self-employed, doing what I love and feeling blessed.

I had all sorts of feelings toward money in that period. I was broke the whole year. I never asked my folks for any, but they would jump in sometimes. No one but my partner understood that I was doing what I had to, but rather that I was throwing my future away for some childish dreams. Still, they rarely went to stop me.

I had to water my idea of earning money with this every single day. I would drink my coffee with people who had dreams like me, and talked with my partner about how big we'll be. At the end of the day, I'd lay in my bed still totally broke. I thought of getting a part-time job, but in a country with unemployment rate higher than average temperature (in Celsius!), it felt more logical to pursue my dreams.

It got as tough as it gets when my dad died in April. My mother is a housewife, and I felt like a burden. But I kept my cool and continued my path.

I launched my site in June, and earned the first 20$ in July. I also started getting a scholarship from my father's firm, because I was still a student on papers. The same month I sold my first oil painting (that I had no intention of selling).

It maybe unfair receiving this scholarship, but I think of it as a gift from my father, and it will last only a few more months. Selling the first painting made me the most happy, and I went out to celebrate it big time.

The “problem” I'm facing is pricing my work. The thing is that I enjoy doing what I do, and I am still learning a lot with every new piece. It felt at first I'm charging for my schoolwork.

I had to change the way I percieve myself to feel worthy. And to see my self as a professional, I had to become a professional. So I started to think of myself as a designer, not only a beginner. I did my best with everything, and I started teaching others (I wrote tutorials). I joined designer communities, and I introdiced myself a s a designer. And it all helped A LOT. The price in dollars still seems high to me, but when I see my competition, I'm cheapest one around!

Now I'm doing what I love and know best, and I'm grateful for vevery penny I earn. The first step that got me here is to find out what I love doing best.

One of the advantages about being aligned with your true calling is that it not only makes your heart sing, but makes you feel worthy!

I wish you all the luck in the world when you start finding your bliss ;)

Many people “fear money” and I have also been one of those…I undercut my worth in dollars because I hate greed. One must balance it all though, as we end up suffering if we short change our energy exchange…

I love teaching…but it must be college..I need to be free of the parental hovering!

:)