As an artist, I can offer a third option: don't try to make money doing what you love. I laid out a budget that would keep me alive --- food, shelter, etc. Ess

As an artist, I can offer a third option: don't try to make money doing what you love. I laid out a budget that would keep me alive --- food, shelter, etc. Essentially, what it would take to be personally ramen-profitable. Then I made a budget of what it would take, minimally, to keep me doing what I think is important. I added them together, then looked for a job that wouldn't exhaust me, and would leave me with that much money. For me, that amount is below the poverty line --- so it's not that hard to find a fast-food job that will keep me above my personal happiness line without wasting too much of my energy. And when I sell some of my art, that money is bonus. I think that if you've discovered the contribution you want to make to society, and if society isn't willing to pay you for it, then don't, for the love of god, cave in! Just give society something that it wants (burgers flipped) and leave your mind and body available for what you know is important. And if something better comes along, you have no reason to regret leaving your job. You can always get another just like it. [edit] If tjic is right, and he might be, then I am wrong. If you're going to do what I just said, be sure that the product of your passion will be worth removing your talents from the market.