[Jess]

Does anyone here claim that they belong to this "sub culture" of people who are really into the arts, music, etc?? I am just wondering because I feel like there is a huge part of me that wants to "belong" to this sub culture, I know it probably sounds weird to say...but I am having trouble establishing my identity between trying to express myself in these ways, and also trying to somewhat fit in to what I think society wants me to be. For some reason, I really don't like to conform, I don't know why. Does anyone else feel like this? It's been especially hard for me since I feel like everyone in my family is pretty cookie cutterish and conservative for the most part. I don't want to be this starving artist, I mean I want to succeed, but it's hard feeling like you have to suppress certain feelings or be/act/dress a certain way to belong to the "business world" or associated areas of careers. Anyone know what I am talking about at all?!

 

[Melusine]

I get what you're saying, i also love artsy things, and would love to belong to a subculture of artistic expression. Just be youreself, express yourself how you want, don't worry about other people, ordinary is boring. I have a strong need to stand out in a certain way too.

 

[Jess]

I think it's because im really emotional...so i have all of these feelings inside of me that i want to express all the time...its just a question of whether i want to be criticized by the general public...

 

[Jess]

I don't think so...maybe partially, but for the most part I think that people who are artsy and express themselves in that way are just being themselves and in that way they are alike.

 

[Goran]

i'm a failed aritst.
with that, i realised i don't really want to belong to either class. i'd rather have a foot in both. it makes me feel far more fulfilled.

 

[Goran]

there. i even spelled artist wrong. (or is it spelt?? :con stupid irregular verbs)

 

[chrisman19]

I can't believe there's someone else that feels like this too. It's like you put into words how I feel all the time.

I'm 21 years old, a junior in college, and working at an investments company part time. I have to dress up every day in a suit, do investments related work (which is not my thing), try to look like I have a positive attitude, and somehow get through the day. I study finance/economics/business, which is not me...my parents really pressured me to study this in college and do this with my life that I don't really want to do.

I don't want to conform to the business world--it's too materialistic, and too much emphasis is on money and there is little creativity involved (no emotion either, except when someone gets excited when a stock goes up .001% and everyone jumps at the chance to buy or sell it to make their clients a little more money). Sometimes I feel like these people worry too damn much about money and don't enjoy what really matters in life, such as family, time, hapiness, fulfillment, etc.

I would love to be some kind of a musician who doesn't have a boss and makes his money how HE feels like it, gets up in the morning when HE wants to, does with his life what HE wants, and who gets the chance to experience as much in life as humanly possible instead of being stuck at work all day constantly worrying his life away about money and finances--I don't want to spend my life worrying when I'm 20 about my retirement when I'm 65. I don't want money to control me and determine every decision in my life. People spend their whole lives worrying about the future but never enjoy the present. They keep waiting and hoping that if they save enough, work hard enough, or do enough today, then someday they'll never have to worry about money again and they can just be lazy and sit there all day and do nothing. Bottom line--there's more to life than money--Americans have more money than ever but are unhappier than ever...there's a NEGATIVE correlation between money and hapiness.

Anyway, I could go on forever, but basically I feel like I'm naturally better at being creative--writing and music mostly, and also other ways--I would love to make a living doing this and be surrounded by people like me, but I just don't know how to make it happen.

However, if you're around the college age (and if you or your parents have a lot of money), try checking out Columbia College in Chicago (I'm not an advertiser for them , I swear!)...go to http://www.colum.edu...they're a fine arts school that prides themselves on their passion for the arts. They've got some videos you can view on their website and the environment seems really exciting there--it seems like everyone there is really motivated and passionate about the arts and driven to succeed, and I'm sure there's a "culture" like what you're looking for there.

Ok, i'll stop now.

 

[Jess]

yeah I guess I feel like it would be good to finish up my education here, i am a pr major...so get that taken care of...and then from there hopefully get going on my major life goals and dreams whatever those are...I guess I will have to figure that out. Do you think you will ever go after your dreams of being a musician, or tap into your artistic side a little more? I don't know if I will ever have the guts to actually change my lifestyle completely but I would like to put more emphasis on it.

 

[wannabeMD]

I am in business college right now too and I wish I had never done it. I seem to be good at it with the exception of dropping a ton of classes because of SA. I am really interested in International Studies and I really love to write so I guess that makes me a little artsy. I am going to apply to write for the school newpaper if I could get the courage to do it. Business seems to be the best bet, but if I can get my depression and SA under control, I think I will go for med school. I think I have too many ambitions in totally unrelated things.

 

[wannabeMD]

Oops..

Sorry, I keep posting my crap twice. :fall