Life advice for an orphan

#1 Pursue more financial security.

#2 Seek more interesting ventures as finances allow.

#3 Is finances do not allow more interesting ventures see #1

Following a passion in something risky is OK if you have a backup system or decide that working 3 jobs to support your art is worth it.

My cousin is an opera singer. Her father has millions and her husband is wealthy too. She also has talent and drive, and a financial back up (as well as a paid-for college education). Music was a driving force for my choir director. He worked 3 jobs to support his family for years. Now he is down to working 2 jobs now that the kids are grown.

Just a couple of comments.

When I was a youngun', I attempted to merge the passion (writing) & career (journalism) & it didn't work out so well. I discovered that applying all the boundaries, rules & structure just took the fun out of it. This is actually in line with Alfie Kohn's work - described in "Punished by Reward" & other works - that associating something with financial reward/competition can deflate the enjoyment of it.

Everyone needs a work-life balance. We need 'downtime' to pursue activities that bring joy into our lives - e.g., our passions. I would contend that attempting to combine passion and work is an ideal, but not easy to accomplish. It may be far more realistic to seek a career that will provide financial stability and reasonable career growth that will also allow us to then pursue our passion.

The answer depends upon what you want in life.

Very few are blessed with the ability to make a living based on doing what they love (and still loving it once they're doing it as a job) but it is possible as evidenced by the fact that some are doing it. Taking a chance on following your passion (acting, for example, or music or writing) may lead to financial stability but more often than not it doesn't. We hear only about the Ben Afflecks, Tom Clancys and Taylor Swifts -- not about the waitress working three jobs and still showing up for auditions or sound checks. If you choose that route, you may eventually achieve success. Or you may be living in your car with your children since you can't pay your bills. It's a chance that YOU have to decide whether to take.

If your desire is financial stability, the ability to support a family one day and sleeping in a warm house every night, then you may decide to pursue a stable career with steady employment and a decent wage and benefits. You may write or act or sing on your days off. (Naomi Judd was a nurse.). Parents would probably advise the latter course. (Although mine advised me to marry a rich man rather than waste my time going to college.).

My personal advice is to pick a stable career that you can enjoy and engage in your passions on the side. There's something to be said for knowing where you'll sleep and where your next meal is coming from.