A Day in the Life of a Working Artist: Balancing Art & Mental Health

Today was one of those days where everything felt just a little heavier. I worked a stressful shift at The Bair, the cozy little local restaurant where I waitress. It’s tucked right into my small town by the water here in Washington. Living here has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I always imagined a quiet life, tucked away from the noise and chaos of the world. And now I’m living it...

or at least doing my best to.

Some people might call it selfish, this choice to stay quiet about all the noise out there. But the truth is, I’ve already lived a life of chaos. I’ve been through enough storms that now, all I want is peace. A slower pace. A space to breathe deeply. I'm a mother of two wild and beautiful boys, and I married my love last July. Life is full, even when it feels heavy.

Lately though, my job has been taking more and more of my time. My art business hasn’t been doing great this year. Last year, my first real year putting my work out there, I sold 17 paintings. That felt like such a huge accomplishment for someone just starting out. It gave me hope. It made me believe that maybe this could actually become something more. But this year, I’ve only sold two. I’m not bitter. This is why I work...to pay bills, to support my family, and to help fund this dream of mine.

But it’s not always easy, working long hours just to keep a creative passion alive. Especially when it starts to feel more like a hustle than a calling. Some days, I really want to quit. Not painting...never painting. But quit showing up online. Quit chasing the algorithm. Quit trying to keep up with trends and content ideas and staying "visible" in a world that never slows down. It’s exhausting. I’ve had to pull back to protect my mental health, and it’s helped more than I expected. But still, I haven’t let go.

Because I believe in my work. I believe in my story. I believe in the version of me that’s learning how to keep going even when no one is watching. I’ve been the kind of person who gives up too easily in the past. But not this time. Something about this dream feels different. I don’t always understand why I keep pushing, but I do. And there’s something powerful in that. Something sacred about the quiet pursuit.

I can feel it. When the breakthrough comes, it’s going to change everything. Not just for me, but for my family too. That’s how much I believe in what I’m building.

If you’re out there chasing a dream of your own, I see you. Don’t quit. Rest when you need to. Breathe. Pull back when your heart tells you to. But don’t give up. The quiet effort still counts. And one day, you’ll look back and realize that every small step mattered.

Thanks for being here. If this spoke to you, feel free to reach out or follow along. I’d love to hear your story too. We’re all just walking each other home, one dream at a time.

With love, Ginger

@gingerlianneart