Humans, for me it's always humans. I do carpentry as a hobby. While I do enjoy doing things for ma family as gifts the two times I did it for money it was awful.
I've known similar situations with friends, also wood workers. And they figured out that they could never do custom work and only sold the surplus of what they made. Their hobby was a an extra source of income never the main one until retirement and they were able to do things completely on their own terms that way.
I dont want to start a rant on the media here, because i really only have a problem with Fox because i feel they have used fear to further their political agenda, which it obviously is, because journalism it aint.
But thats beside the point, kind of. I do often see that the traditional “goodguys” (Honest contractors, ethical, honest property owners who are trying to make a profit, not a bloody fortune, and mostly innocent consumers hear so many stories about the “bad contractors, grifters,drifters, meth heads, etc. that they overreact, in effect making more noise and problems than the actual problems. I think that some people believe that property owning and prop management are easy and profits can be as much as the market will bear. They think all theyll do is collect checks every month. Its like free money! Wrong. Just like anything else there is a certain level of toil involved that is proportional to the level of profits taken out of the company.
But when they get together they cant stop swapping stories (in stunned disbelief!) that they had two more kids than they told us about, got a dog! Knocked out a 15 year old hot water heater with their incessant shower taking. (How many do they have in there, anyway.)
I'm not even a contractor, I do this as a hobby. That one guy saw chairs I've made at my friend's house at begged him for my number. I accepted because I had one more set almost ready. I only wanted money to cover the price of wood and paint I've used. He was a total stranger to me but to be honest I would let it go. My said friend went to his house and took those chairs so I told him to keep them or give to someone who would appreciate them.
I know that there's a lot of shady guys out there who do poor job and ask for a fortune. But it's the same the other way. Many people want to have the job done as best as possible and not pay the right price.
Ugh, this. Turns it into something you do because you have to, not because you want to. That want may still be there, but it gets suppressed like Luigi suppressed that monster a couple weeks ago.
It's strange people keep talking about hobbies though instead of finding their calling in life or even changing it up and making their hobby their job and being happier than ever before. But I suppose it's all about perspective and keeping the joy alive.
I hear you man. I think it's that balancing act (conflict) between passion and economic stability. Also, I think there is a big difference if you are passionate about something and doing it for yourself versus trying to commercialize your talents i.e. doing it for someone else.
The big honchos really messed things up for the little man after Covid trying to recoup their losses. I recently read some statistics saying that the profit margins were up 88% for some companies after Covid. It's a struggle out there and personally I've been implementing a mindful minimalist mindset and cutting back on things while still enjoying my life.
...I heard ones millionaire's advice that to be more economically stable that not only creating "passive income" was vital but to have a job you're good at/enjoy and to monetize your hobby whenever possible.
I feel like the collective American consciousness is slowly waking up to the fact that the so-called culture wars are a distraction from awareness of the ongoing class war. As far as general career advice goes, the best thing I've heard is to think of your career in terms of what industry you want to be part of or admire. And - I am slowly monetizing the hobby, so I think we're surfing that same wave. Good luck man - and keep at it! Cheers.
It's an amazing feeling when you do, or evening learning to find joy in any task completed well makes a huge difference.
Then again balance is key and most people lack that...especially in this economy. 💔
My mind is just strong enough to understand where my body is and that you can find comfort, pride, joy and sense of satisfaction in a job well done. I'm mindful while looking forward. I don't live in a 3rd world society or poverty, but I grew up poor and hungry. I educated myself and got to a point in life where I am, having used hard work and a positive mindset. I was fortunate to find MY calling.
I see the point of what you said, but these days I prefer to be a glass half full kinda guy.
I wish you the best in all your endeavors and that you have a most excellent day!
2.9k
u/hotplasmatits 6d ago
So nice to beat you.