3 Tips for Balancing Art, Joy, and Financial Stability

Have you ever seen the Sister Act movies with Whoopi Goldberg? One iconic scene that has stuck with me throughout the years is the moment in Sister Act 2 where Sheryl Lee Ralph's character is talking with Lauryn Hill’s character. For those of you who haven’t seen the movie she hid the fact that she was in the school choir from her mom and when her mom found out she was livid.

“Singing does not put food on the table.

Singing does not pay the bills”

These words have echoed in my mind for years. In addition to those from my elders.

“Maybe you should focus on something that will consistently generate income.” and ”Working for the government is more stable than any other job.”

I’m sure you've heard similar sentiments from family members and friends. And the sad part is, based on the way our society works….they are right. I came to find these statements to be true after years of releasing music and seeing negligible returns from it.

The system is not set up to encourage people to pursue artistic passions. The world at large wants us to be useful. Always pushing us to pursue those three heavy hitting careers: doctor, lawyer, engineer. These are perceived and marketed as careers that you can be proud of and that will help you live a high quality life.

But here is the problem with this set up, financial stability is only part of the foundation you need to create a high quality of life. And once I realized this it led to three major mindset shifts for me when it comes to my art.

1. The primary purpose of creating art is for your enjoyment.

We create because it makes us feel alive. It brings us joy and pleasure to craft something that is unique to us and then share it with the world. Although it is shared with many people, your art is for you first. It is how you express your emotions and bring your inner world to life.

2. Although financial stability is necessary it doesn’t have to be achieved through mind numbing or back breaking work.

My grandfather used to say work smarter not harder. You don't have to sacrifice your physical safety and health for your entire life in order to keep the bills paid and finance your artistry. At best it will only be for a season. Which I found to be true while working in the fast food industry. The same goes for that sedentary mind numbing 9-5. (My current season of life). There are seasons when these types of jobs are necessary. How you manage your finances determines how long that season is.

3. If you want to make your living in the arts you have to separate which pieces of your art are private and which are for public consumption.

This mindset shift isn’t necessarily what is morally right to share with the public but is based more on your pre-determined internal boundaries. You don’t have to be an open book to gain a following or the income they can help you generate. For example some of my healthy boundaries are the following:

I don’t film content in my bathroom or my bedroom.

I don’t release sexually explicit music.

Just to name a few. These are the private spaces of my life that I want to keep just for myself. The best part about this mindset is that you get to choose these boundaries. I know some artists who refuse to cover songs with cursing in them and others who don’t mind cursing but don’t do meet and greets before a show so they can keep their headspace clear. The line of separation is yours alone to draw.

At the end of the day what we know for sure is that we have a limited amount of time on this planet. I believe that getting the most of that time includes pursuing joy and financial stability simultaneously. That pursuit brings balance and that balance is the core of a fulfilling life.

Until Next Time,

Orianna Joy

Sheryl Lee Ralph (left) and Lauren Hill (right) play mother and daughter in “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.” (Photo: GMA screenshot / YouTube)