Job vs. Joy: How to Love What You Do Without Losing Why You Do It
It started as a way to quiet my mind.
See that tumbler up there? I loved making that.
Like many others, I found calligraphy during hardship. It was a lifesaver. All it took was a few pens, some paper, and no expectations. I didn’t start this journey to impress anyone or build a business. I just wanted to escape the noise, reframe the silence, and create a temporary alternative reality for myself. It never freed me from the hardship. But, over time, it helped me get through some of the toughest times I’ve ever experienced.
Then, something magical happened: people noticed. Compliments turned into inquiries. Inquiries turned into invoices. And before I knew it, my weekend hobby had a booking calendar, an email signature, and a tax form. 😂
But, what happens when the thing that once brought you peace starts bringing you paychecks?
Let’s talk about it.
You started.
Most of us don’t pick up a creative passion because we’re chasing profit. We start because we’re chasing presence. That moment when your hands are busy and your mind finally gets quiet…That’s the zone, and it’s where you want to live.
The first reason you started was likely the relief: no pressure, no rules, just flow.
Back then, you could experiment like a mad scientist and no one was watching. You could create something beautifully imperfect, tuck it away, and still feel full. There was no client waiting for a proof or an approval.
Then, there was your passion to learn all the things. You snatched up every tidbit of information you could get your obsessed, little, grabby hands on. That delicious rabbit hole of tutorials, workshops, and practice sessions that lasted way past bedtime…the crap ton of books you collected…the sheer number of tools and ink bottles you amassed…You weren’t trying to master it for money. You were in love with the craft itself. Angles you broke your neck trying to master compelled you. Thick and thin lines seduced you. Every chance you got to sit still a moment, calligraphy called your name.
Madarasz Script practice scribbles
Spencerian Drills Practice
Random practice sheets
Blackletter practice book
And then…Someone asked, “How much do you charge?”
Cue the dopamine shot.
You monetized it.
Let’s be honest…making guap doing something you love is a dream. And we all know live events is a little glam…a little “pick me.” What’s not to love? There is just something undeniably sparkly about turning your talent into a brand…even before you know what brand really means. You buy business cards. You start saying things like “my clients” and “my studio.” You start posting things on your socials and buy a domain name. And it’s a lot of fun!
The side hustle glow up really should be studied.
But maybe, deep down, it was more than just a side hustle to you. Maybe you felt a quiet nudge that this wasn’t just a hobby. Maybe, this was purpose. And maybe, you were right.
Here’s the truth though: when passion meets paycheck, joy can easily slip away.
The deadlines, the mock-up revisions, the late-night admin work on the nights Peri lets you stay up (oh that’s just me? 🥱)…that stuff can kill your spark.
Now what? How to keep the joy in your hustle
1. Take jobs that align with your values and goals
Not every paying opportunity deserves your time or your peace. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean it’s worth doing. The right jobs will excite you, not drain you.
For example, I had a blast on this gig with Maiden September. It was for Maker’s Mark, one of her pinch-me clients, and the gig was on my birthday weekend. She wanted a second calligrapher due to the anticipated number of guests. Most calligraphers would take off on their birthday weekend. But, I’ve been wanting a gig with Maker’s Mark for a minute because they just happen to be my son’s favorite bourbon brand. And, this time, his birthday was less than a month away. I knew the gig would afford me taking home a gift I couldn’t get him anywhere else (plus a nice check for my own birthday 😉). Guess who worked their birthday weekend?
Yup. This girl right here. 🙋🏾♀️
Thank you, Marie and Maker’s Mark for having me! Loved every second of it!
2. Keep challenging yourself
My first painting teacher once said, “If you’re in this for the money, you’re in the wrong career.”
Now, I don’t believe that artists are unable to make a living (or better) from their talents. But, I do subscribe to the notion that if you love what you’re doing, you’ll always be joyful.
I was chatting it up with a well-known calligrapher in the DMs recently who felt that most new calligraphers who take their talents pro to become live event artists are unwilling to do the work of being an artist. They work to get just good enough to be onsite and are not open to growth.
I thought that was pretty sad since one gig doesn’t mean you’ve perfected the craft. Getting paid once doesn’t mean you’ve arrived. Keep learning. Keep stretching. The paycheck is a great side effect. But, don’t forget the craft.
Besides, as one of my drawing teachers taught me, hard work and persistence beats talent any day.
For me, as much as I love repeat clients, I also love new clients because they present me with opportunities to do something new. With a repeat client who knows your work, technically, you are hired to do something similar to what you did the last time. With a new client, they may have done a cursory glance on your socials…But usually, the slate is clean and you can nearly remake yourself. It doesn’t happen all the time because people request what they request. But, when it does, and it comes together beautifully, it excites me!
Case in point, I was able to work with Neiman Marcus for the first time, engraving for a new-to-me brand, Ex Nihilo. When I got there, I was given two bottles—one blue and one clear. I was asked to create one sample design for women on the blue bottle and one for men that was on the more masculine side on the clear bottle. And you all know me by now….
Engrave on your tester bottles? Say less.
By the time the gig was over, I had engraved blackletter, florals, flourishes and even Roman capitals.
That kind of thing really keeps the spark alive!
3. Take breaks from the hustle
You don’t have to monetize every skill or moment. You don’t have to constantly feed the algorithm.
Truthfully, it’s really difficult for me now to practice without the thought of, “How will I use this for a gig?” But, it’s important to keep some things for you.
I know another well-known calligrapher that refuses to offer a certain hot activation because she’s learning it just for herself. I respect that. Very few are doing it in her area and she could get a lot of traction before anyone else decides to jump on that train. Many calligraphers would jump on it while the iron is hot. But, she has chosen herself over the hustle. And there’s beauty and joy in that.
Step away. Paint something just because. Letter a quote that no one will ever see. Make something for you. Let your creativity breathe.
4. Create boundaries that protect your peace
“Free exposure” doesn’t pay emotional rent (it doesn’t pay actual rent either, but, I digress). Protect your energy, your schedule and your self-respect, even from friends when you have to.
And while I just made the point that money isn’t everything when taking a gig, there’s nothing that will kill your joy faster than being taken advantage of by people who are supposed to support you. Becca Courtice of the Happy Ever Crafter uses a great principle, “Full price or free.” Check out this video where she’s discussing pricing here.
Say “no” when you need to. The clients who value your time and your worth will wait.
Remember Your Why
We can always remember why we started our business. I catch myself smiling while engraving a bottle at a gig and it always brings me back to how far my “little hobby” has come. In those moments, I’m so grateful.
But, do we ever take the time to remember why we started our craft in the first place?
To actually contemplate the word ‘remember’ brings to mind the action of piecing things back together again.
Before you made your first dollar with it, you likely started this craft because it brought peace and quieted your mind. It brought you joy during a rough patch of life. It helped you stress less. Couldn’t we all use a little of that right now?
Joy doesn’t disappear when your hobby becomes your hustle…it just needs more care.
You can still love what you do and earn from it and provide for your loved ones. You can still chase excellence without losing wonder. You can still be a business owner without burying the artist inside.
So, take a breath. Remember why you started. And when the hustle starts to feel heavy, go back to that quiet, joyful place — the one where it all began.
Your scribbling likely looks a lot more mature now than it did back then, 100%. But, the joy is still waiting there.
When your job feels like purpose and peace, you know you’re in the right place. 😌
Have you ever lost your joy chasing your dream? I’d love to hear how you found your way back. Shoot me an email or see you on the socials!
