I'm 41, single and childless. I've worked in insurance, waited on tables, sold cosmetics, cared for the disabled, been a proofreader and a phone collections person. I even briefly worked as a dominatrix. I'm glad I've put my hands to so many things.

Ideally, I'd be making a living telling stories through writing, art and performance. So far, I've only done these things for fun.

I find it incredibly difficult to follow my bliss. It took me a decade to get up the nerve to go to college and six years to finish my degree. Every time I approach the easel or the blank computer screen, lots of negative garbage from my past gets in the way. ("that's a stupid idea, this is no way to make a living, you'll never be good enough," etc.) I have to expend lots of energy fighting off those demons before I can reach a balanced place to create.

I'll never stop fighting, but it's exhausting. I always hope it will get easier.