5 Reasons Why Doing What You Love Sucks (Sometimes)

Following your passion has its own set of obstacles

Me — probably noticing a stage light is out

I’m a musician.

I’m a singer/songwriter, and a halfway serviceable guitar player. For the most part, that’s all I’ve ever been, and truly, all I ever wanted to be.

From the age of 9, when I first AC/DC rattling my little clock radio, my destiny was carved in stone. Not all of the sordid details, mind you, but the general trajectory.

I loved music and I was gonna learn to play it. A real job was never an option for me.

I know that a lot of people struggle with who they want to be and what they want to do with their life, so I’m extremely grateful that I never had that issue. It was never a question for me; I was bound and determined to do what I loved.

As the old saying goes, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” The idea of no work had a nice ring to it, so I was completely on board.

What I’ve discovered over my 30-some years of playing music is that, quite frankly, that quote is bullshit. I probably should have read the fine print.

I still love to play music, but whatever you do to make a living, there’s gonna be…