When It Feels Like Your Career Efforts Just Aren’t Enough

If you’re reading this right now, you’re probably going through a rough patch career-wise and need something to relate to. You’ve vented to friends, family and sadly even on Facebook where you’re sometimes made to feel as if you’re crazy. Unfortunately, some simple love and support seems like a foreign concept. I feel you and I am here to tell you that you are not alone.

I started my writing and music journalism journey right here at Buzznet almost 5 years ago. Over those years, I learned so much about the industry while I worked my butt off to make everything that I have now a reality. I’m now freelancing for Buzznet while I own and operate my own music site, The Daily Listening. I love what I do. I love being in charge for TDL. I love making an artist’s day by featuring them on Buzznet, especially if they’ve grown up reading the site! My ultimate goal is to be an editor – which I already am over at TDL…but let’s be real here: no matter how hard a person works at bringing money in from a blog, it’s quite disheartening when you realize that income is scarce and your efforts feel like they’re falling on deaf ears in a sea of music blogs.

I hate to sound like I’m complaining all the time but a girl needs to vent! I’ve done countless band features, interviews, album & show reviews and exclusive content over the years to know the bitter truth that nobody really cares about any of this stuff – at least that’s how it feels sometimes. I work closely with PR, managers and artists themselves to ensure the best content for their clients but sometimes a lot of it doesn’t even see the light of day due to lack of promotion from PR or the band. There’s only so many times you can share a link on social media without everyone falling sick of it to the point where it starts to feel like spam. I think the hardest thing I have to witness is not having support from those I’ve supported immensely in the past – whether it be friends or people I admire/love working with. I’ve come to the realization that this industry is a cutthroat selfish mess and no matter how much I try to grow a thicker skin, I’m too sensitive for this shit.

If you’re a writer/blogger yourself, I’m sure you understand the lack of appreciation and the horror of checking your bank account. I’m sure you’ve all experienced the chore of having to explain what your job entails to people who don’t understand the issues (or let’s be honest, politics) you face on a daily basis. I know it’s part of the job. I know it isn’t supposed to be sunshine and rainbows all the time. I know life isn’t fair. But is it so hard to put yourself in somebody else’s shoes and see things from their perspective? Why is it so hard to support those who have supported you? Why must I feel like I’m forcing artists and PR to promote what I was pitched to produce in the first place? This may be how things are, but I’m fighting with all I have for it to change as I take names in the process.

Sure, there are plenty of other things I could be doing with my life, but I chose this. Not because I’m a “lazy millennial” but because I love it. I treat everything I do with the utmost importance and respect and I’m tired of feeling like I’m being used. I’m tired of the half-assed crap I deal with everyday, which makes me wonder if I’m too much of a perfectionist for any of this. I just want both sites, and my career in general, to grow but I can’t do that if nobody listens.

Here’s the unfortunate yet comforting thing: no matter what career path you take, this is all normal. Being fed up is normal. Being used and walked on is normal. Being underpaid and cranky is normal. All of this crap is normal and while it’s unfair af, we have to remember why we do what we do while setting some ground rules for those who abuse you and your talents. By doing so, we’re starting a foundation for a better work-life where we’re not crippled with anxiety and aggravation every time a new submission comes in. I’ve spent so much time and effort on everything I’ve accomplished so far and call me crazy, but I don’t want to dread work for the rest of my life.

All of this may be “normal,” but I’ll be damned if it’s going to stay that way. I can’t bear the thought of not getting anywhere with this path I have chosen. I’ve already walked too damn far to call it quits.