How to be a creative with a full-time job

and not lose your mind

I work for an education consulting company, meaning I help rich kids with their college applications. It is the opposite of poetry. It’s editing an activity description of a bake sale the student has zero recollection of doing. It’s ugly jargon—FAFSA, waitlisted, early decision. It’s essay after essay on “where I was and what it felt like when my grandma died.” So, I’ve been out in the borderlands, gently toying with the idea of going bonkers, eying the horizon like it’s the glow of an exit sign.

Relax. I said TOYING. I said LIKE the glow.

I am Perfectly Content and Totally At Peace. How? My life is full of hacks to survive and thrive(ish) as a creative with a full-time job, hacks I will share with you today (and a new poem).

Now, you too can get by. You too can make everything work.