Therapy is Great! Money is Better!

Originally published June 11, 2024

In my opinion, therapy is a great tool. But what if you can’t afford therapy? What if your basic needs are barely being met?

This is an all too common scenario as an artist, and one I have found myself in more than once. We often work our asses off for very little monetary compensation in exchange for shiny resumes. I have been in a position where I was working three jobs and couldn’t afford groceries. There was a period in my life where I was housing insecure and had to live with friends and family for several years. It's humbling to admit that, and in each of these scenarios, therapy wasn’t going to help…but money (and proper compensation) would!

In our most recent episode, I chat with David Maurice Sharp, a financial literacy educator. Twenty years ago, David was a successful modern dancer, but he was broke. He found himself in a Wall Street day job and began applying the knowledge from it to his personal finances. His friends started asking him for advice and he realized there was a need for financial education among artists. David eventually wrote a book, The Thriving Artist, a guide to saving and investing for artists. He currently offers free classes on financial literacy for artists.

David and I walk through several different scenarios for artists at different stages in their careers and in their financial planning. He has some great practical advice that can be implemented in baby steps. You can pursue a creative career and also thrive financially. It doesn’t have to be either/or!

Check out David's episode here.

If you are struggling with housing or food insecurity, please reach out to the folks at the Entertainment Community Fund. There are resources and services available to you.

And if you’re in need of a pick-me-up, check out this great song about not letting anxiety rule your life.

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Thanks for sharing part of your day with Anxiety and the Artist. Be healthy. Stay creative.

-Allison and the A&A team