One of the longest power cuts so far all year occurred today, from 8am to 3pm roughly. I guess Sunday is the day to do it. Of course cryptocurrency has no weekends and we trade 24/7. I also write and publish 7 days a week if possible. So now that the power is back on, I have just had a moment to check up on my online business. And things are looking profitable.
While I was offline, I still had a customer make a purchase of one of my NFT collage artworks from my gallery wall on the Hive blockchain. That was enough to make up for the seven hours without power. Not that I’m too affected by the power outage, since I have prepared for it by investing in a solar panel and battery kit. The only loss was the internet.
I kept my computer going as well as my loud amp and speaker, and it sounded like I was the only one with power in the neighborhood today. I cranked up the volume to make up for the deprivation of power, kind of flexing my own power, so to speak, and showing that I am self-sufficient. Thanks to the sun of course.
So without the usual internet access, I spent the hours making another collage to mint as the next artwork. The sales are inspiring me to keep creating more original creative pictures, like the ones already minted and on display. So far I have 10 up for sale, and today’s will be ready soon for the next minting.
Ah, the joys of a life as an amateur artist. Amateur is a word originating from the Latin word for love, meaning one who does it for the love of it. Somehow the word amateur has gained somewhat derogatory connotations in modern parlance but actually it’s great being an amateur. For a start there are no expectations. It’s like being a hobbyist. You do it as a pastime, or a mediation or purely for pleasure. No boss is looking over your shoulder, no deadlines. It’s all spontaneous.
Minting my artworks as NFTs (non-fungible tokens) on the Hive blockchain and putting them up for sale on my gallery wall is a new endeavor. And since they are selling, do I now call myself a professional? That’s in contrast to an amateur, since now I am making art for a living, or for profit. It has now become a new business, by the looks of it. Well those who adapt, are versatile and have diverse income streams during these times of pandemic and global financial turmoil, are more likely to survive.
My old income stream from before lockdown has almost dried up, so I have been forced to adapt. Fortunately hobbies or sideline activities like writing this blog and now minting my art into NFT is bringing in another source of income. In this way I can continue my simple lifestyle, working for myself as my own boss at my own pace.
You could call me an amateur professional. Some days I’m also a professional amateur. It’s hard to tell which is which but both work out to be fine as long as I alternate them from day to day. I don’t want to be pigeon-holed or stuck in a rut. Variety is the spice of my life. Without it things would get a bit boring. The brain needs rich and varied experiences to really grow.
With travel and my old work stream much less a part of the program, these other online activities and income sources are a blessing, all thanks to cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. In this way it’s empowering us self-employed people who now work from home, in the online digital industry. I aim to grow the art business, and will of course continue publishing the blog.
“Do what you love”, as the saying goes, and you will be successful as well as happy. I love my lifestyle so much that I do it seven days a week, and have for some years now. I feel like I’m at the office every day, from dawn to dusk and beyond. And it’s all because I love it. I can’t wait to get to the office desk or the art studio to crank out some more original creative content. And it pays, especially if you keep at it and have minimal overheads or expenses in life.
This streamlined existence is bringing out the best in me, and anyone can do it. With just a computer and the internet I can work and make money as a writer and artist. What a beautiful life. I hope you can say the same about your life. If you can’t then you can always make some changes, or make better choices for your future so that you can have a life where you do what you love.
“Follow your bliss” or perhaps your heart, and it will bring out the best in you. You are the captain of your own ship, so sail it according to your choice of direction on the Open Sea of life.