#11 Living a Creative Life, Simplicity and Not Worrying About Money - a podcast by Michelle Boyde

Do you want to live as a artist? Listen to this for a goose bump giving description of living in flow!

My guest today is Catherine Hiller. Originally from France, she worked on the business side of advertising and communication in the UK and Australia for 20 years. Painting was always her passion from a young age and she always pursued it outside of work, until six years ago, when she quit my job to become a full-time artist – and have never looked back! 

In today’s episode we talk about how that moment she had to leave came quicker than expected, living a creative life and how not worrying about money brings her more:

• [2.13]  “You’re always told being an artist is not a job, you cannot make money with.” 
• [4.00]  When Catherine went to get an eftpos machine at the bank, there was no box for artist, so she had to tick “painter decorator”, because and artist is not a job. 
• [5.00]  She loved her job for many years and the passion tuned into obligation. Stressful and didn’t enjoy it anymore. The more stressed she got the more she painted. She would paint until midnight. The more she painted, the more reaction she got, she sold more work. The thought came if you’re giving it only a tiny part of your time and energy, what if you gave it 100%?
• [6.37] Conference call with a client. And she thought: “I don’t care what you are saying, it’s not important anymore.” Said to colleague: “I cannot do this anymore.” The colleague said you’ve got to tell them! 
• [8.00] You can always go back – there is never any true risk. It’s not irreversible. If you see it as a life changing decision, it’s a bit scary. But not if you look at it as trying something for six months.
• [9.46] Catherine calls it the Freedom Fund, I call it the Fuck Off Fund – she always had it. 
• [11.25] When you are happy and doing what you love, you don’t need to spend that much. 
• [13.40] There is a lot of freedom when you realise you don’t need much money to live on. The shift in money mindset from 9-5, knowing where it’s coming from. Catherine says just don’t worry about it. She doesn’t worry where money is going to come from. The less you worry about it, the more it comes to you.
• [14.54] Laws of manifestation – you amplify what you focus on. So, if you focus on not having enough money, you attract not having more money.
• [17.38] I said to my boss: “My time is not my own, I don’t have any control over it.” 
• [18.47] Covid: People were at home more, looking at blank walls, not spending money in restaurants and her website traffic went up 267%. She received enquires like she has never had. Art makes people feel happy.
• [20.18] “Prisoner of their own mind”: Catherine’s expression for those people who want to leave their career but don’t. 
• [25.25] Living flow – living from a creative space. Catherine can only paint for 2-3 hours per day, feels like it’s not her painting. 
• [28.14] Catherine’s tips to begin the change: what do you love doing the most. Doesn’t need to be a job. Work back from that. Don’t think about money or status. If I was given $10m tomorrow would I still be doing this job tomorrow? Nothing is irreversible.

You can follow Catherine’s beautiful painting on Instagram or on her website.

Want to learn how to build your Fuck Off Fund? Pre-register for my FREE Masterclass in January 2021 here.

Thinking about leaving your career or exploring a work evolution of your own? Get Floetic’s FREE Roadmap and Workbook: Should I Leave My Career? Get it here.

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