Letters to the Editor
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I only have observations and more questions...
A few observations- she didn't say her man never worked, just that he hasn't worked the last year (they've been together for five). Maybe he's taken four years to set her up as a cash cow... maybe not. I think he should get a job, of some kind, but I don't know if he's the blood-sucking cockroach other posters have hinted at.
I also tend to agree with Cary that moving to the city may give you a shot of energy, but that energy will most likely be squandered by having to struggle to pay the bills. And, even if you did that, the city has many shiny things that can distract from your work on the art.
And work on the art is key. Key. Are you working on the art now? Consistantly? Not just when your muse shows up drunk and looking to score? 'Cause it takes work, you know. ARe you doing the work on your art now? Even when it's the last thing you want to screw with? 'Cause if you aren't, then you won't be if/when you move somewhere else. Again, you might get a boost in energy and drive, but without good habits (habits about working hard on your art), that energy will be squandered.
But then, speaking of energy and squandering, I think a lot of people misunderstand the whole 'soul-crushing 9-5 job' thing. Everyone's case is different, of course, but a lot of the artistic types I know admit to this: Obviously, the 12 hour days really drain the energy, but the four hour days, the three hour days, drain it even worse. I think it has something to do with spending (squandering) all your willpower in just not leaving you're job when you feel you are done. You have no willpower left to invest in the art at the end of the day. Or maybe it's guilt... you didn't work for your boss, so you won't work for yourself either. I don't know.
So, that would be my question, does the job wear you out because you are so over-worked, or is it so slow (or you are so good at it) that you have a lot of time on your hands- time that you can do absolutely nothing with because you're at work? If either of those situations is happening, I'd suggest you try to find a job that doesn't drive you crazy, pays the bills, and fills your time while you are there. With that in hand, you can have consistant focus and energy to apply to your art.