the struggle

hi it's me. maddie.

where did the term, "struggling actor" or "struggling writer" come from? Why is nobody a "struggling plumber" or "struggling doctor"? huh?

Most people in LA are struggling "whatevers."

"yah, I'm working at starbucks, but what I really wanna do is write. I guess you could say im a "struggling writer" haha gotta put bread on the table, you know how that is..."

Imagine this conversation as follows:

"Well I'm living at home and collecting unemployment, but I'm hoping to be a dentist one day. My family calls me the "struggling dentist" of the family. I guess I'm the black sheep. hah."

Why is an artist in pursuit of their career allowed to be "struggling"? Why does that preface make it somehow a psuedo-career whereas everyone else is just unemployed until they reach their desired occupation? Why are some careers allowed to struggle for the first few years?

Because the "struggling" preface is only paired with actors, writers, artists, directors (maybe)...it is highly reflective on the "LA" lifestyle.

I like to categorize LA people as unemployed elitists. Angelenos are self-aware yet undeservedly pretentious. Mind you, I consider myself a part of this superifcial culture and can lash insults as a part of this in-group. The LA person thinks too highly or him/herself and this self reverence is unwarranted especially because most of us are "struggling" to "make it" i.e. unemployed or working at restaurants.

Because so many of us are quote-un-quote struggling, we should be alot more humble. When asked "what do you do?" why can't we answer honestly and say "my parents pay my rent currently so I can write screenplays on my laptop." Real talk, yo. Instead of the answer we do give, "Oh, I'm a 'struggling screenwriter'..." C'mon Los Angeles. Let's all stop thinking so highly of ourselves??

Now, I'm not condoning that you stop pursuing you're dreams. Not at all. And when asked what you want to do with your life, tell people you want to be an actor and not just that you work at a coffee shop.

But for realsies? Who began coining the term "struggling"? Let's just classify the entire 22-28 year old age bracket as "struggling professional person" and eliminate the confusion.

career got you down? yah, me too.

Oh, happy holidays.

mads.