Take this job and shove it

I like to think I have some talent, whether or not actually I do. I used to really love doing design work but now, the feeling comes and goes. Sometimes I get discouraged and just can't get the creative juices going. Other times I wonder why the hell I am doing this? I mean, there are a bazillion people out there much more talented me. Who do I think I am? But the best of times, I can sit at my computer (children willing) for hours upon hours not having quick enough fingers to manipulate my mouse to recreate what I see in my head.

Now it's not like I have a whole slew of work going on on the side. In fact I have tried to get my portfolio together on a few occasions in an attempt to peddle my designs across the internet in hopes that one single person will jump at the chance to own something I have created. Fact of the matter is the most "business" I have had as of late has really ticked me off. Some of them feel my quote was too high. Which granted, it can seem expensive sometimes but most people don't know the work involved in designing. You want paper manufactured from banana trees in Ecuador? You're going to have to pay for it. Would you work for $5/hour? I doubt it, so don't expect me to. But what really bothers me the most? When I do pro bono work, in addition to having no manners, you feel you can take advantage of me. It's these "jobs" that make me not want to design anymore.

I keep telling myself that "this job" will be the last of it. That I will not be a pushover. That I will take the time for my own designs and get myself "out there". In the meantime, I have an invite to design that needs to be done yesterday.