I’m not sure if you are aware of this, but writing is not my “day job.” That is to say: writing is not how I pay my bills. It is not how I make the money which sustains my living. I have a job for that fully separate from my creative work.

But I still call writing my work because it absolutely is. It is also my passion and my craft. I hear from a lot of creatives who are afraid to call themselves writers or artists because they are so used to defining themselves as whatever their “day job” title is. But I always let them know that in my view, your work is your work however you decide to define it.

I promise you this: not one beautiful thing, given in generous love, with genuine joy, is ever wasted. Not one thing. Not ever.

Here is a little piece I wrote about this very concept, namely that our true work in the world is whatever inspires us to be the most generous. Our true work is whatever inspires us to be the most generous. Isn’t that exactly the opposite of what we are taught? We are taught to seek a job that gives us the most, but what if we re-claim the word “work” and define it as whatever inspires us to be the most generous? Whatever we love creating and most desire to give away no matter what? How would that change the way you approach your craft?

If your day job is a job to pay the bills, totally cool (and wicked responsible). Just don’t forget that your creative work is your work, too—your soul work. And one does not negate the other.

Artists and writers do the crucial work of allowing the rest of the world to see itself. We do the important work of inspiring, taking away the burden of life for a while. Everyone needs that, a spark of imagination, joy, inspiration, and I will just say it: relief. Yes. We are the arms and bones of the world, we build sanctuaries for the heart and places of respite for the weary souls beaten down by the tough stuff life throws at them.

Everyone has rough days, moments, and experiences. No human is immune to stress or fear or sadness. The artists are the ones who crawl into those dark places and bring a candle, bring warmth, who hold the sacred space for feeling, compassion, and understanding.

Artists and writers do the crucial work of inspiring, taking away the burden of life for a while.

That is such worthy work, friend. The good work of bringing wonder, humor, perspective, awe, contemplation, reflection, sensuality, beauty, love, magic. It is all worthy. Think of a world with no paintings, no music, no poetry, no literature, no photography. How terribly bleak a thought.

So I hope you will spend more time this month being proud of your precious artistry and your creative gifts. Not because art may or may not make you money, but because it makes you feel so good to give it away.

I promise you this: not one beautiful thing, given in generous love, with genuine joy, is ever wasted. Not one thing. Not ever.

Allison Marie Conway has been writing poetry since she was ten years old, and is now the author of two published books. Every Monday she sends out a little love letter to fellow kindred creatives. You can sign up to receive these, and find out more about Allison, at her website.