--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't enjoy the work that I do. It's…" description: "\"I don't enjoy the work that I do. It's just that it's not self-sustaining anymore. The way that I like to make records - they're expensive records to m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/847/natalie-merchant-15980_enjoy_i-don-t-enjoy-the-work-that-i-do-it-s-ju_1611063.jpg" --- # I don't enjoy the work that I do. It's just that it's not… ![“I don't enjoy the work that I do. It's just that it's not self-sustaining anymore. The way that I like to make records - they're expensive records to make and just can't afford to do it anymore.” quote by Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/847/natalie-merchant-15980_enjoy_i-don-t-enjoy-the-work-that-i-do-it-s-ju_1611063.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/847/natalie-merchant-15980_enjoy_i-don-t-enjoy-the-work-that-i-do-it-s-ju_1611063.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/847/natalie-merchant-15980_enjoy_i-don-t-enjoy-the-work-that-i-do-it-s-ju_1611063.jpg) > “I don't enjoy the work that I do. It's just that it's not self-sustaining anymore. The way that I like to make records - they're expensive records to make and just can't afford to do it anymore.” [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She feels her creative work is no longer financially viable, leading to frustration and loss of passion. **In simple terms:** Work feels unsustainable and unfulfilling. Key Takeaway Find sustainable ways to fund creative projects. Themes creativity financial strain artistic fulfillment Mood frustrated reflective Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - independent music production - crowdfunding - grant applications - budget planning Key Concepts sustainability economic pressure creative burnout Questions to Reflect On - How can artists balance passion with income? - What alternative funding models exist? A Different Perspective Financial constraints can limit artistic expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [I don't make records to win awards. I make records to make records and hopefully make the records as good as they can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-stapleton/i-don-t-make-records-to-win-awards-i-make-records-to-make-records-and/) [Chris Stapleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-stapleton/) > [I started DJ-ing in the '90s. DJ-ing is in every record I do. When I make records I make them for DJs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-jon/i-started-dj-ing-in-the-90s-dj-ing-is-in-every-record-i-do-when-i/) [Lil Jon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-jon/) > [Being in this game if you are gonna sell drugs and make records too then as many records you make is gonna be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakim/being-in-this-game-if-you-are-gonna-sell-drugs-and-make-records-too/) [Rakim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakim/) > [I really didn't think I was going to make records to where I make a living out of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaggy/i-really-didn-t-think-i-was-going-to-make-records-to-where-i-make-a/) [Shaggy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaggy/) > [If it was all about me, I'd do a whole lot of pop records, make a whole lot of money, just rake in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/if-it-was-all-about-me-i-d-do-a-whole-lot-of-pop-records-make-a-whole/) [Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/) > [So yeah, it's nothing that I'm doing on purpose, I just think that the more records, the more songs that I write, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-chesney/so-yeah-it-s-nothing-that-i-m-doing-on-purpose-i-just-think-that-the/) [Kenny Chesney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-chesney/) > [The way I go about writing records is that I make a calendar date to start the new record, so I have nothing. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/the-way-i-go-about-writing-records-is-that-i-make-a-calendar-date-to/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [I mean, just like every other prominent songwriter or producer, you have the shot. You send in records and if they make it, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryce-wilson/i-mean-just-like-every-other-prominent-songwriter-or-producer-you/) [Bryce Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryce-wilson/) > [If the records that I make have one thing in common, it's that there is little recapitulation, and the idea is that it should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-grubbs/if-the-records-that-i-make-have-one-thing-in-common-it-s-that-there/) [David Grubbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-grubbs/) > [I care about the records I make and I love writing songs and some songs are really dear to me and they mean something.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-plaskett/i-care-about-the-records-i-make-and-i-love-writing-songs-and-some/) [Joel Plaskett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-plaskett/) > [There are no calculations in the records I make. I record as many songs as I can. Songs that I think are my best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-trent-d-arby/there-are-no-calculations-in-the-records-i-make-i-record-as-many/) [Terence Trent D'Arby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-trent-d-arby/) > [I get most of my inspiration from older records and older production styles, and that ends up rearing its head in the records that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/i-get-most-of-my-inspiration-from-older-records-and-older-production/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [I don't take off as many days as most other producers and songwriters, so I'm working every single day, and I do songs every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rico-love/i-don-t-take-off-as-many-days-as-most-other-producers-and-songwriters/) [Rico Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rico-love/) > [ I think 'Elbow' were considered successful even before \[2008's\] Seldom Seen Kid because we were living off the band. We have a great manager… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-garvey/i-think-elbow-were-considered-successful-even-before-2008-s-seldom/) [Guy Garvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-garvey/) > [I make hit records. I make hit records to motivate the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fat-joe/i-make-hit-records-i-make-hit-records-to-motivate-the-people/) [Fat Joe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fat-joe/) ## More by Natalie Merchant > [By calling it a memoir, I meant is as a collection of memories. I thought it was (a more) artful (title) than documentary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/by-calling-it-a-memoir-i-meant-is-as-a-collection-of-memories-i/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [I don't have a lot of thrilling anecdotes about my career or personal life. All the stuff that is interesting is private and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/i-don-t-have-a-lot-of-thrilling-anecdotes-about-my-career-or-personal/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [I feel we all have the obligation, myself. I want to live in a more humane, civilized society, and I feel like the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/i-feel-we-all-have-the-obligation-myself-i-want-to-live-in-a-more/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [It's funny, I remember doing the Johnny Carson show, and, uh, I couldn't afford my rent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/it-s-funny-i-remember-doing-the-johnny-carson-show-and-uh-i-couldn-t/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [I've found out how overwhelming the media is and the way it drills things into your head, it's almost like a mind control. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/i-ve-found-out-how-overwhelming-the-media-is-and-the-way-it-drills/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [I wish I had appreciated my youth - I should have worn tighter clothing when I could have!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/i-wish-i-had-appreciated-my-youth-i-should-have-worn-tighter-clothing/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [My mother was a single working mother; she started having children very young. There was a tension inside her about who she wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/my-mother-was-a-single-working-mother-she-started-having-children/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [I don't think women's prisons are environments for dance routines, and I don't think mass murder is humorous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/i-don-t-think-women-s-prisons-are-environments-for-dance-routines-and/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [Be true to yourself, and, um, don't worry about some large companies' quarterly profit index.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/be-true-to-yourself-and-um-don-t-worry-about-some-large-companies/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [I've never sold my publishing. I have 100% control of all of my publishing and that includes everything, every use of my songs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/i-ve-never-sold-my-publishing-i-have-100-control-of-all-of-my/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [For your kindness, I'm in debt to you. For your selflessness, my admiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/for-your-kindness-i-m-in-debt-to-you-for-your-selflessness-my/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [For they told you life is hard Misery from the start, It's dull, it's slow, it's painful But I tell you life is sweet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/for-they-told-you-life-is-hard-misery-from-the-start-it-s-dull-it-s/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [When it came time to sequence the album, the new arrangements really demanded a different order. They were so different than they were before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/when-it-came-time-to-sequence-the-album-the-new-arrangements-really/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [I don't want to live in a culture of despair. I'd like to live in a culture of hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/i-don-t-want-to-live-in-a-culture-of-despair-i-d-like-to-live-in-a/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [I've raised my daughter with no television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/i-ve-raised-my-daughter-with-no-television/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) [Explore all 41 Natalie Merchant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) ## More Enjoy quotes > [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/) [Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [The Fringe is by far my favorite time of year; I like everything about it. But there are people I know who are much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-horne/the-fringe-is-by-far-my-favorite-time-of-year-i-like-everything-about/) [Alex Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-horne/) > [I remember that the bass was turned up slightly more on the mix from last week, and I thought that was good - or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ronson/i-remember-that-the-bass-was-turned-up-slightly-more-on-the-mix-from/) [Mark Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ronson/) > [The Germans will make a few scattered attacks, then go away. The Romans will enjoy a fine September.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pietro-badoglio/the-germans-will-make-a-few-scattered-attacks-then-go-away-the-romans/) Pietro Badoglio > [I don't enjoy killing, but when done righteously, it's just a chore, like any other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua/i-don-t-enjoy-killing-but-when-done-righteously-it-s-just-a-chore/) [Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua/) > [I enjoy upsetting the right people. I love poking fun at earnest censors. I want to push the bounds of what can be said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milo-yiannopoulos/i-enjoy-upsetting-the-right-people-i-love-poking-fun-at-earnest/) [Milo Yiannopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milo-yiannopoulos/) > [I don't own a yacht or a flashy car. I've always had safe cars because I do so much driving. I don't think I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-rippon/i-don-t-own-a-yacht-or-a-flashy-car-i-ve-always-had-safe-cars-because/) [Angela Rippon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-rippon/) > [I really enjoy going to play for the national team and be with the guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cedi-osman/i-really-enjoy-going-to-play-for-the-national-team-and-be-with-the/) [Cedi Osman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cedi-osman/) > [The evening's the best part of the day. You've done your day's work. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kazuo-ishiguro/the-evening-s-the-best-part-of-the-day-you-ve-done-your-day-s-work/) [Kazuo Ishiguro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kazuo-ishiguro/) > [I really enjoy hosting, not necessarily because it provides more airtime, but because it allows me to be a part of more substantive discussions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-ponder/i-really-enjoy-hosting-not-necessarily-because-it-provides-more/) [Samantha Ponder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-ponder/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) > [Today it is the skeptics who are the social conformists, though because of powerful intellectual propaganda they continue to enjoy thinking of themselves as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/today-it-is-the-skeptics-who-are-the-social-conformists-though/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [Certainly, it is. Love is love, and loss is loss. We all love, and we all die, and everyone suffers the pain of grieving.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynsay-sands/certainly-it-is-love-is-love-and-loss-is-loss-we-all-love-and-we-all/) [Lynsay Sands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynsay-sands/) Browse all 13,068 Enjoy quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't enjoy the work that I do. It's just that it's not self-sustaining anymore. 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