Out of curiosity… Do some of you feel like this… you have been investing years and years into your training and building your CV, you get some good successes and when you get them and the job/s are over, your back to living the same old lifestyle you have had and have to still work a day job and its been 9yrs of this constant up/down success hill that when working in day jobs you feel like inside all you want to do is scream every day because you hate it, despite knowing that you must have a day job because you have to make a living to pay the bills and to afford your career but that you are living a double life, one that you absolutely cannot stand where it makes you angry, sad, depressed 40hours a week, five days and people at work after knowing that you are an actor treat you like a pet in some zoo or try to be your buddy coz they either want you to help them out with there career or to know someone “famous” because they literally have no life and do not realise that us actors are normal people deep down inside. Every day at 8am when you have to get up five days a week, you either pull lots of sickies and cant be arsed going into work that you may almost loose your day job but you virtually just don’t care and sick to death of it, like you want to either run away from this horrible life or feel so angry that you may want to hit everything that is in front of you that doesn’t understand you….

Has anyone ever felt like this before? What have you done in this situation? Carried on, or left that life despite how broke one gets in order to be free and no longer feel like you have to be chained to a life you really hate?

If you did change your lifestyle, did it go well? Or did it become even worse than before that you regretted that decision, that it was a huge big mistake and you suddenly wish you appreciated your old life despite all the “little” problems with it that seemed so big at the time?

Curious to know peoples thoughts?

I think this is something every artist goes through.

You either gather your strength and press on, or you leave the theatre.

I agree with Jon K. Well said.

I think it's good for the body and soul to get some R&R. take some time off and go visit your family or something, if your job doesn't permit, go during the holiday season.

also think if the happiness you get from acting is worth suffering through the dreadful day-jobs. which goes along with what Jon K said.

I agree with what everyone else has said. Most actors and artists need a day job. Even after they start making some cash from their art. I have numerous friends who have had great success as actors who find it necessary to still maintain a 'civilian' job to pay bills.

If your passion cannot keep you going, then it might be time to rethink your situation. We all go through what you're going through, and it is good to take breaks and go for short trips, etc. that are inexpensive and refreshing.

But I think there comes a time for all artists, especially as they age,(I'm 40!) to reconsider their lives and say..Is the struggle worth it? Only you have that answer.

Hopefully, your dreams can give you strength.
What used to help me, is that I tried to think how my day job was helping people. If you can go to a job, that you especially hate, and think how you are helping others, even if it's waiting tables, it will make you feel a little better about yourself and hopefully give you some pleasure knowing you may be making someone's day a little easier. Most of the time, we create our own hell in our mind.

Happiness is a state of mind. Not a place, an acting job, a thing or a person.

OP is sick of users and wants to come to LA- LOL.