There is only one self- with many roles.
I bought into the idea that borrowing from my “non-artistic” roles to boost my artistic role would somehow end with success- that all parts of me would benefit. What I learned was that by starving parts of myself, my achievements lost all value once they were in my hands. Very little was left to enjoy or sustain these rewards .
But, this is the standard approach for most people.
Starve one part to thrive in another.
Despite the convention, success will never be determined by how hard you hit your head against the wall. Often, those walls are parts of yourself telling you they will go no further until fed. The more you push against them, the more you hurt yourself.
Although I wouldn’t claim to know how artistic success should be determined for everyone- for me- it means growing holistically: Not subjugating or ignoring one part of myself for another so that when higher levels of success come my way, I will be ready to enjoy and maintain them.
If I am going to succeed, all me has to make it. Otherwise, no one is left to enjoy it.