I know we've had a couple of discussions here, back and forth, about setting becoming more of an established, respected profession, but I am curious how many folks out there are involved with setting as more of a secondary pursuit, while focusing their primary energies on a typical 9-to-5. My own situation is that I have a great job, that pays way more than I could ever make doing things related to climbing, and I really love it.
I also love to set routes. The conflict between the two happens in several places - one being that typical setting times tend to conflict with the 9 to 5 schedule. Another is that the work schedule can make it difficult to keep a regular setting schedule.
In a way, I look at setting as my only artistic outlet - there are setters who do it as a job, just as there are artists who make their livings doing their art. For every one painter who has space in a gallery to sell paintings, there are many, many more who paint for the joy of it, regardless of whether they get paid or not. I consider myself someone who sets for the same reasons - the only hurdle is that, as gyms strive for a more professional setting crew (a great thing, by the way!), some of us "hobbyist setters" lose our access to a creative outlet.
Given the choice between the two, I'd rather set for free than for pay - for the same reasons a musician might prefer to make music for free - mostly creative freedom and the lack of sense that I've turned an enjoyable hobby into a sometimes-tedious job. As the commercial gyms become more professional, it's great for most people, but I do feel that I am losing a chance to express myself, as fewer and fewer places welcome "hobby" setters.
Any thoughts, especially from people who juggle a full time job with their setting, on how to reconcile the two?