You're right, John. People often have a very skewed idea of our profession. They don't actually see the work part. We make it look effortless.
It's just not true.
We have tight deadlines that we have to pull all-nighters to meet, we often have to compromise our own artistic vision to meet someone else's idea or budget, and we have to put ourselves forward every day to get work.
Sometimes, we even have to fight for our money.
It's a lot of hard work.
On the other hand, I can work in my pajamas and take a day off without asking. A traffic jam on my commute consists of two dogs trying to beat each other to the treat jar, and I don't have to work in a cube.
Best of all, I have an empathetic and reasonable boss!
Sometimes, even I forget how much work it is. :-)
Janee