He says I won’t be able to make a living from art. I’m really confused. Should I follow my dream or my dad’s plan?
I want to be an artist
Dear Guru,
I’m a 21-year-old guy. My father is a businessman, and he wants me to help him run his business. That’s why he pushed me into business school. I’ve just completed my BBA, and now he wants me to apply to IBA for an MBA.
But Guru, my heart has always been in fine arts. I want to be a painter. I’ve never been interested in business. Back in school, my art teachers said I had real potential and encouraged me to pursue painting seriously. But my father thinks there’s no future for artists in our country. He says I won’t be able to make a living from art. I’m really confused. Should I follow my dream or my dad’s plan?
Aspiring Artist
Dear Aspiring Artist,
You’re not alone - many young people in Pakistan face the same dilemma: passion versus practicality. Your father is right in his way because Pakistan’s art industry is small, and few artists make it big. The audience for fine art is limited, and it can take years to earn a stable income from painting alone.
But that doesn’t mean you should give up your dream. Instead of thinking in terms of either/or, try thinking in terms of both/and. Since you’ve already completed your BBA, doing an MBA could give you a strong backup plan, and it is possible that the business skills you gain will help you promote and sell your art in the future.
In the meantime, don’t let your paintbrush gather dust. Keep painting. Build a portfolio, share your work on Instagram or Behance, take part in local exhibitions or online art contests, and connect with galleries or art communities. You could even explore digital art, illustrations or designing as these fields are growing fast and don’t rely on traditional art buyers.
You have passion, and all you need is persistence and planning. If you stay focused on your art while building a secure foundation, you’ll be in a much stronger position to turn your passion into a career later on. Many artists work part-time jobs or run small businesses initially, so don’t feel like you’re giving up one for the other.
In short: pursue your MBA, keep painting, and build your future with both your head and your heart.
Good luck
I feel betrayed
Dear Guru,
I am a 22-year-old girl and I need advice. I have been in love with my best friend, S, for years and he claimed he loved me too. He even said he would send a marriage proposal to my family as soon as we graduated. We are classmates, doing our BS together, and I truly believed him. But a few days ago, I was shocked to find out that instead of sending his parents to my house, he got engaged to my other best friend, R. I’m heartbroken. I can’t even talk about this with my sister or anyone in my family, because in our community, people are still very conservative when it comes to relationships and marriage.
Now, my parents are seriously considering a marriage proposal for me. It’s a good match, but I still have feelings for S. When I confronted him, he told me I was only ever a backup plan and he loved R more. He said he saw me as just a good friend. I feel used, betrayed and deeply hurt. I can’t stop thinking about it. I feel jealous of R, and it’s tearing me apart. I’m sad and depressed all the time. I don’t know how to move on. What should I do?
Girl in Love
Dear Girl in Love,
Your pain is real, and I’m truly sorry that you’re going through this. But you need to remind yourself of one important truth: someone who sees you as a ‘backup plan’ does not love you. S was never sincere. If he had genuinely cared for you, he wouldn't have hidden his relationship with R or used you emotionally. He misled you, and that’s not love; it’s betrayal.
You must stop blaming your friend R. S made his own choices. If R didn’t know about your feelings for him, she isn’t at fault. What hurts the most right now is the realization that what you believed to be love was, sadly, one-sided. That takes time to heal, but it will. As for the proposal your parents are considering, please don’t rush into anything while your heart is still hurting. It’s okay to tell them you need more time to focus on your studies. But also keep in mind: good proposals, especially ones that align with your values and goals, shouldn’t be dismissed just because you’re emotionally wounded. Take your time, get to know the person if possible, and make a decision with a clear head, not a broken heart.
You’re stronger than you feel right now. Focus on your studies, go out with friends and take up some hobby to distract your mind. Remember: the right person will never treat you like a backup; they will see you as the only choice.
Good luck!
Kindly send your problems at: us.mag@thenews.com.pk
