Activity
Mon
Wed
Fri
Sun
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
What is this?
Less
More

Owned by Melissa

Printing, Dyeing & Stitching

39 members • Free

A community for anyone interested in mixed media textile arts to learn and share projects and ideas.

Memberships

Self Inquiry Support Group

6.5k members • Free

Over 40 and Unemployed

347 members • Free

Abstract Art Retreat

45 members • Free

Skoolers

181.6k members • Free

Kickstarter Challenge

23.8k members • Free

5 contributions to Over 40 and Unemployed
The group is blowing up. Over 263 of you now. People are joining every day.
I was going to start charging $9 a month once we hit a certain number. Lock in the free members, then monetize the growth. That was the plan. But here's the thing: we're all here for the same reason. We're broke. We're struggling. We're trying to rebuild while the system tells us we're too old, too expensive, too whatever. Charging you to be part of a community where we're all fighting the same fight feels wrong. So I'm not doing it. This group stays free. Period. Everyone who's here now has lifetime access. Everyone who joins later gets the same deal. No bait and switch. No "limited time offer" bullshit. Maybe down the road I'll add a premium tier with personal coaching or 1-on-1 calls for people who want that. But the core community? Always free. Now here's what I need from you: What would make this group actually worth your time? What would help you the most right now? - More structure? Weekly challenges? Frameworks? - Specific guides on freelancing, consulting, starting a business? - Job leads and opportunities we can share? - Resume reviews and interview prep? - Accountability groups? - Guest speakers who've been through this? - Something else I'm not thinking of? I built this place because I was tired of being invisible. Tired of watching people like us get rejected, ghosted, and told we don't matter. But this only works if it's actually useful. If it helps you get somewhere. So tell me: what do you need? Drop a comment. Be honest. Be specific. We're building this together. Let's make it something that actually moves the needle.
The group is blowing up. Over 263 of you now. People are joining every day.
2 likes • 7d
I’d love a discussion dedicated to freelancing and how to be successful at it. I’m a fine artist moving into the learning success/life coaching/art therapy coaching realm, and considering offering web design services.
5 likes • 7d
Congrats on all the new folks joining, and thanks for keeping membership free. šŸ‘šŸ˜Š
Welcome to everyone who just joined.
If you're here, you're probably over 40 and fighting the same fight I am. Sending out resumes that disappear into the void. Getting ghosted by recruiters. Watching younger people get hired for jobs you're overqualified for. Wondering if you're unemployable or if the entire system just broke while you weren't looking. You're not imagining it. The job market is brutal right now. Especially for us. I'm 57. I've been freelancing for over 20 years. I have a degree. I use AI tools every day. I'm faster and better at my work than I've ever been. And I still can't get hired. Not because I'm not good enough. Because companies don't want to invest in people like us anymore. We're too expensive. Too experienced. Too likely to know our worth and not accept garbage wages. This group exists because we're all dealing with the same thing. And most of us are doing it alone. Scrolling LinkedIn at 2am wondering what we're doing wrong. Applying to jobs we're overqualified for and still not getting callbacks. Trying to figure out how to rebuild a career in a market that decided we're disposable. You're not alone. That's why we're here. Drop a comment and introduce yourself. Where are you? What kind of work are you looking for? What's your biggest struggle right now? Let's actually talk about this. Let's help each other. Let's stop pretending this is normal and start figuring out how to survive it together. Welcome. I'm glad you're here.
Welcome to everyone who just joined.
0 likes • 17d
@Bill Benitez Hi Bill, thanks so much for sharing all of these resources! I went through a training in self-publishing a few years back, and I piblished a short non-fiction book on Amazon titled ā€œThe Artist’s Cure for Perfectionismā€ taking from my career as an artist and an art professor and my long-held inquiry into personal development. I’m excited to write my next full-length book featuring art practice as a form of mindfulness, with 10-15 guided projects.
0 likes • 17d
@Bill Benitez Thanks!
Freelancing in the AI Era: What Actually Works
Most freelance gigs are getting automated. Writing, graphic design, basic video editing - AI's eating them alive. But here's what's still working: High-touch services AI can't do: - Strategy consulting (not execution) - Client relationship management - Creative direction (not just creation) - Salvage work (fixing bad projects) - Niche expertise in regulated industries The shift: Instead of "I write blog posts" → "I turn your messy ideas into content strategy" Instead of "I design logos" → "I build brand systems that work across platforms" Instead of "I edit videos" → "I turn 3 hours of footage into stories people actually watch" Bottom line: AI does tasks. You solve problems. If your service can be explained in one sentence, it can probably be automated. If it requires judgment, context, and understanding messy human situations? You're safe. What freelance services are you offering that AI can't touch?
1 like • 23d
Great post! I'm currently offering life coaching and thinking of offering creativity coaching and web design.
1 like • 23d
@Jason Weiland I was considering getting into freelance writing. What kind of writing do you do?
Let’s Talk: What’s the Hardest Part About Creating Right Now?
I’ll go first:For me, it’s showing up when life is falling apart behind the scenes. Trying to create content while managing stress, family, finances—it’s brutal.And some days, the last thing I want to do is write, post, or record anything.But I keep showing up. Not because it’s easy.Because it matters. Now I want to hear from you. šŸ‘‰ What’s the hardest part about creating right now? Burnout? Time? Confidence? Tech stuff? Feeling invisible? Drop a comment—even just a sentence. Let’s remind each other we’re not doing this alone.
Let’s Talk: What’s the Hardest Part About Creating Right Now?
1 like • Nov 12
I am a visual artist and wholistic neurogrowth success coach trying to build my businesses. The hardest part about creating right now is getting into the ā€œzoneā€ even when my money is dwindling. Trying to stay grounded and balanced, and not fall into fear/despair/worry. The work is actually what grounds me, so that helps! I think the secret is simply showing up consistently.
[START HERE] - Introduce yourself—what are you creating right now?
We’re glad you’re here. This space is for creators 40+ who want to explore AI as a partner in writing, storytelling, and business. Take a moment to share: - Who you are - What you’re working on (big or small) - One way you’d like AI to support your creative work - share a picture of your workspace! No pressure—keep it short and simple. This is just a place to start the conversation. Looking forward to meeting you,Jason
3 likes • Nov 11
Hi! I early-retired from my job as a college art professor in July, and now I'm trying to grow two businesses: an art business, and a coaching business. I've been asking AI to help me plan and strategize, for example I want to write a book that features art projects as a mindfulness practice, and then I want to build online courses based around the projects in my book. Or vice-versa. Most recently, I've been just inputting background info about who I am and what I'm looking for, and asking for a prioritized list of ideas.
1 like • Nov 11
@Jason Weiland Thanks, I’m not sure yet, but I will post questions as they come up. I recently listened to Allie K. Miller on the Mel Robbins podcast blow my mind open about how to work with AI. So now I’m experimenting a lot more than before. šŸ‘
1-5 of 5
Melissa Gill
2
6points to level up
@melissa-gill-2493
Visual artist and Learning Success Coach in Tucson AZ.

Active 3h ago
Joined Nov 11, 2025
INFJ
Tucson, AZ