I've been an artist and a writer for most of my life, in one capacity or another, and this is absolutely true.
I even went through this again just a couple of weeks ago, when my neighbor's grandson asked me why I didn't work, and I told him I do, I just work from home.
His next words, at eight years old? "But why don't you get a real job?"
Sheesh. It never ends.
Even when I had a bricks and mortar art and framing studio I still put up with this shit.
All. The. Time.
But I write because I have to write. I've been taking a break in posting recently, mostly because I've been feeling like crap, but I'm still writing.
And, regardless of naysayers, I always will.
I hear ya :( It doesn't matter if they're close friends or barely even acquaintances, it seems to just fly right by most people that artists have a hard job and put in a lot of effort, experience loads of frustration etc.
And it sucks, 'cause even though you know it doesn't really matter what these people think, it still gets to you. But hey, if you're lucky, it also means you never have to get a "real" job and get to do what you like, so overall a pretty good business ;)
Urgh keep on writing <3 I know how hard it can be sometimes, particularly if you're feeling down because of other things, as well, but in the end, not writing will only make you feel worse, so...
<3