Coming Down to Joy: On Van Morrison, Side Hustles, and Living Fully as an Artist

When I first heard Van Morrison’s “Down to Joy,” I didn’t just listen—I felt it.

The opening dreamlike refrain, the horns, the vocals—it stirred something deep. It stirred me not in a “this will go viral” kind of way, but in the timeless, mysterious way that outstanding art sometimes does. Like the best songs, it’s difficult to explain why it hits, but when it does, you know. His musical interpretation of what it feels like to come down to joy is sublime.

Van recorded Down to Joy during the pandemic for Kenneth Branagh’s film Belfast, a semi-autobiographical story of a boy growing up in Northern Ireland in the late 1960s. Morrison, who also grew up in Belfast, revisited the area before writing the song, blending memories from his youth with the spirit of Branagh’s screenplay. Now, as he sails into his 80s, he has released it on one of his best albums in recent years.

He’s said the lyrics are “kind of meaningless babble, but it works.” That’s classic Van. He’s always danced between the mystical and the grounded, the soulful and the sarcastic. And somehow, even when he downplays it, the result carries emotional weight.

“I had a brand-new story
I was coming down to joy.”
— Van Morrison, Down to Joy (© Exile Productions Ltd.)

🎶 Watch & Listen

The song moves me because it isn’t trying to explain joy.
It just lets it arrive—and invites you to receive it.

At 80, Van Morrison has nothing left to prove—except that the creative wellspring still flows.
And that’s reason enough to keep going.

There are even more reasons—if any were needed—to love his work, be inspired by it, and forgive his occasional crankiness or conspiracy tangents.
The art endures. The muse still moves through him.

And for artists like us, that’s a comforting reminder:
You don’t have to be perfect to continue creating.
You have to keep showing up.

You Don’t Have to Be Full-Time to Keep Your Creativity Alive

There’s a moment in Down to Joy where the lyrics hint at awakening—not just from sleep, but from a kind of slumber in life.

That’s what good art can do: remind us what it feels like to be fully alive.
It doesn’t require fame or fortune or a full-time art career. It just requires presence. Attention. Gratitude.

This mindset aligns perfectly with what I explored in last week’s article on Practical Minimalism—the idea that creative fulfillment often comes from intentionally choosing less complexity, not more.

These concepts are precisely what I explore in my latest book:

The Artist’s Guide to Creative Side Hustles & Hybrid Careers
Practical tools, deep permission, and real-world strategies for living fully and creatively—on your terms.

Whether you’re working full-time, semi-retired, or navigating your next chapter, you can carve a path that’s meaningful and sustainable.

Because artists—especially those of us with a few decades behind us—often carry the weight of expectations we never chose.
That if you were really serious, you’d go “all in.”
That if you haven’t “made it” by some external measure, you’re doing it wrong.
A side hustle should not be viewed as a step down; instead, it can be considered a step towards something meaningful.

But here’s the truth:
Side hustles, hybrid careers, and nontraditional paths are not compromises.
They’re choices.
Sometimes they’re survival.
Sometimes they’re sanity.
Often, they’re just a better fit.

“I Receive”—A Creative Way of Being

In a long-form interview, Van was asked how he writes songs. His answer?

“I receive.”
— Van Morrison

No ego. No over-explanation. No myth-making.
: I receive.

And that stuck with me.
We all receive. Maybe not on the same wavelength or at the same volume—but ideas come.

Your job is to notice. To make space. To translate what arrives.

Whether you channel it into painting, music, writing, design, or something else entirely, what matters is that you stay open.

My Side Hustle Supports My Art

I’ve never done just one thing: freelance writing, sales jobs, publishing—whatever I could find when I needed it.

That’s not a detour. That’s been the path.

And one of those hustles became a foundation.
I still write up to 10 blog posts a month for clients in the freelance business world. It’s one of my longest-running gigs—and it’s profitable.

It doesn’t pull me away from my creative work.
It funds it.
It sharpens my focus.
It gives me freedom.

It lets me write books, like this one—not from stress or hustle guilt, but from clarity, lived experience, and the quiet confidence it will help artists like you see things differently and enjoy the creative life a little more.

“You Be You” Is the Real Career Advice

The essence of the artist’s life I aim to honor is rooted in authenticity and connection. It emphasizes that fulfillment comes not from fame or public recognition, but rather from genuine joy, contentment, and collaboration with others.

This perspective highlights that true artistic expression and sharing one’s passion can bring profound satisfaction, regardless of how widely recognized one may be. Whether on a grand stage or in a small circle, the power of art, music, and community is what truly enriches our lives.

You don’t have to make your art your entire livelihood to make it your legacy.
You have to keep making room for what matters.

Make art.
Make a living.
Make it work—your way.

A Final Invitation (and a Book That Helps)

If any part of this post resonates—if you’ve ever wondered how to keep making art without burning out or how to balance your creative drive with real-world responsibilities—this book is for you.

The Artist’s Guide to Creative Side Hustles & Hybrid Careers
A heartfelt and practical roadmap for artists navigating life on their own terms.

You don’t have to abandon your creativity to make ends meet.
And you don’t need to monetize everything you love.

There’s a sweet spot between sacrifice and overcommitment.
That’s what I call the Goldilocks Zone. This book helps you find it.

If you’re a late bloomer, a rebuilder, or a reinvention-in-progress—this guide is for you.

The Lesson from Van Is Simple

You be you.

If your creative life fits better as a side hustle or hybrid career, that’s not second best.
That’s wisdom.

If you need a reminder that your art still matters, even when the world seems oblivious, put on “Down to Joy” and let it fill the room.

“Felt so good, gratitude
Something quite profound
That I cried out loud.”
— Van Morrison, Down to Joy (© Exile Productions Ltd.)

That’s the creative life.
You receive. You respond.
And you keep coming down to joy.

Barney Davey
Still tuned in. Still writing. Still joy-chasing.

Attribution

Lyric excerpts from Down to Joy. Written and performed by Van Morrison.
© Exile Productions Ltd. Used for commentary purposes only.