As one of my old professors used to say: "Anything worth doing is worth doing badly." I think his words sum up the joy of being an amateur, versus the drudgery of being a pro.
Professionalism is overrated. Being a pro is work, in the most negative sense of that accursed four-letter word. Professionalism is writing the required book report after reading the book you love. Professionalism is spitting the wine you just tasted into a bucket so you'll be able to taste the next one with a clear head. Professionalism is a blowjob with a condom on.
As an amateur, you can pursue your chosen interest without fear of failure, and without strapping yourself to a schedule. You can take a break whenever you want, loiter in blind alleys, and defy convention.
Don't get me wrong: I love my job and I'm a professional when I'm at work. But that's enough - the rest is for fun, and, for me, being an amateur is a lot more fun than being a pro.
