My mother is supporting my life dream, but that's not really my life dream?

[Anonymous]

I like to paint, and I get told I'm quite talented about it.
My mother took this as me being interested in arts, which is not true because I paint just to relax and see nothing special in it. But it's the only thing I'm good at and since she hates the fact that I don't have a direction in life, I told her what she wanted to hear so she paid for my admission in art school.
I hate the idea of going to university, I'd just like to have an honest job like being a cashier or a factory worker and be done with it. I don't want to pursue arts and I'm considering quitting painting so she stops talking about my 'talent'.
But she already spent the money. What do I do?

[Anonymous]

You go to school. I don’t know how you could let her pay for your schooling, knowing that you don’t want to go or make a future as an artist. But the way I see it, you had your chance (probably more than one instance) to stop her, but you didn’t. Now she’s invested money, and unless you can somehow get the money back then you should go for the time she paid. Like if she paid for a semester, then just do that. You don’t even have to really try but just go.

[Asker]

I tried telling her no, but she got angry so I let her do it. I'll do like you have suggested and go or let her believe I'm going while I get a job.
When I'll have the money I'll pay her back and tell her I quit the school.
She'll get angry but with her money back it won't be a big damage.

[Opinion Owner]

Honestly, it would’ve been better to stick by your ‘no’. Because she can’t stay mad forever and I would’ve rather has her be salty for a few days than have her invest so much into my future. Anyway, it’s good that you’re willing to ride out the schooling time she paid for you. Like I said, even if she gets mad, she will get over it eventually.

[Asker]

She wants for me to find a direction in life and honestly I'm both a bit of a slacker and I lack motivation.
She gets mad about this to no end and I understand her but I'm not compelled to big ambitions either

[Opinion Owner]

Maybe that’s why she went ahead and paid for your school, because she knows you lack motivation and it will only get worse if she doesn’t push you. Right now you’re being given the opportunity to have a career that you actually enjoy. A lot of people don’t get that kind of support and are stuck with jobs they despise, so you’re pretty lucky dude.

[Asker]

I think you are right. Maybe I think I'll go for the year she paid for and see if I like it, if I like it I'll go on with it. I can find a part time job and work and study at the same time.