((( Lonely_90 ))) Welcome to PC, it's a good group of people and I hope you enjoy your time here.

I have a big creative streak myself - kudos to you for finding some kind of creative work, even if it is entry level and feels stagnant - I am not working in any creative capacity right now, I have a "day job" which treats me very well but isn't particularly satisfying. I would encourage you to do the kind of design work in your spare time which you love to do most, and post it on some kind of arts website such as deviantArt. In any creative field you have to get exposure and contacts to develop your career.

As for the family and boyfriend situation, I don't have any concrete advice right now, but I really feel for you. It sounds to me like you have been experiencing the sort of invalidation and criticism from caregivers which would undermine anyone's self-confidence and self-worth. If there is any way you can locate a therapist or counselor - local mental health clinic, university psychology department volunteers, church affiliated counselors, or inexpensive online counselors - to talk through all these issues and get some concrete advice, I encourage you to do that. I suspect your mom is trying to protect you in her own way, although obviously it's NOT a remotely healthy approach she's using to do that!!!