Giving yourself permission to do what’s calling you
Most of us have grown up believing that we have to make a safe choice in order to survive. But what we don't realize is that when we choose what is actually calling us, we can thrive.
This is because just following what we should do shrinks our energy, our motivation, and our output. We become small and boring, actually! Following what lights us up, even though it may seem weird or like a long shot is what gives us energy, and motivation and makes us stand out!
Your art is a gift
I had a couple of conversations recently that made me think. Why do we keep creating art when it’s so often not the easiest route? I made a short video about this that you can watch above.
To summarize… I think that all of us have two things that we want in life:
One of them is to uncover our most authentic self. Our what I call our core creative essence. This is who you are at your core. This is what people see when they look at your artwork because it comes through and it touches them. It's sparks, joy and connection to them. That's your essence.
My favorite galleries & museums in Seattle
If you’re interested in art, look no further. Seattle has a dynamic arts scene featuring a wide range of talent. From the First Thursday Art Walk of sophisticated galleries along the streets of Pioneer Square to various galleries and exhibits, you’re sure to find some unique art pieces perfect for your home.
Want to take the next in step your creative calling? Check your assumptions.
In my experience, the biggest blocks to our growth and dreams are our ASSUMPTIONS. We all have assumptions about what we can and can't do. This can hold us back from dreaming bigger or opening up to what is possible in our life. We are aware of some of these, while others are so deeply embedded that they're like the air we breathe.
The first step to getting unstuck.
Years ago when I was working as an illustrator, I got hired for what I thought was the best gig I'd ever had. It was the gig I'd been working towards for most of my career.
But during the job, I felt nothing but frustration, angst, stress, and annoyance. Afterward, when I actually saw the product I had worked so hard on, I felt defeated. I was supposed to feel proud and excited about this work but all I felt was annoyed and completely burnt out.
The very simple equation to feeling good.
Have you ever noticed that when you are doing things you love, working towards a goal that is meaningful, or contributing to the greater good it just FEELS AMAZING? And when you are neglecting yourself, your dreams, or working towards something that is not meaningful to you, you feel bad? You may even get depressed, angry, or blame yourself.
Our biology has evolved to SHOW US HOW TO FEEL GOOD.
The FLOW research also backs this up.
Why we abandon ourselves
From a very very young age, I felt like everyone around me wanted me to be what THEY wanted. Which left very little room for me to discover WHO I ACTUALLY WAS and EXPRESS THAT. I was a natural people pleaser so I took on all of these other identities and buried my ESSENCE somewhere deep inside of me.
Then for most of my life, I would do things to ABANDON MYSELF. Like going to a party when I wanted to stay home or doing things for others when I really needed to take care of myself.
Your Core Creative Essence
Who were you before you were taught that how you NATURALLY express yourself is NOT ENOUGH or TOO MUCH?
Who was that excited, inspired, motivated little one?
How did they see the world?
What did they have to say?
This is your CREATIVE ESSENCE - it's where all of your motivation, inspiration, and creativity comes from. And it NEVER GOES AWAY. Most of us pushed down this true part of ourselves because it wasn't safe or acceptable.
Feeling Overwhelmed? Two simple questions to ask yourself this January
Having gone through major shifts with my health and business in 2021...I decided I needed a major overhaul at the beginning of this year. I was feeling overwhelmed by thinking about creating goals or intentions because I couldn't get clear on what I needed at a deeper level. My mind kept going around and around keeping me in what I felt like I "should" do.
Are you a multi-passionate creative having trouble focusing?
Do you struggle with resistance when you think about creating?
Resistance many times is a conflict between your natural flow and what the mind is obsessing over.