This really resonated with me. I’m a former educator and my soul shriveled. All I’ve ever wanted to “be” is an artist. And I’m being just that. I don’t think I’m the best on the business or content creator side of things as an artist. It feels like chaos to me. Where I’m at my best is when I’m simply being an artist, quietly sitting here, creating, crafting my works. I love that so much. ♥️
I use that phrase often: "soul shrivelled". For so many years, my goal has been to be a 'writer'. It's taken some time to create that reality. I've now worked up to being able to write every day.
It can be quite a balancing act navigating all the fluff online. There is some decent stuff, but a lot of wading to find it. Austin Kleon is someone I've enjoyed following on the artist side of things.
Just bought Rick Rubin's book (longtime music producer). "The Creative Act: A way of being." Been enjoying the straightforward experience and wisdom.
I listened to the creative act on Audible and could listen to Rick Rubin read that over and over and over again. Often I do when I’m drawing. He is all about “being”. I’ll also check out Austin Kleon.
This article came at the right moment. I just dropped everything this evening and worked at my drawing board. I kept thinking, why does everything else I’m trying to do with this feel so awful, yet the act in itself feels like an escape? Well I think I know now and I’m going to take some time to reflect on this. I look forward to future reading.
I really enjoyed your article - how you rephrase "having" with "being" is an incredibly powerful shift in thinking. I've been guilty of "having" specific goals, targets, clients, income, etc. which aren't inherently bad BUT how much more powerful are your phrases below-
Being valuable (rather than ‘adding value’)
Being connected and building change
Being authentic and real
Being impactful
Thank you for the insight and inspiration today - look forward to many more gems from you!
And so glad this landed with someone else puzzling through and playing in this life.
And, bang on. I can relate very much to those thoughts. I've swung around on them too. The 'comparison game' can get rather toxic quite quickly. I've thankfully been hacking around in this 'creator economy' for enough months now that I found strategies and mindsets to not get sucked into that crap.
There were times when it started to feel like comparing annual salaries when I worked in the public sector. I was in a salary range where numbers got published. Similarly, I came to realize how fruitless and useless the comparison game is.
The compass in all this -- I find -- is an inner one. Instead of comparing, I've become much more curious - but also using it as motivation to see how some folks have built success and impact. As a possibility for what can be done.
I think our minds must have linked some thoughts through the ether. 🙌
You're absolutely right on some inspiration behind the Box Cutter name. I write frequently about my criticisms of the education system (granted it's not all 'bad') and how much it enmeshes in many of us certain ways of thinking and being.
And, how much unlearning is required to find different ways of being. :)
Definitely merit to this and wonderfully articulated
You're points on passive aggressive language are spot on and great reminders to pay attention
Thanks Adam, appreciate your note. :)
This really resonated with me. I’m a former educator and my soul shriveled. All I’ve ever wanted to “be” is an artist. And I’m being just that. I don’t think I’m the best on the business or content creator side of things as an artist. It feels like chaos to me. Where I’m at my best is when I’m simply being an artist, quietly sitting here, creating, crafting my works. I love that so much. ♥️
Oh, I hear you loud and clear Christine.
I use that phrase often: "soul shrivelled". For so many years, my goal has been to be a 'writer'. It's taken some time to create that reality. I've now worked up to being able to write every day.
It can be quite a balancing act navigating all the fluff online. There is some decent stuff, but a lot of wading to find it. Austin Kleon is someone I've enjoyed following on the artist side of things.
Just bought Rick Rubin's book (longtime music producer). "The Creative Act: A way of being." Been enjoying the straightforward experience and wisdom.
Appreciate you leaving the note Christine. 🙌
I listened to the creative act on Audible and could listen to Rick Rubin read that over and over and over again. Often I do when I’m drawing. He is all about “being”. I’ll also check out Austin Kleon.
This article came at the right moment. I just dropped everything this evening and worked at my drawing board. I kept thinking, why does everything else I’m trying to do with this feel so awful, yet the act in itself feels like an escape? Well I think I know now and I’m going to take some time to reflect on this. I look forward to future reading.
Super article! Your reflections on language and how we phrase things, is powerful!
Thanks for sharing.
Appreciate your note! Glad this one landed well with you. 🙌
I really enjoyed your article - how you rephrase "having" with "being" is an incredibly powerful shift in thinking. I've been guilty of "having" specific goals, targets, clients, income, etc. which aren't inherently bad BUT how much more powerful are your phrases below-
Being valuable (rather than ‘adding value’)
Being connected and building change
Being authentic and real
Being impactful
Thank you for the insight and inspiration today - look forward to many more gems from you!
Glad it landed well. Appreciate receiving your note. :)
What a lovely read Frederike - thank you!
And so glad this landed with someone else puzzling through and playing in this life.
And, bang on. I can relate very much to those thoughts. I've swung around on them too. The 'comparison game' can get rather toxic quite quickly. I've thankfully been hacking around in this 'creator economy' for enough months now that I found strategies and mindsets to not get sucked into that crap.
There were times when it started to feel like comparing annual salaries when I worked in the public sector. I was in a salary range where numbers got published. Similarly, I came to realize how fruitless and useless the comparison game is.
The compass in all this -- I find -- is an inner one. Instead of comparing, I've become much more curious - but also using it as motivation to see how some folks have built success and impact. As a possibility for what can be done.
Love the note - and glad to connect on here. :)
I think our minds must have linked some thoughts through the ether. 🙌
You're absolutely right on some inspiration behind the Box Cutter name. I write frequently about my criticisms of the education system (granted it's not all 'bad') and how much it enmeshes in many of us certain ways of thinking and being.
And, how much unlearning is required to find different ways of being. :)