2023 Reflections & Lessons
Before we enter 2024, I wanted to look back over my shoulder at 2023 and reflect on what it taught me. Here are my three “teaching moments”, leave me a comment if any of them resonate with you or if you want to share your own, I’d love to hear about them!
“Not everything you create has to be for retail.” I had a conversation with a close friend of mine and I love when she tells me what I need to hear. The message behind her words gave me permission to also do art for myself and not always for a sale. I think when I get so caught up in what sells or what will fill my social media checklist I forget the joy in just creating.
So in 2024 I will be more intentional with what I make that will first fill my creative cup, then share my magic with the world when it feels right. Even saying that out loud takes some of the pressure off my shoulders, and I can breathe a little easier. Thank you friend! ;)
Educating yourself in your field is key, but don’t let it replace taking action. I dove deep the last 3-4 years into podcasts, books and online courses, and I feel like I learned more this route then I did in college sometimes! We are so priveleged and lucky to have the internet where information is at our fingertips and we get to learn from others and their experiences. There were days I felt I had to know it all to feel professional, so I would dig for more information and absorb as much as I could about business, pattern design, or software programs, etc. This need to be knowledgeable is honorable, but can also be a distraction when I should’ve been putting the pencil down onto the paper. Eleven years ago, when I started putting out my art more publicly I created out of passion, I created for social change, I drew and painted from my soul. When individuals or businesses hired me for projects I said yes even though I may not have had enough professional experience. I took Nike’s advice and just did it. So learn what you need as you go, learn from your experiences, and take risks! Taking action can be an even greater teacher and confidence booster.
“Setting boundaries is knowing your self-worth.” Looking back I would consider myself the “yes ma’am” girl. Whenever people asked me to fulfill a creative idea I would quickly say yes. Most of the time it was because I knew I could do it, other times I would agree because my inner child didn’t want to disappoint them. I would agree to do it to people-please but silently kick myself later.
I’ve done a lot of inner work and healing now to know that there is a power in saying “no”. I am honoring myself, protecting my time with my family, and if the project doesn’t seem balanced between time and actual pay then it’s not worth it. It is important to listen to your intuition and if projects aren’t a “hell yes”, then they are definitely a “no thank you”. I usually offer the customer a referral or ask a fellow artist friend if they’d like to take the job instead so there are options. I want to leave you with this idea, that just because you are a creative, you don’t have to create for everyone. It’s your magic, share it when it feels right. :)
Cheers and Happy New Year!