The Artist-Creator’s Office (Dispatch No. 4)
Hello friends!
I almost didn’t write this up today. This week has been hectic (and too damn cold), but we move.
I’ve been pondering on the ways we can embrace our metrics of success despite the messaging we receive from society and even the greater art community about what our art needs to be. One thing I’ve realized is that many of us are held back by the notion that embracing our own metrics of success will be a comfortable experience. Yet, if we analyzed this notion with greater care, we would realize that the work we’re doing is foundational, as in groundbreaking.
The foundations that have been set for us determine the structures we embrace as we continue to build our lives. Thus, from my perspective, re-examining these foundations feels like breaking apart my life. In the meantime, I must embrace ambiguity and tons of experimentation as I head in the direction of the art and creativity that compels me.
Revolutionary change begins with a thought. That thought inspires one action, and then another and another. The journey of becoming a people-pleasing, externally-centered artist doesn’t happen in a day, and the journey away from that is also one that requires time, care, community, and the space to figure out what works.
So, when it comes to redefining your metrics of success, jumping into the thick of your art practice might not be a feasible leap. But, creativity is pervasive in the life of the artist-creator, and it cannot be limited to only that which is created for consumption as art. One of my favorite ways to redefine success has been taking place in my daily life: my sense of style.
I wouldn’t call myself a fashion guru, nor do I aspire to. But, I do have a sense of personal style and for years, I’ve shied away from dressing according to this sensibility because of a variety of reasons. Yet, through embracing my sense of style, I’ve found that I have an increased awareness for what I love to adorn myself with and what makes me sigh a breath of delight when I catch a glimpse of my reflection as I go about my day. In this exploration, I figure I can invite you to find a mundane aspect of your life where who you are and what you want do not have space to exist.
Practice is the business of finding space and doing the thing, whether it’s perfect or not. In fact, the point of practice is to embrace the discomfort that arises during the sessions and moments. This brings to mind: I was deeply frustrated the other day, watching a movie with my partner. In this movie, the main character has an angelic singing voice. And so, their mentor books them a huge musical event. The publicity is through the roof. And on the fated night, the hall is packed full of an eagerly waiting audience. I roll my eyes, and shriek to my partner, “THEY NEVER DEAL WITH THE STAGE FRIGHT PROBLEM!!!!” Of course, the curtains open and the main character squawks and it’s all very sad, but…
Dear reader, you can deal with the stage fright problem. You are in your life and you are in touch with at least one desire that is headed in the direction your creative success as defined by you. It could be embodied in making and sharing a playlist full of the music you’ve curated for a specific mood. You could try something new with your wardrobe like I’m doing. Maybe you’re ready to start a morning routine or an evening routine or an after-work routine. This is what dealing with the stage fright problem looks like.
As you get comfortable with the discomfort of following a tiny creative urge, you build the stamina to finally start that podcast, engage with your Instagram community, sing at your first concert, or whatever beautiful creative destiny/destination you’re aching for.
Today, the only question I want you to ponder is:
What tiny creative urge can I indulge today?
(Anticipate the discomfort and pursue the urge anyway.)
One resource that has helped me realize my creative urges is this video by Heidi Priebe about emotional self-intimacy. I’ve watched it probably 4 or 5 times, and every time, it returns me and grounds me into a rich practice of getting comfortable with the discomfort of being myself and knowing myself.
Until next time,
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