Most progress is hard to measure. It’s easy to compare tangible results between two people or time periods, but sometimes the differences going on beneath the surface are subtle.
I often compare the me of today to the me of a year ago. A lot can happen in a year, sometimes a lot can happen and feel like nothing at all.
The me of today doesn’t even notice that their investments have dropped by 20%. They hardly pay attention to the turmoil that overflows from old media and social media. It’s not as if I don’t have compassion for people in difficult situations , but the most important me to focus on is the world around me, and what I can do in it.
The me of today doesn’t get lost in potentiality, paralyzed by whether or not something is the right decision.
I know the kind of life I want to build. I don’t know exactly what I need to do to build it, but I know what kind of person I need to be and so my focus is on being that kind of person and doing the work that reinforces that version of myself.
I don’t want to be the kind of person who lives in fear of whether or not people like what I make, so I just focus on making sure I like what I make, because that’s the most important thing to me.
I stopped worrying about how I’m going to survive next year. I’m not in a sinking ship. That’s good enough. If I’m a more capable and accomplished person a year ago, something will change naturally as a result. If I spend the year putting good into the world some of that good will come back and find me.
The is no amount of fear that would help me achieve anything anymore because I’m not in any immediate danger. And so fear simply becomes weights to life to make myself stronger. Face the fear. See what lies beyond it.
I can finally enjoy creating things just for the sake of creating them. I enjoy the reaction people have to my creations but not one of them could convince me not to create, nor would being completely ignored. Even if no one cares, I still enjoy it.
And I’m getting better at it, and I can feel that with every little work, whether it’s a part of a song or an article or a short video or a social experiment.
For the first time I’m finding joy in colors and visuals. I’m experimenting with color settings and filters with photos on my phone and videos I set music to. A lot of trained artists probably think it’s overkill, I was told by two or three people that it’s too much filter or overwhelming. But a lot of people seemed to like it too.
Here’s the thing, I’m not aiming to be a world class photographer. I want to learn techniques that are lead to more objectively high level work, but more importantly, I want to understand my own tastes and see what I can discover through experimentation.
I’ve gotten more into my own sense of fashion. I realize I love big baggy sweaters and bright colored pants and shoes and I hate words on my body and tangible images but like images not related to a brand, especially by artists I resonate with.
I’ve been going to more pop up shops by screen print artists and adding their work to my clothes.
How will this lead to making more money? I don’t know.
How will it lead to us being able to start our business by the end of the year? I’m not sure.
But I know I’m on the right path.
I’d like to start coaching people on opening themselves up as artists and finding new possibilities and creative routes, finding a purpose for their art. I am not sure how I can sell such coaching sessions to people, nor do I think I want to put a lot of energy into marketing such things but I know that having more of my own work and doing more growing through art will help.
Becoming completely artistically free and feeling a sense of accomplishment from everything I do is probably a prerequisite and so I guess that might be where this is going.
I see myself as becoming someone like Rick Rubin but more experienced in the tangible creation of art and artistic work. Rick Rubin is a music producer who doesn’t actually have skills as a sound engineer or instrumentalist. He coaches musical artists on how to express themselves more authentically and how to get into the flow state.
I see myself being able to coach people in a similar way but with more tangible skills that could help artists learn how to make their own music videos or add instruments to their work, create their own flyers or start off on a project they’ve always dreamed of doing.
I suppose I could specialize in working with artists who aren’t necessarily trying to become famous but want to create work that they love regardless of whether it becomes a career or a hobby and then helping them reach whatever higher goals they have related to their art, whether it be building a community around it or being able to collaborate with others.
It’s exciting to think about and I see how I’m fulfilling that role for certain people in my life already. I guess rather than trying to market myself that way aggressively and charge a set amount, I will just mention that I can offer those kinds of services and double down on the friends I’m already helping for now. But if you are interested let me know.
Hoping to make a few more videos like this to tell the story of a boy who makes friends with the ocean from my short novel “Confessions of the Damaged 1.1”:
It will be a big project, about 9-12 1 minute videos each with original music, old songs and new. Also currently working on a Japanese translation to said novel series.
I’m also helping @tentententen. Grow her yarn business and art and now that I’m writing this I realize I want to invite a friend over to help him record his music.
I can’t even remember what I started writing about 🤣 time to go make something!
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So much growth can happen without us even realizing it until we look back. The whole not stressing over next year part is good, sometimes just moving forward is enough. Also, experimenting with colors and visuals is the kind of creative freedom that makes life fun. Keep going, man. Only do what matters to you
did you read it twice!?! Don’t tell anyone I posted it twice 🤐 I didn’t even realize until just now, I guess if it’s just this once I won’t get in trouble 🙃
I’ve started to think like that: the only thing that matters is the upward trajectory. How much and how quickly isn’t worth stressing about, only that I’m going in the right direction, then the chips can just fall where they will
I noticed it could have been an oversight... One time I had all my articles prepared but for a different platform years ago. I posted it twice without even noticing. It certainly happens
oh no I didn't read it twice 🤣🤣 the first one was enough but I have you on ecency favorites so I kinda ended up seeing it again so took it s an opportunity to encourage you again. You're doing an awesome work man... And even if I saw you post it 1000 times I'd appreciate it 1000 times man 🔥❤️🔥
hahahah thank you so much <3
you're always welcome man, I can't forget the support you were to me when I was building my rep to at least a level my notifications can be seen. You're an awesome hero and wishing success in the shop, the music the crypto portfolio and everything in your life and relationship
I see a you that is focused on becoming a better version of himself with high self-esteem and who care less about the 'noise in the market'
I had a good time reading your thoughts
Yeas, the noise in the market was so distracting. Not only investments but also with regards to marketing and competing. You don’t need to compete when you are one of a kind, and so I’m just doubling down on that and not worrying about the rest.
Thank you!!!
From every word, it's obvious that you got life figured out already. With such mindsets that you harbour, you'd get to experience nothing but excitement and positive energy flow. I know this, because I'm currently at that stage, sharing a similar mindset 🙂
lol well there are some things about life I haven’t gotten figured out but it feels like I finally have a positive relationship with life now! 💜
Stay in the flow! Excited to see others feeling it too! Thank youuu
Well, life tends to be sneaky but we adapt regardless 🤗
I love these for you. I'm trying to be more like you in terms of visuals as well. Keep doing you sis