In this episode, I talk about how I am working to overcome my perfectionism in my art, writing, and business–taking inspiration from Simone Seol’s Garbage Post Challenge (Joyful Marketing Podcast Episode #160) and Anne Lamott’s “Shitty First Drafts” (in her book Bird by Bird) .

Perfectionism stops my creativity in its tracks. In this episode, I discuss how I have taken these messages to heart by taking time to experiment, to play, and to create without any expectations of the outcome. 

When we let go of our need to be perfect, we open ourselves up to our authentic selves, and this is where the magic lies.

Links Mentioned

• Simone Seol’s Garbage Post Challenge
• Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird (affiliate link)
• Book a 1:1 Coaching Discovery Call
• The Creativity Cocoon
• Art and Self on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

I was talking with my best friend last week about how I can get intimidated and feel “less than” certain confident people who can very easily articulate why they believe a certain thing with facts and figures, societal impact, pros and cons, etc. 

I can deeply feel what I believe and what I know to be true in my body. 

My body knows the complexity of the issue, the pros and cons, the impact, but a “feeling of knowing” in my chest is not something I can necessarily bring out in an intelligent way in a conversation about the issues. 

My body knows the heart or the essence of the issue, but sometimes I can’t get that knowing to come out of my mouth.

That’s when my friend had a mic drop moment. She asked…

“When has facts and figures ever changed anyone’s mind about anything? It’s the feelings behind it that always drive change.”

🤯🤯🤯

Of course facts and figures aren’t going to make the change. 

It’s our humanity that makes the difference. 

It’s our connection. Our compassion. Our love.

It’s our desire to express our humanity and our desire to see and be seen, to know and be known.

We need art for that.

This conversation was floating around in my head when my book coach made a suggestion that completely cracked me open.

Hear about that story on this week’s podcast episode, and how I might be starting to call myself *gulp* a poet.

Links Mentioned

• Art and Self on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

They say that those who can’t do teach. Unsurprisingly, teachers hate that phrase. It isn’t true. And yet, for so much of my life, I believed it.

I have artistic talent. I’m creative. But I never thought my work was going to hang in a museum. I never thought I could make a career from my art. I couldn’t even get an “A” in an art class where my teacher praised the effort I put into my work.

I could be an art teacher, but I would never be an artist.

When I would hear other art teachers or my own students downplay their creations and insist that they weren’t artist, I’d be the first to speak up. “Of course you’re an artist! You’re making art!”

But not me. I’m not an artist. I resisted the label mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally. My version of being an artist wasn’t worthy.

But something has shifted. I’m finally learning what it means to be an artist and to live my life as an artist. It’s playful, risky, experimental. It’s not about being good. It’s about the process.

Through the magic of attention, daily practice, and community, I’ve opened myself up to what the world has to teach me.

And that is why my 2023 Word of the Year is ARTIST. Join me on this year-long journey of connection and creativity as I share my insights on what it means to live life as an artist.

If you’d like to experience the magic of making art in community, join me in The Creativity Cocoon.

Links Mentioned

• The Creativity Cocoon
• Art and Self on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube