Isn’t it so easy to read quotes like the one from Seth Godin below, and think, ‘well that’s lovely, but it doesn’t apply to me’, or ‘one day I’ll really embody that’, or even ‘I know that’s true’ but then carry on not acting as though it is?
You might have come across, or been involved in, an exchange like this a few times:
Person 1: “I want to do this thing {make art/start a business/write a book/other creative dream} so much, but it’s all been done before. What can I possibly have to offer that we haven’t already seen a million times?”
Person 2: “It might be true that there’s nothing new under the sun, but that thing you want to do has never been done by you. And because of that it means that if you’re not doing it, there’s a hole in the universe that only you can fill. Your unique gift is valuable!” {or similar}
And then Person 1 is all like, maybe…… but you can tell they don’t really believe it.
I’ve been Person 1 and Person 2 in this scenario. Currently I’m Person 2, with very occasional protests from Person 1, which I tend not to listen to any more.
One thing we rarely seem to realise, and it’s becoming more and more clear to me lately, is the impact we have on the world.
Usually we don’t know because perhaps people aren’t used to saying so, or they’re shy to, or it doesn’t occur to them to let us know.
But when you start to get emails saying you’re inspiring, or someone tells you that you made them feel better about something that was worrying them about themselves, or you help someone do something you know how to do and they don’t, and they are happy, that’s impact.
I think we often assume that unless you’re doing something ‘huge’ ~ founding orphanages, appearing on Oprah, writing bestselling novels ~ what you do doesn’t count, or doesn’t count as much. If huge quantities of people don’t know what you’re doing, it’s somehow less valid.
And yet, how can that be true when you need only smile at someone to brighten and shift the feeling of their entire day?
So can you take this on board if I be all Person 2 on you right now, and say, your art is important in the world?
It’s important because it’s a gift you give to yourself by doing something you enjoy.
It’s important because self expression enables you to be more of who you are.
It’s important because being more of who you are benefits everyone. {Including you.}
It’s important because people who see your art can benefit from your gifts and talents.
Someone recently said to me, about something I’ve been holding back from offering because I’ve been afraid I’m not going to be ‘good enough’ at it, or that people will be disappointed in me ~ not doing this is actually kind of mean! Because you have this gift and you’re not sharing it!
She was joking, but also kind of not. 😊
I’m not suggesting there’s something wrong with you if you don’t want to share your art with the world, but if you’re not even letting yourself make it, something very important is still lost; your wellbeing. And then it can’t ripple out to others.
Seriously; make your art! Feeling better inside yourself quietly is more valuable than you can imagine.
{Steps down off soapbox.}
*******
One way to start growing the confidence to make and share your work is to practice alongside others walking their own version of that path.
If you feel you would benefit from some support, camaraderie, and maybe even some accountability, come and join us in the Happy Artist Studio!
We have a cosy and friendly community space, monthly themes to explore and grow as artists together, and you get access to all my courses to help you develop your art!
Click here to find out more and join us!
Always important, and yet always needs reminding- Share your gifts shiny one. Xx
Yes exactly Galia! I definitely need reminding of these things! And thank you. 🙂 xx
Great to hear. These are also my blocking thoughts, as well as “the world is sinking under all this clutter, don’t make more”
But I can’t function properly unless I am creating something. I have tried abstinence – it doesn’t work!
Hi Tonia, welcome! Yes that’s another one I hadn’t thought of – adding more to an already overflowing world! I still believe though that creating what comes from our hearts is not adding more clutter, but raising the frequency for everyone.
Beautiful post Tara. I love what you said about how just smiling at someone can change their day. We all have something important to offer and the more we live our truth and be the best version of ourselves that we can be, the better everyone around us will be. Feeling a little emotional over here 🙂
Ah thank you Stephanie! It’s so easy to forget {for me anyway!} that ‘tiny’ things are just as important, and often not tiny at all really. You and I have a similar outlook I think. 🙂
Ohh, I love this Tara, and totally believe we each have a piece of the puzzle of life to contribute – and no one else can do it for us. And our art may or may not be painting or what is traditionally known as art – this is about the art of life. Thank you!
Vicky I’m so delighted you visited and read the post! And absolutely, not at all confined to the painting type of art! The ‘art of life’ – exactly. 🙂 It’s funny really; such a simple concept and sometimes so hard to own.
There is a story I read YEARS ago about an emperor who chose an artist to create the most beautiful palace the world had ever seen. Knowing what usually happened to artists after the work was done, he killed himself as quickly as quietly as possible the day before the great unveiling. The emperor wept first for the beauty of the work, then for the loss of the artist, saying, “He didn’t understand. I would never have blinded such a man. An artist who cannot see is a man tortured beyond words. I would have given him an apartment next to mine, and unrestricted access to my wealth. My chefs would be at his back and call. He would have his choice of wives and servants, and travel unrestricted anywhere he wished. After a few years, he wouldn’t even miss his hands.”
The most painful times of my life were when I was forbidden from having an artistic outlet. So remember: Those who can–do. Those who can’t–criticize.
I love that story! Thanks for sharing it Lisa. {Although I’m inclined to think there is no one who ‘can’t’, only people who believe they can’t. ;)}