Vulnerability

Being a creator often means that when you share your creations, you are sharing pieces of yourself and putting them out into the world for others to perceive. When I create a piece of art or design something, there is something uniquely me infused throughout it. Because of this, it can be hard for me to believe that what I am creating is meaningful or will be appreciated by others. I often struggle with the fear of how my art will be perceived because it is inherently tied to different parts of myself and if my art or “voice” doesn’t have worth, what does that say about me as a person? 

I learned a long time ago that creating based purely on what is popular only leads me to burnout. When I create based on what excites me, what speaks to me, it makes the times when people connect to it all the more meaningful. I’ve worked hard to cultivate a belief that what I create in the world has worth and that my voice is important. I believe that there are people who will connect with my work and appreciate the parts of myself I am sharing. Spending time to develop a voice means you are more likely to reach the people who connect with it. You find your niche, your people, the ones who are like you, and appreciate the things you appreciate. You are seen and see the people who follow your creations in kind. To me, when this happens, the world feels less lonely and all the more beautiful.