Hello! Sometimes we have to take a hard look in the mirror. That’s what last week was like for me. I had my videos done and posted, but I couldn’t bring myself to send this newsletter. Something was holding me back. And it all came to light today. Keep reading to find out because I’m sure you might need to hear it at some point in your life…
Instead of each section being a different topic, as per uze, I’m taking you on a journey.
P.S. This is an unplugged edition, because I couldn’t find any good images that felt relevant. Stock photos for the sake of photos are not my thing. So enjoy this stripped-down, under-stimulating version :)
— Morgan
And more…
What do you really want? Be honest. Write it down.
Now ask yourself: Where am I stalling around going after that want?
That’s where I’m at right now. I want to keep selling my art. Simple. So why have I spent my free time starting a new project? Variety, perhaps. A creative itch I couldn’t scratch. Or just plain old misdirection. Ding, ding, ding!
This is also known as stalling. The truth is there is no risk in the web series I’m building here. People aren’t saying yes or no to it. It’s safe, and that’s why I’m doing it.
But I don’t want to live in the “safe” zone. It’s not fun, and it’s not where I want to expand. Expansion is much more fun when things are uncomfy. Because that’s where the rewards live, and not in complacency.
So does that mean I’m going to stop building the series? NO! Two seemingly opposing truths can exist at once. But I’m going to use it to "reverse psychology" myself into putting the same effort, and, therefore, spotlight, on the want I’m avoiding.
How I’m going to do that is next.
There is evidence out there that you can do the thing you’re afraid of. Yep. Trust me…
We do the “scary” thing without even realizing it in other areas of our life that feel more stable and less soul-baring. This is SO true for me: I can easily make these videos about a project where my entire soul isn't laid out in a combo of color and shapes on paper.
The skills, the effort, and the ability to do it are all there… Not applying them to my art is 100% me being held back by the fear. Because when things are precious to us, our instinct is to protect them. But when we do that, we cause more harm than we avoid, mostly by perpetuating a cycle of self-sabotage.
So ask yourself these questions to assess where you might be repeating similar patterns in your creative world. Use the answers to gain perspective, build the confidence to do the thing, and release that fear (which is lying to us all, btw.)
Think back to what you want… What are you afraid of around it?
How are you avoiding that fear? Is there something specific you’re using, doing, or telling yourself as an act of avoidance?
What would removing or pivoting your energy away from that look like?
What would happen if you faced the fear? What would leaning into the fear look like?
What’s the worst that could happen?
What’s the best that could happen?
Less is more. I know it. But I ignore it, often.
As humans, we can get stuck in the mindset that the behind-the-scenes we show needs to feel mind-blowing to be interesting to someone else. That’s the trap. The most “boring” task we don’t think twice about is often what someone else is dying to see.
Take the popular YouTube channel where a guy films himself driving his truck in Norway, aka literally doing his job. And people love to watch it because it’s something new and interesting to them.
So, I’m pivoting my videos back to my creative practice in general. Paring things back from the newest, latest (read: sensational) thing will benefit my entire process. It’ll allow me to share my web series journey naturally, without forcing the process, while keeping the focus on what I want to create and share most right now: my art.
Both are intertwined and the same in their differences.
They’re me. That’s the most important takeaway.
You are the creative and the main character, not the canvas you choose.
If you’re in a similar place, let that take some pressure off your plate, so you can be brutally honest with yourself about how you need to pivot your focus. Your creativity shouldn’t be creating more problems. Let it solve them and make your life more fun, just as it was meant to do.
I’m very into this round-up Wallpaper did on the chicest hotel merch.
The Met’s next Costume Institute exhibit is featuring John Galliano. I’m conflicted, tbh. What do you think?
Loving this feature on the coloring artist behind Ghibli’s iconic films.
WRITTEN BY
The latest in the world of creativity, delivered every Wednesday to help you stay inspired and get through the rest of the week.
*Never written with AI. Proudly featuring typos that my ADHD and I will likely miss :)
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