The Journey of an Artist – Part 2

Dealing with FOMO and the subtle art of not giving a f*ck.

I make it no secret. I dream that one day I’ll be an internationally recognized artist. Although I have no idea of how I will get there, I know that I am on my way.

Just wing it. Life. Eyeliner. Everything. PC @zjzade

**I aspire to be someone that someone aspires to be. (Kenzie D)**

You are probably wondering where I get all this certainty from a whole lot of uncertainty?  I believe that all experiences: good and bad, creates an opportunity for self improvement. As long as I am a better person than I was yesterday, the destination I am going to, has to inevitably, be a good one.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the everyday hustle, that we forget to stop. Take a moment. And appreciate the little victories; ones we may not even acknowledge as a victory, at that given moment. We live in a culture where if you’re not busy, and constantly on the hustle, then you are not striving for success.

Although I also find myself caught up in the cultural epidemic that “crazy busy,” is good, now and again I find my inner yogi and take deep breath. I let go of my ever-growing to-do-list, and just count my blessings.

Breathe. Keep it simple. PC @zjzade

I have found that, the less worried I am about what is next on my long list of hustle items, the more things just go my way. I believe it is because I purge anything on my list that feels like, “I should do this,” and I prioritize anything that I just really want to do. Let go of everything you don’t. No, that doesn’t mean I just binge watch a season of The Walking Dead, instead of getting to work. (Because I really, really do just want to do that some days!!!)  It means that I prioritize anything I am passionate about, anything that makes me excited to see in existence. Things like an artwork idea I’ve had for months, or organizing a pop-up market with other local artists. These are the things that make me excited about my day, things that I don’t need a to-do list for, because I know that I would do them anyway.

Brene Brown says it best when she describes that sometimes, our choices are based on “the fear of missing out.”

This is ultimately a subtle message to all my fellow creatives and entrepreneurs to start the subtle art of not giving a f*ck. Stop being busy for the sake of being busy. Don’t get caught up in the daily grind and forget what you are working towards. Unless something is bringing you one step closer to a life you’ve always imagined… then don’t do it.

I say BURN your to-do list. Start a fresh page.

Sincerely,

Ave