Let’s talk about change – the realness of it – and what it looks like within ourselves, our work, and our relationships. As humans we typically dislike change, even if we’re convinced we’re in favor of it. When change happens the amygdala interprets it as a threat and releases the hormones for fear, fight, or flight. We’re too familiar with carrying on without change. When in reality we as individuals need change to grow – As artists. As friends. As lovers. As individuals. As ourselves.
I’ve been going through a strenuous amount of growing pains and change lately (in a good way) and I’ve been reminded of a few things during this season.
My work will suffer if I don’t address internal things that need to be resolved. If I care about my art, my messaging, and the integrity of my artistic output – then I need to straighten myself out or my passions will be the first thing to take the hit. The Newsletter itself is a project that I personally look at like a long form art piece – one that is improved and given new brush strokes and pigment with every installment. Its intrinsic multifaceted nature lends to this concept. However, it does suffer when I’m struggling with keeping myself in line.
Things that would typically bring me joy won’t elicit the same feeling if I’m subconsciously playing dodgeball with my raw self. I personally have trouble ‘faking’ my day to day if there’s turmoil at the bottom of my barrel. I’m learning how to clean out that barrel and maintain it slowly but surely. My soul can’t juggle two versions of me – and therein lies the growing pains.
The most important one – our relationships will suffer. As if the first two things weren’t enough reason to address growing pains, this one is reason enough on its own. This concept isn’t news to me in any way, but I’ve been reminded of how important it is to check myself and keep my emotions in order for the sake of not only my work, my art, or my day to day routine – but for those I love. This is the ultimate lesson that we all have to re-learn in every stage of life.
In light of these revelations – I’ve decided that this installment of The Newsletter will by my last.
Thank you for reading.
I’m kidding – Although I do have plans to turn all of these installments into a more permanent piece of art and remove them from your inbox, this is where we’re at right now – don’t worry.
I know this installment wasn’t quite as artistically driven as some in the past – it wasn’t a conceptual exploration or a thought provoking conversation on why some art is good and some is bad. I’m not apologizing, rather just acknowledging that this thing is intended to deliver a plethora of variety and thoughts. I feel that it’s imperative to those of you subscribed to this project, myself, and the integrity of The Newsletter as a whole to share my rigid experiences that come with a learning how to create habitually and build something that provides insight and honesty.
That being said, consider this installment of a glimpse behind the curtain of what goes into a laying another brick onto the foundation that is The Newsletter.
As always, thank you for reading – and know that I appreciate those of you that reach out in search of more conversation after each installment.
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