This is an open letter to all the creatives out there. We need you and your work. Every time a person steps into their purpose and shares their gifts, the world is better for it. It’s time to stop playing small, and start playing BIG.

There once was a girl who felt broken. She felt sad, and alone, and unloved. She lived in fear and regret and didn’t dare be herself. She would shrink down to the form she thought would be most palatable for others. She stayed quiet and said very little, for fear of saying the wrong thing.

Learning and accepting this fact has give me a sense of freedom. Letting go of the “I’ll be happy when I...” or “I’ll be successful when I...” myth and learning to live in the moment is a beautiful thing.
I’m not an expert at this. I have to remind myself constantly, but it’s starting to stick. Love who you are now. Keep learning and growing, always, but you are enough today.

When it comes to creative living or creative entrepreneurship, it’s important to know the power of no. When you’re starting out it will be tempting to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. The good, the bad, the “do it for the exposure.” I’m speaking from experience here. I worked with design clients who were not a good match for my style. I took on projects that I didn’t even offer as services. I said yes to outrageous timelines. This is an excellent recipe to get burned out pretty quickly. I do recommend trying new things, stretching yourself, and pushing your limits, but you don’t have to do it to your own detriment.

There are lies we tell ourselves every day. Sometimes they’re excuses not to go for the thing we really want, to protect ourselves from the possibility of failure. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we’re “supposed to do” we forget to listen to our own instincts. Here is my top five list of things you do NOT need to go after your dreams, whatever those dreams may be.

I used to think I could do everything, all the time, as it came to me. I said yes to every creative opportunity that came my way. I wanted to do it all, and I wanted to do it now. I’m here to tell you, you can do it all, but you don’t have to do it all right this minute.

I am anxious a lot. That information always seems to surprise people. People tell me I seem like I have it all together. I always seem like I have a plan. I’m always doing so many projects, or doing cool stuff with my kids. They’re not wrong, but the reason I always have a plan is anxiety. I reason I’m always doing a ton of projects is anxiety. This is how I deal.