The paradox of the creative process is that to be able to fully express yourself and sit into your energy, you can’t be too mindful of what others think of you. However, your success depends on what people think of you.
Creating and performing are sports reliant on responses. It’s an invitation to be perceived, it’s starting a conversation. I think that certainly creates a lot of discomfort that takes a seat in your chest and infiltrates the corners of your mind leaving you stranded. I wasn’t taught how to navigate that, and I don’t think most people are either. When you discovered that you had a talent, you had a choice. You could hoard it and hide it in the grays of your life. It could have stayed a “maybe” or a “potentially” but you made it a truth. You breathed life into an idea, and stepped on stage. That’s brave. I think people underestimate the brilliance required to be loud. We all have thoughts, but how many of us have something to say? How many of us have a contribution? It’s hard.
I fight with myself everyday with what I want to share. Do I want to share my world, my mind, my ideas, and my energy at all? Do I feel safe to do so? Do I love myself enough to withstand a harsh opinion? Am I mature enough to hold myself accountable to respecting that no one owes me agreement with my ideas? You have to be smart enough to understand that not everyone is your target audience the same way not everyone is your friend. The most common fear we share and the difference between those who do and don’t is the fear of being perceived and not accepted. It’s not your job to control what other people think of you. It’s your job to be honest with yourself about what you prefer, respect what other people prefer, welcome those who agree as your community, and understand those who disagree. Simple.
If you have a talent or a creative energy, you cannot lose sleep over what they will think. I understand monetization and giving what you know will be received, but I wholeheartedly think that you should create/share to feel vs. for the response. It won’t fill you the same. External validation is a mythical fuel. It’s subjective, unstable, and unsustainable. Don’t allow yourself to stay in the fragile place of relying on applause and nods. Dissent and resistance are unavoidable, and you should welcome it. Thinking critically is the power of humanity.
Your responsibility is your message, your demonstration, the point you are making, your purpose, YOUR WHY. Success is a byproduct of explaining yourself clearly. The only question you should be asking yourself is if you delivered. Did your audience receive the message that you intended to share? Did your fans watch you play your best? Did you paint the picture that lived first in your mind? Yes. It was received. What comes after that is in the hands of the masses so remove it from your back to carry.
Written for Flawed Talents, LLC.
