unwashed hair. no makeup. feeling inspired and silly. filtered in Black and White because I love black and white photos.

It’s easy to spend a lot of time striving to cover up for who we are.
To boost ourselves.
Prepare the ground.
Set the stage.

We are at the point we don’t even know we are doing it.
It’s a habit.

To believe we have to pretend to be more in order to be enough.

We filter.
We alter.
We edit.
We manipulate.
We shrink.
We blow up.

Let’s strip this down.

You, as you are in your work and life are unequivocally, irrevocably, irreplaceably enough.

You bring you to the table.
There is no other you to bring to the table.

Now, don’t get me wrong.

I am also under the strong belief that pride and ego are huge hinderance to true and deep work.
I believe that we are all replaceable in the grand scheme of a project, idea or effort.

No one person is the sole reason something can occur.
But we each have a part to play if we humble ourselves enough to play that very important role.

But this is it.

When we believe we have to boost ourselves in order to be enough we are letting pride ride the car. When we act like we are nothing important and yet passive aggressively drive from the backseat we are missing the whole entire thing.

It’s not about how you are the only one who could do something, it’s not even about convincing people that you are the right one to do something. It’s about being wholly and completely you in the you that you are when you do your life and work.

You don’t need to filter the images of yourself or your work in order to be important.

Show up as you.

The you that is human.
The you that has a history.
The you that still has growth to do.
The you that has accomplished so much already.
The you that has dreams.
The you that isn’t done learning yet.
The you that is vulnerable.
The you that is strong.

As Fred Rogers so perfectly puts in his song:

But it's you I like
Every part of you.
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings
Whether old or new.
I hope that you'll remember
Even when you're feeling blue
That it's you I like,
It's you yourself
It's you.
It's you I like.

Everything Is Spiritual | Rob Bell

I have followed Rob Bell’s writing for decades now. He continues to stay anchored in core truths while also exploring the depth in what people today are aching for. His stream of consciousness style has always spoken to me, and here we get to let it sink into our bones. In many ways, maybe it’s his leaning to stream of consciousness that has allowed him to explore so much in thought, theology and open discourse with others.

We know those waters. Loss and pain and grief and wounds and not knowing what to do or where to go or how to deal with the agony of life. We know those waters. There’s spirit in there, hovering, waiting to bring something new out of it. This is why people who inspire us the most always have been through those waters. They’ve expierence that hovering. They’ve seen that new creation. - Rob Bell'

Sex & Vanity | Kevin Kwan

This book was highly disappointing for a myriad of reasons. It’s hard to truly finish a book I dislike but it is more difficult to write about why I dislike it so much. It’s art. All art is subjective. I write more freely here because I am a huge fan of Kevin’s ‘Crazy Rich Asian’ series which I believe broke barriers, was written with a beautiful wink to both the reader and all those who may relate.
Sex and Vanity is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen with a Chinese culture slant. Some elements work and most do not.
My biggest issue is that this reads exactly what it is: a man writing a female lead. Our protagonist comes off not only a fabrication of a man’s mind, but hallow. Her thoughts, her mannerisms all described were exactly why we have problems for young women. When men write us to be that hollow, that flimsy of character, all we get reflected back to us are the shallow and flimsy filters of ourselves.
Many women have these elements about their personality and character, but ALL these women have dynamic range to many degrees.
Case and point: Sophie Kinsella’s character Rebecca Bloomwood in the shopaholic series is outrageous. Completely out of this world shallow and airy. But we believe her. We laugh at her and with her. We find ourselves in her and we may know her. Why?
Because women written by women will always come from a different place than men writing women.
Men can do it, I believe they can, I have read books that are enrapturing and feel true to soul, but this…this was not it.

Films / Television Series of Note:

The Crown S04 - for the beauty of historical adaptations that give room for the complexities of people, a construct and an institution.
Fleabag S01 - for the raw honesty of a woman processing through trauma on multiple levels of her life. Cringe worthy and yet also insightful if you can sit through it to fully understand the various broken characters.
Before Midnight - Utter realness. Capturing the realities of a relationship, the good, the precious and the ugly and not discounting any of them as more or less important to the total sum of what it means to love another.

Three videos I made for a sweet and lovely spirit who lives across the country.
They aren’t perfectly produced due to a time crunch, but they did what I wanted them to do.
I wanted her to know how much I cared about her on her thirtieth birthday despite the distance.
Each video encapsulates an area of our friendship in one way or another.

Where are your spaces where creativity exists?

A kitchen?
An office?
A patio?
A studio?

In our new home we are blessed by the previous influence of an artist. She left a space that breathes creativity.
And slowly but surely we found ways to adapt it for our daughter where she can putter, draw, write, paint… it’s massive.

Thankfully creativity doesn’t require big or small spaces.
It will be happy to join you at play in whatever size space you choose to meet.

It fills every crevice.

Over the course of this year I have been taking more seriously the spaces of creativity in our home.

My office / writing space was clearly defined early on in our move in last year.

Now I focus on our music / reading room.
Her creative room.
Our kitchen.
His office.

Spaces where our minds will wonder, ponder and sink into something entirely different.
Where our hands can move, play, explore and create.

Where is your creative space?
How do you cultivate it?

Beth Freeman art.

Earlier this Spring I worked on a cozy warm piece for CBC.

I was beyond thrilled with the results and collaboration it inspired.

Take a read and a listen here.

Spring has arrived and it has teased us with sprinkles of snow before settling into the purely Nova Scotian winds and rains that we are all used to.

The overlap of winter and spring.

With a new season,

a new playlist.

Highlights from the list:

Everyday People - Sly & The Family Stone

I first heard this song sung by Nicole C. Mullen and have always found a certain amount of joy, revelation, inspiration and insight in it. A song that seems to resurface over and over again through the generations.

It’s You I like - Fred Rogers

This song is a comfort. As a family we have been sinking into Fred Rogers words since the early days of the pandemic. There is a deeper message in his songs and episodes that translates even to the youngest of hearts. His songs make me a better person, parent and better to even my inner self.

Manhattanite - Frook

Gives that pep to my step. I have loved hearing it when starting a drive or my day.

I Know Things Now - Lilla Crawford

I wasn’t aware of Into the Woods as a musical until my early twenties. The entirety to of it speaks to me deeply. In part, because I think we all can relate to being in a season of confusion at one point in our lives or another. The awareness this character sings about although from a child’s perspective is a beautiful window into what it means to become self-aware and the revelation it can bring.

I think it's safe to say that Women Making Waves 2020 was a banner conference weekend. Not only was it a particular anniversary year, but it was also the last weekend we would all be gathering like that for a long, long while. For many of us, it was our last social event of the 2020 year.

It only made sense that we would want to recreate some of that connection, opportunities and space for our 2021 conference but the 'how' during the restrictions was a huge question.

I also think it's safe to say that the committee and forces that made Women Making Waves 2021 happen are forces.

Not only was the conference still happening and all over various webinar platforms, but it was one of the most accessible events yet.

Highlights for me:

Using the Medium of Film as a Tool for Activism with Elena Rossini and Donna Davies.

Elana's passion and compassion for others are evident not just in her documentary The Illusionist but also in her presence, conversation, and how she articulates her approach with her work.

What do Script Suprivisors Do Anyway?

As a writer, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Daniela Saioni's methods of madness to keep continuity and intention behind a story in the front of her work and methods as a script supervisor. She also had many antidotes as a writer herself that made me fully enthused about taking notes the whole time.

Nothing About Us Without Us Understanding What With Us Truly Means

Kay Douglas, Sarah Podemski, Nathalie Younglai, and Lindsey Addawoo were absolutely on fire with their grace, insight, depth, and honesty. They managed to create a space where they honoured each other in the process of their sharing. These are women blew me away with their ability to sink into each other and the topics discussed.

My Take-Aways

• Work to create the space for others outside of yourself. When you think you've done that, create even more space. There's always more room to grow and discern what voices you are missing at the table.

• The message behind who you are and the work you are doing matters. It can have other outlets that come from its one main form.

• Appreciate each other.

• Embrace your methods of madness in work.

• Don't be a jerk when giving feedback. Be appreciative of the work it took to create and think deeply about what this creator may need to be asked to bring it to its next best level of itself.

• Sometimes there are technical difficulties, but we're all doing our best to show up, muddle through, learn and create something along the way.

I hit a lot of duds this month which you won’t see here.
I do my best to let myself off the hook if by 50-100 pages in I am finding it rough to continue.
One in particular this month, I read 75% of it before I admitted it to myself and a few fellow book friends that it was a terrible read. Not worth finishing.

Two re-reads are in this month. No complaints.

The Hobbit | J.R.R. Tolkien

My Uncle gave me this for my 9th birthday. His inscription has always made me smile. I thought I’d pick it up again after all these years and see what I thought. To date, the opening line and proceeding paragraph is my favourite in all of the literature I have read.

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort”

It pulls you in and welcomes you into the space that J.R.R Tolkien wants you to know about on a deeper level.
Although I have never been enthralled by all the scenes of battle, chase etc, I do utterly still love this book for it’s narrative, descriptions and overall wizardry of words that makes the reader feel as if this world is alive in their heads.

Voyager | Diana Gabaldon

A re-read. Voyager still stands as a great third instalment of the Outlander series. Bringing Claire back into the 1700’s to Jamie in a create and innovative way. Love how some modern references make their way into their relationship as Claire tries to relay the daughter they share she raised ahead in the 1950s/60s. If you havn’t read this book, be prepared at how much adventure and spins there are in the last quarter.

The Princess Saves Herself in This One | Amanda Lovelace

The second book from Amanda Lovelace I have read.
I noticed a lot of critique over how Amanda portrays her poetry. I find it beautiful and relatable. All women and young women deserve a space to place their words out to dissect them, open their wounds and realize that their wounds although their own and unique, are something we can visit and understand, find the pain and healing in from her simple yet well articulated thoughts.

Light is different in the spring.

It washes over us like an antiseptic.

Clean.

Simple.

Warm.

I have been working on projects and reflecting along the way during the winter months.

this Spring there is a a tangible force I can’t deny.

It comes in the concept something like this:

Give the light space to breathe.

We are so busy trying to package up our thoughts, arguments, perspectives, projects and insights that we so often miss that beautiful moment that happens when we have allowed space.

What if, in our conversations, our work, our existing in the hard and the easy that we allow it all to be washed in sunlight?
We step back and breathe and see what happens in the silence of it all?

Whimsy? Abstract? A bit “What-the-heck-does-that-even-mean?”

Yes.
And,
It means something like,

Shedding our critique, holding our rebutle, caring for the why behind a project more than the “show” of it, standing still when questions are formed…

It means that we might see things and feel things differently in the light of it all, rather than only see it shaped in the corners of our minds.

If this was easy, there would be no writing about it.

Yet,

As I work and play this Spring I will be working to make space for the light to breathe.

Winter was a season of a lot of sinking into the moments. Taking time to rest on snow days, working hard at the desk on paper work and pitches and staying connected with loved ones.

Air Pods | Apple

I was beyond thrilled to be given these from Jeremy for Christmas. If you know me, you would know that the amount of time I spend attached to headphones is a bit ludacris. Zoom meetings, researching, writing, working with background music, listening to podcasts as I do chores (not all appropriate to have on while a little is present), talking to friends and family while I fold laundry or whatever… headphones are a thing for me.
Needless to say…I use these at minimum 3 hours per day. At most, 6-7 hours.
Worth it.

Cozy Love Candle | Blooming Studio

I do my best to buy soy candles with safe products in them. This Etsy store was a great find and I have a small amount left I will be able to burn next winter.

Word Magnets | Indigo

I couldn’t find it on there website, but years ago I found a box at Indigo of magnetic poetry and recently found another set that was focused on more wellness inspiring words. Putting my old set and new set together I have found a renewed love for using words on my fridge.
I’m sure my friends and family are rolling their eyes heavenward at this quirk of mine. I adore this small but meaningful habit.

Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Face Cream | Fresh / Sephora

A pricy night cream. The one thing I will say…I ADORE the smell and I am a huge fan of ‘fresh’ as a company.

Sail Necklace | Dana Grund

A Christmas gift From Jeremy and our five year old. This necklace is a tribute to our first home. Where we could hear the sail boats make ‘ting ting ting’ sounds in the wind.

Cement planter with Evergreen branches | Winners

A small find this winter at Winners. I am not one for an overly decorated home. But I do love bringing a seasonal nature atmosphere into the home. These little cement planters encompassed that for us.

The Home Edit Life | Indigo

A Christmas gift from the ‘sis in law’. She knows my weaknesses.

I have been reflecting a lot lately on the beginnings of words, storytelling and creation in me.

It is not the beginning as far as when I became a storyteller per se, which I believe is an embedded truth in my DNA and life.
It is more how I have developed over the past decade.

Leaving one career.
And exploring another.

In my early twenties, I experienced a truly devastating situation. One that I have been brought back to again and again in my journey of healing. I am reminded of the damage that humanity can inflict on one another when not taking the greatest of care. Myself included.

This was the turning point for me.

I had a choice to make.

Either I let this take me out emotionally, spiritually, physically etc., or I take back my voice.

The Chronicles of the Dramatics Society has many moments where I look back and think of all the things I would change with the experience I have now.

And yet, it still has the heart and the soul of me embedded into it.

Doing this one small show was my first vital lesson that creativity and storytelling are about showing up with a vision, executing it to the best of my ability, and finding joy in the process.

Writing and producing this hour-long play, I found forgiveness for myself and others, space and grace for what is hard to explain and a deep desire to pursue this new side of myself—the side with a voice and a vision.

So albeit I wouldn’t claim this as high art or anything that is incredibly skilled, but that I am proud of it, its raw, vulnerable nature…

and that if I had chosen to stay silent in my pain, I would not be where I am today.

Top Centre - Clockwise : Blue Long Sleeve | Second hand find from Auntie Nicole, Crayons | source unknown, Robe | Winners, Reading socks | Indigo, Good Night Rebel Girls Book 1&2 | Indigo, Pyjamas | Gift from Mimi & Yeye, Calico Critters | Christmas / Birthday gifts from family, Roots Joggers | Roots, Jeans | Old Navy, Baby doll | MiniKane , Pink Dress | Second hand find from Auntie Nicole, School Books | Various family members, Ready Set Draw Activity | Auntie Jasmine & Uncle Tyler, Long Sleeves | Old Navy, The Compete Baking Books for Young Chefs | Indigo, Beads | Christmas Gift from Mimi & Yeye, Christmas Doll Dress | Handmade from Auntie Nicole

This season we have found that our growing girl is all about re-wearing her favourites to till they are thread bare. Many of the new purchases to fill out her wardrobe never got touched as she would rather wear her ‘favourites’.

New to Her

Cloud Pyjamas

A Christmas gift from her Mimi & Yeye, these pyjamas fit perfectly and are the sweetest things on her.

Jade Minikane Doll

With the help of her dear Auntie Nicole we were able to get this new baby doll in time for Christmas. To say it was her favourite gift is an understatement. She was in awe of this lifelike baby and she cares for it so tenderly. A purchase we will never regret.

Reading / Cozy Socks

Worn through a pair she received from a ‘great aunt’ two years back, she begged for replacements.

Still Going Strong

Roots Joggers

Although they are becoming shorter on her, these joggers are long lasting and her favourites. We will definitely replace when she has outgrown them.

White Robe

This beautiful robe is becoming smaller and smaller on her but she loves it so much. We love seeing the joy she gets from it.

Time to Go

What needs to go she’s been ‘over wearing’. It’s almost comical how hard it is to get her to wear anything else. A few items are not seen here as they were either on her body when this picture was taken, or in the wash. (yoga pants, shirt, pink and grey zip sweater)

What isn’t shown here:

Pink Zip Sweater, Old pair of Reading socks, Pants outgrown, Pyjamas outgrown

Kaitlyn Adair from Rebel Film Productions graciously invited me on her series ADHMe to discuss the in’s and out’s of self regulation and what it looks like to be productive.

Ep.2 Description
ADHMe episode two: Productivity

I talk with @byamygrace about productivity, tuning into self, and how to have one seriously organized week!

Amy’s self-regulation practices:
-Monday to Friday:
Wake up at 6am (have everything prepared the night before so wake up is cared for)
Block the day into 4 hour chunks and theme the blocks in a way you like. (Amy’s were glow up, production, creativity, and connection).
0 inbox-organize emails

-Weekend:
24 hours unplugged, free time

-Once during the week: write night, make it a thing.

-Be present to self. Reflect, consider, action.

Link Here <—-

Top Centre - Clockwise : Soyia & Kyo Winter Jacket | The Bay, Christmas Pyjamas | Suzy Shier, Cozy Love Soy Candle | Blooming Studio TO, Yoga Shirt | Lulu Lemon, Yoga Pants | Aerie, Bye Bye Under Eye Brightening Cream - It Cosmetics | Sephora, Lotus Anti-Aging Moisturizer - Fresh | Sephora, Pleather Pants | RW&Co, Burgundy, Beige, Black Turtle Necks | RW & Co, Skinny Jeans | The Gap, Resilence Fragrance | Bailly, Henley Shirt | Aerie, Star Sweater | Aerie, Joggers | Roots, Sails Necklace | Dana Grund, Rose Gold Watch | Fossil, Brown Button Sweater | The Gap, Voyager - Diana Gaboldon | Chapters, Oversized Beige Sweater | H&M.

Kicking into a new year, new work projects and a new routine made me realize that although I have comfort in working from home during the pandemic, I do miss pulling out more of my ‘eventing’ clothes. It’s clearly reflected here that my main focus is comfort, with a professional flare.

New To Me

SOYIA & KYO Jacket

This purchase took me over five years to make. During pregnancy in the fall/winter 2014/2015 I broke the zipper of my winter jacket to a point where it didn’t make financial sense to try to fix it. Since then I have been able to get by with older jackets and more than a year ago I purchased a nice wool jacket with a good hood. That being said, one cannot wear a wool jacket while playing in the snow without causing it damage. This year I bit the bullet and purchased this hefty jacket which will hopefully last me decades.
So far, it’s living up to my expectations.

LuLu Lemon Long Sleeve

For the longest time I have wanted an exercise top with long sleeves. I often go elsewhere for workout clothes, but upon much research this top came one of th highest recommended. I love it. Again, another pricey purchase I am hoping will last me many years.

Brown Knit Button Sweater

I have a confession to make. I convinced Jeremy to buy this. He isn’t one to spend time thinking about what he needs. I usually do this for him as I get tired of him putting himself last. But the real sneaky side of me, has to admit, that as women, we all know that mens sweaters are the best, and I may be wearing this more than he is at this point. I will take it off the moment he turns around and it’s obvious he wants it for the day… but, I grew up watching my mom walk around the house in my dads sweaters… it’s a thing. Hard not to do it myself.

Still Going Strong

Pleather Plants

I adore these pants from RW&Co. Being black they go with everything, and they are stretchy so it’s not an uncomfortable wear. One would have to tare these out of my cold and dead hands. I love them that much.

Turtle Necks

I took a break from turtle necks when I left my interpreting career. I needed to find a new me. But now that I am fully rooted into a different profession and feeling (mostly) confident about my place in it…I have to admit, welcoming turtle necks back into my life is like embracing a serious side of myself that I had missed. I love them and in the maritime chill of the autumn/winter, they do more than just make me feel snappy. They are so cozy.

Time To Go

Reading / cozy socks

I have worn my thick socks around the house to the point of holes. It’s no real surprise. They can only last so long. I will have to retire a pair or two by Spring.

Thankfully I have built my winter / autumn wardrobe up well now that not much has to be tossed or replaced.
Next year, I will try to focus on getting a pair of winter walking boots (for trails and nature walking) as the two boots I have now are best suited for city or side walk walking.

2020 threw us all for a loop.

Every. Single. One. Of. Us.

One way I have found that has kept me afloat in my own processing of it, is to pursue work that lifts up others and brings the real, along with the unique to the forefront.

It was a no brainer for me to produce this beautiful project ‘Owning It’, alongside CBC producer Natalie Dobbin and photo/videographer Claire Fraser to create a three episode series featuring local to Halifax businesses owners who are finding unique ways to ‘own’ their businesses and life.

For more on this project, check out this landing page where you can listen to the interviews, read the articles and deep dive in these amazing individuals and the businesses they continue to cultivate.

Owning It

Zen in the Art of Writing | Ray Bradbury

I was immediately taken by these essays in their simplicity and directness. It reminds me of Elizabeth Gilbert and Anne Lamott all mixed together. I appreciate anyone who can find a way to put the art of writing into terms of both practicality and mystically. Both sacred and and not all at once.

Howards End | E.M. Forster

Howards end is a must read for anyone. Clearly we havn’t learned the lessons in this book yet and although set in the early 1900’s when so much was changing in society, we still see that need to cross the boarders of ‘the others’ and as Margret would say “Only Connect”. That is the entire point of this novel. If that we could only stop over analyzing everyone, and everything and just simply ‘connect’ with the other, we might find that we have something to learn, find and understand in ‘the other’.

Untamed | Glennon Doyle

Opening with a clear and beautiful analogy about a captive cheetah trained to chase a rabbit to stretch it’s legs and the wild in each of us (especially women) who society has trained us to stay poised, tame and quiet in our place, this book has it’s punches and it was a lovely slow read to digest. I would suggest this read to anyone who wants to ponder words, but also with the understanding that this reads more like a journal in the second half.

The Miniaturist | Jessie Burton

I forced myself to slow down upon reading this one, as the narrative is mysterious, intriguing and fully flushed out. I enjoyed learning about this woman and the house she resides in with every page and chapter. Knowing that there is a mini series to enjoy only makes this read sweeter still. One for the memory books.

Film & Television Series

Before Sunset | for the beautiful artistry of relational dynamics and the capture of stream of conscious conversation.
Killing Eve S03 | for the beautiful through line of thrilling dynamics mixed with an irresistible comedic affect.
Julies Greenroom S01 | for the absolute joy of Julie Andrews & Jim Henson Puppets in one project.

In late 2020 I ended up riffing a pilot episode idea with my husband as we were getting ready for bed.

The more we talked, the more we got excited about the idea. Within minutes of showering, nightly skin-care routine, and plugging in our iPhones, it felt like an opening scene was taking shape.

I ended up writing that scene to humour him and myself.

I let him read it over Christmas break.

Cut to the new year, and I knew I wanted to work on this concept more, but how?

I had other projects to attend to.

So we decided to set a goal of a specific page number a week.

It has been a rewarding and fun experience.

He gets to read and enjoy the development process of making something from nothing once a week, and I get to have a specific type of accountability that keeps me current with my goals.

In this, it’s not about perfection, but about the progress and attempt to continue the narrative.

Who knows where this one will lead us, but it’s connecting us in something I am working on. It’s an enjoyable and challenging diversion that grows me and, it gives us something to discuss that is more than just “what’s the next chore that needs to be tackled?”

We made a goal at the end of 2020 to start to make an effort into dining together more.

Our current lives as a family doesn’t lend itself to the traditional ‘family dinner’ every night, but we do find joy in eating and experiencing that togetherness through the creation of food, atmosphere and conversation.

It seemed the best way around this was to pick a handful of recipes out at the top of the month and make sure that we make the effort of enjoying those meals together however and whenever we make them. It also means that during the times we are busy, we can fill in with our fav meals or our go to healthy fillers (salads, smoothies, oatmeal etc)

As a sampling
For the month of February we settled on the following:

DINNER

Spicy Pesto and Asparagus and Ricotta Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto
Phone Box Red Wine

FIKA / COFFEE BREAK

Linzer Cookies

We also choose a new / seasonal recipe for:

Breakfast
Lunch
Happy Hour
Dessert

Doing this at the top of the month allows us the freedom to go with the flow of our week, not put too much pressure on when we can have a sit down meal / dining time together, but it also gives us the motivation to find ourselves in the kitchen with music on and enjoy the foods of the season.

Let’s just say that this month was a lot of chocolate, and decadent recipes.

Cora & Karen Lynds

Boutique owners of KC Label

This lovely mother and daughter-in-law duo started their small boutique business after getting momentum from the masks they were making for friends and family.

Cora being a full time masters student, often works on her side of the business in the evenings and Karen during the day or whenever she sees she has time for it. Their approach is to go at a pace that fits their day and life in the moment.

Both Cora and Karen are passionate about keeping their business model light, part time and full of fun.

INSTA LIVE <——

MORE CORA & KAREN

WEBSITE

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/KCLabel

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/label_kc/

Somehow, somewhere, at some point we are apt to find ourselves believing that in order to do what we feel intrinsically called to do (especially those called into creative industries) we must sell our whole selves to an industry in order to be taken seriously.

To be a writer, one must be churning out manuscripts, scripts, poems and plays like machines.
To be an actor one must be in every topical show, series, performance that the current society is raving about on twitter.
To be a visual artist, one must have a booming social media account full of Lucious images that gain a million likes within seconds of posting.

Somehow we have found that this means ‘success’ and that this is what we need to do in order to be validated in our work, our life and our ultimate existence on this earth.

It’s all a lie.

All of it.

If you write, you are a writer.

If you act, you are an actor.

If you make visual art, you are a visual artist.

How much or how little is irrelevant.

How many people know your name is a selfish and silly game the creative industries and society have taught us to believe equals our self worth.

What matters?

How much of yourself is in the work you do?
How are you showing up for your work, not just in the moments you do it, but also the moments you don’t?
How do you cultivate and create space for those that consume, collaborate and support the work?
How do you honour your own rhythm and pacing?
How are you living not just within the work, but outside the work?

Everything informs everything.

Martin Short is known to have this idea that he is only the sum of his total whole self. If he has nine sections of his life, and one aspect of his life isn’t doing the hottest at any given moment then the rest of those parts, no matter how seemingly important or unimportant are all part of the balance to remind oneself, being successful at one part of life, but terrible at the other parts does not mean success. But to find ways to honour varying aspects of oneself, is to approach life and work as a whole person.

Creatives like to think they are the best or the worst depending on the day.

I’d like to see more of us believe that we are just like each other.

Human beings answering a calling as best they can while working to be there for their friends, family, side projects, personal growth and everything inbetween.

We are more than our awards, subscribers, honourable mentions, our nominations and our successes, or lack thereof.

We are people.
Living.
Breathing.
Thinking.
Reflecting.
Working.
people.