Category: TIPS FOR ARTISTS From Rafi And Klee

Today, I want to share something personal, something I’ve been grappling with lately – the challenge of bouncing back from the edge of feeling creatively drained. It’s a journey I find myself on at this very moment.

A couple of weeks ago, a negative comment on one of my YouTube videos hit me like a curveball. What made it worse was that it came from someone I know. It wasn’t just a run-of-the-mill internet troll; it was someone I had a connection with. The negativity wasn’t even related to the video itself but was rooted in some unrelated drama involving a toxic person in my life. My knee-jerk reaction was, “I don’t need this,” and I firmly believe that when dealing with toxicity, the best course of action is to cut ties.

However, this incident coincided with the holiday season, the release of my calendars, and the adjustments that come with my daughter moving in. Balancing it all became overwhelming, and exhaustion began to creep in. The familiar feeling of not having enough time for everything, especially after facing an emotional hurdle, became all too real.

This year, my focus has been on simplifying – simplifying schedules, tasks, and life in general. But even with that intention, life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges our way. Many of you reading this may relate – just when you think you’ve got it together, a wrench gets thrown into the works.

In these moments, the typical response is to force ourselves to move forward, to push through the challenges and not display any weakness. But here’s the truth – suppressing and burying emotions is not a sustainable solution. It might seem like a good idea, but those buried emotions will resurface, and when they do, the impact can be profound.

So, what do you do when you’re caught in a whirlwind of emotions and a demanding schedule? The first step, and it might sound cliché, is to acknowledge and accept your feelings. Give yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling, and don’t rush the process. I’ve come to view myself as two entities – the boss and the employee. There’s often conflict between the two, with the boss demanding productivity and the employee feeling overwhelmed. It’s crucial to recognize and accept both aspects.

The next step is to take a break. Change your environment if needed. I find solace in what I call walking meditation – a mindful stroll to clear my mind. Following this, I practice mindfulness and relaxation, purposefully directing my thoughts. It’s about taking control of your mind instead of letting it spiral into negativity.

If inspiration strikes, I engage in a creative outlet without the pressure of it becoming work. It’s about creating for the sake of creating, not for selling or posting. This process, coupled with seeking inspiration from like-minded individuals, helps in regaining clarity and motivation.

At the end of the day, when you’re not feeling it, give yourself the space to heal. Our instinct is often to soldier on, but there’s strength in acknowledging your thoughts, processing them, and then moving forward with a clearer understanding of yourself and your goals.

Remember, you’re not a cog in your own machine; you are your own boss. Don’t let that boss shame you or make you feel inadequate. Take the time to focus on your relationship with yourself, practice self-love, and give yourself the space needed for growth.

So, if you find yourself at the brink, know that it’s okay to pause, reflect, and heal. You’re doing more than you realize, and sometimes, giving yourself the time and space you need is the best way to move forward.

Alright, that’s all I have for you today. I appreciate each and every one of you. Adios, and I’ll catch you next week.

Today, I’m diving headfirst into the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that often ensnare us artists in the pursuit of validation. Buckle up for some truth bombs and a few rambles about what we experience in this wild artistic journey.

Let’s unpack this: the world sometimes frowns upon our choice to weave dreams into reality. There’s this pervasive notion that being an artist is indulgent, impractical, and perhaps a touch on the childish side. But, spoiler alert—it couldn’t be farther from reality! You and I, and all of us creative souls, are the true change-makers, the visionaries of the world. We aren’t just decorators for the elite; we’re warriors wielding brushes, chisels, or words to shape the universe.

In a society fixated on the hamster wheel of ‘normalcy,’ many of us have done the corporate gig—punched the clock, treaded the corporate ladder, and danced the dance of conforming to predetermined roles. It’s almost like being a cog in someone else’s wheel, striving for bonuses, climbing that ladder, hoping not to get the boot in uncertain times. It’s a reality that sucks the life out of living, disguised as a mirage of security.

But here’s the rub: that ‘security’ is often a facade, a glittering illusion we’re taught to chase. The truth is, the sky’s the limit when you’re an artist. Sure, there’s no weekly paycheck guarantee, but what you invest is what you reap. As for me, the corporate pay was handsome, but it had a ceiling, a limit to the joy I could wring out of it.

Yes, there’s that incessant battle for validation, isn’t there? As an artist, explaining what we do can sometimes feel like describing a technicolor dream to a black-and-white thinker. It’s tough for people to grasp the multifaceted nature of our work. But, here’s the silver lining—embracing this unique path is a choice to express authentically, to craft something genuinely ours. It’s about donning multiple hats, being a businessperson, an artist, and a wild dreamer all at once.

Life isn’t a dress rehearsal. When we’re on our last voyage, it won’t be thoughts of more money or being ‘normal’ that crowd our minds. It’ll be the undying wish to have pursued our passions, embraced our authenticity, and shared our creativity with the world.

Our art? It’s more than a pretty ornament. It’s a catalyst for change, a gentle whisper nudging the world toward a more colorful existence. The mere act of boldly putting ourselves out there, embracing vulnerability, and persisting despite setbacks—each step chips away at the walls society builds around itself.

And here’s a truth bomb: we are dreamers, rebels against conformity. We’re not just living but striving for more, pushing against the mundane, and inspiring others to do the same. What we create, our art, leaves an indelible mark. It becomes a timeless echo, outliving our mortal selves.

So, keep that childlike wonder alive. Embrace the messiness of creation and revel in the chaos of your creativity. Your art matters. It’s not selfish, it’s practical, and it’s a blaze of inspiration. Don’t let the world dim that shining beacon of imagination within you. Keep creating, keep inspiring, and most importantly, keep being unapologetically you.

Until next week, keep shining bright, you wonderful beings. Adios for now, and let’s keep painting this world with our vibrant hues. Cheers to all the magical unicorns out there!