The Reluctant Artist Manifesto (an invitation)
Calling all the inhibited artists, the dancers hiding in dark and secret corners, the wanna-be writers holding entire worlds just waiting to be born.
All paying subscribers can download a free typography-designed printable version of the entire essay + the full compilation of high-resolution quote images from Instagram at the end of the post. Your paid support is a vital piece of my own creative process, and is deeply appreciated.
Dear reluctant creatives, inhibited artists, dancers hiding in dark and secret corners, & wanna-be writers holding entire worlds just waiting to be born.
You’ve got canvas and paint stacked in the closet and an entire novel bursting at the seams of your soul. You burn with the need to make things, but still—somehow do not.
Your doubt speaks loud and clear, but not loud enough to drown out the insistent call of your muse. You’ve something to say but the power of that message makes you want to shrink and hide.
What could happen if you unleashed it all?
What would change?
What would you lose?
What would they say?
Who would you be?
You can’t answer those questions, so you don’t do the thing. You resist and you avoid. You get caught in the loop of perpetual busyness and debilitating self-doubt. Random priorities push your call to create near the bottom of the pile.
You ignore the calling. You negate your gift. You aim for perfection and fall short. You speak unkind words directed only at yourself. You try to content yourself with everything but that wholly terrifying thing that you know you are meant to do.
That thing you are avoiding with all you have? It is your purpose. Your passion. Your art.
Enough, darling.
Enough with the excuses, enough with the fear, enough with that wild and unruly resistance, enough with all the voices that say you cannot or should not or must not answer this call. enough with every last obstacle in the way of you doing what you are here to do.
(i say this gently and firmly and with all the certainty I can express)
Enough, already.
You are here to create.
It’s time to show up.
Show up for yourself. Show up as yourself. Show up on your own time. In your own way. Show up with your wild broken open heart. With your tear-stained face.
Show up with ink on your hands and paint on your clothes. Show up terrified and full of doubt that this will ever work. With all your hopes and every last thing you can no longer believe in.
Show up to announce your letting go. Show up with whatever scraps you have left. Show up full force. Soul Blazing. Ready to burn that shit down.
Just show up.
Show up heart red and pulsing, ready to build. Show up to break the chains, to smash the cage. To say once and for all, I am done with restraint.
Show up to create. Show up with your paint and your canvas. Show up with your words of honey and wrecking ball and sunflowers and broken things. Show up with your hip's slow spin. With your wild, crazy, and impossible dreams.
Show up ready to map the wilderness. Show up to get eternally lost and found deep inside the brilliant emptiness that comes when you spill it all.
Show up naked. Open your arms. Let your voice ring clear. Tell them "Here I am. All that I am". Tell them that you won’t play small for one more day. Tell them you’re here for a reason. Tell them the resistance is over. The walls have fallen. The people are dancing in the streets.
Show up and change their minds. Show up and change your own damn mind.
Just show up.
Everything changes when you do.
What do YOU want to create?
Important:
If you are ready to face that resistance and place your creative calling (finally) at the front of the line, there are only two remaining opportunities to work with me in the upcoming quarter.
1. My 30-day journey, Wild Heart Writing, begins April 10th. This private group session is perfect for anyone who is looking to unleash their voice, dive into their story, and set their words free.
2. I currently have space for only one additional coaching and mentorship client this quarter. If you are ready for a gently held container of inspiration, guidance, and creative exploration, simply book a free 30-min Exploration Call to learn more.
All paying subscribers can download a free typography-designed printable version of the entire essay + the full compilation of high-resolution quote images from Instagram below. Your paid support is a vital piece of my own creative process and is deeply appreciated.
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