It’s six am and I’ve been sitting in front of my computer for an hour trying to figure out how to put onto paper what I want to express with this soap box I’ve been given, by being asked to write this guest blog.
Internally I know what I want to tell you. I know why I’ve been given this opportunity to guest blog for Scott freakin’ Kelby, I created the opportunity by believing that it would happen.
Through this journey of mine, I have been approached by many people thanking me for allowing them the opportunity to feel like they could be themselves and create art that speaks to their soul. 2018 Kelly can’t believe that anyone would feel like they are unable to express themselves and be their authentic self. 2018 Kelly needs to take a step back and remember the path she took to get to this point.
I was where you are right now….
I know sometimes you’re scared and you feel like you are not enough. I’ve been there. There are so many amazing photographers and SO MUCH beautiful work.
The question of how will you find your niche and create amazing art probably runs through your mind like a railcar… I know there are so many moments when you feel fear.
Fear of failure
Fear that your goals won’t be achieved
Fear of stepping outside of the box
I know this, because I have dealt with those emotions for as long as I can remember.
Before I started focusing on how my internal dialog affected my every day life, I was a mess.
Seriously.
My childhood was not an easy one, and I used those experiences to make excuses for my drama, my emotions and– at times– my negative attitude.
I told myself it was okay to lack confidence and doubt myself because I had heard it so often as a child.
I allowed myself to be taken advantage of and allowed my creative and internal voice to be muffled to accommodate other people’s agendas because I was afraid if I created something weird or out of the ordinary, people wouldn’t like me.
There was a time, not long ago, when I would be riddled with jealousy every time someone succeeded in a way I wanted to succeed.
You’ve felt it, too, haven’t you?
It was easy to find reasons to diminish their accomplishments and make myself feel better for not existing in a space where I felt successful and happy.
I recoiled at questions regarding my photography and art in fear of them stealing a piece of my pie, and the possibility of someone else moving ahead and creating the reality I wanted.
But that way of thinking was not projecting my passions forward…it was holding me back.
I knew I wasn’t happy, and that artistically I wasn’t even close to where I wanted to be. I needed a change, so I began engaging with others in a positive way. Even if they had negative feedback, I would try to answer and explain in the most loving way I could. Meditation and focusing on my spirituality became a driving force in my creativity, and to this day I feel out of sorts if I miss a day of self contemplation and personal focus. I realized how little effort I put into self preservation and happiness.
Every morning I set my intention for the day, and even though I may get derailed from time to time, try to live in the most positive way I can.
You don’t have to be scared. I know this because I have seen the proof in my own life and career over and over in the last three years and it has changed every aspect of who I am.
Through this journey, I consistently resonate with the belief that we create our own reality and that we have the ability to create the life we choose.
This has been a driving force throughout my entire life.
It wasn’t until I took the time to focus and realize it, that it truly changed my life.
Not long ago, the certainty of this showed itself to me.
March 2017 I created a mock-up of my art on a wall. The images were huge, and in a gallery-like atmosphere.
I felt an overwhelming sense of pride when I looked at that image.
I hung it at my desk and told everyone that within the year, it would become a reality. I was well-aware that it would be no small task, as it was crazy and completely out of the realm of what my reality would allow in that moment.
Fast forward to April 2018 I walked into the studio of RGG EDU to film my retouching tutorial, having had no input into the set that was created, the aesthetic, or the set up. That was one of the most jaw dropping, awe inspiring, amazing moments of my life.
Everything I had intended to happen was literally right in front of me.
Now, I’m not saying that you just need to print out an image, stick it on your wall and it will become a truth. It simply comes down to what your subconscious truly believes.
Have faith in yourself and your abilities. If you don’t believe in yourself, who will? I still struggle with self doubt, self esteem issues and at times, negative talk. The difference is that I’m aware of how those feelings impact my subconscious, and that those feelings will attract more negativity into my life.
There is enough to go around. I had to put aside my fear of sharing my knowledge and my fear that others would succeed in place of me, and realize that there is enough for everyone. That is definitely not an easy feeling to overcome, but once you realize the impact of sharing what you’ve learned and how you’ve accomplished it can have on others, it makes it a bit easier.
Lending a hand and sharing our knowledge only helps to bring about amazing things, incredible people and abundance into our lives. What you do for others, you do for yourself.
Set goals. Focus and decide what you want to achieve. Understand why you want to achieve your goal and start looking for ways to get it done. Don’t wait for life to happen.
Be nice people. I don’t think this needs much explanation. Life is too short, and there is too much beauty to allow negativity into our lives. React with kindness, compassion and love always.
I want to tell you that its ok to be weird, strange and kooky, I’ll still like you!
It’s okay if your art doesn’t fit into a box.
Rules are boring.
Your thoughts become things—you are a product of those thoughts and it will show itself in your work. So be positive, work hard and believe that you can have the life you want.
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes:
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader” – John Quincy Adams
Inspire others….become the leader!
You can see more of Kelly’s work at KellyRobitaille.com, and keep up with her on Etsy, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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