Saying Yes to All Your Creative Selves
Part of why I’ve struggled for so long to accept myself as a working multidisciplinary artist is that I’ve felt;
I need to niche to become “successful” ie get big/rich/famous/survive the insanity of the world
There is something wrong with me/ I lack focus and determination
I have difficulty finishing projects and bringing them out into the world. If I only did one thing this would magically be easier
I kept circling around this idea for so long, coming back to this block time and again. It was only recently that I realized what these other underlying stories are that I’ve begun to move away from this narrative. It’s funny because I’ve always loved being multidisciplinary and truly believe it’s an asset to my creativity and joy… so why oh why did I still get hung up on this?!
I need to become niche to get big
This is interesting for many reasons, first of all, do I want to get big? What does success look like to me? Do I not have a unique set of gifts that I am perfectly suited to sharing with the world, namely my pursuit of many creative curiosities?
It is easy to get caught up in our cultures story that happiness and safety come from fame and fortune, however I am happy with a simple life. I want enough money to cover my bases, allow me to travel here and there, and buy healthy food. My financial requirements aren’t huge and the idea of being known at a large scale doesn’t actually appeal to me.
Most business advice I’ve seen out there says “get niche as the key to your success/ie long term financial and company size growth”. I don’t want employees, or to grow my business beyond me - I want a thriving career for myself; no exponential growth needed. Also, I am the only me there is… so whatever I make is my niche! It could be crochet masquerade masks, zines on flower essences, creativity coaching, a book about zombies… they all came through me and will be uniquely Callen flavoured. Same goes for you and your diverse array of interests and projects.
2. There is something wrong with me/I lack focus and determination
First of all, there is nothing wrong with me. There is nothing wrong with you. We all at our core are beings of love and compassion. So let’s be kind to ourselves.
Does being multidisciplinary mean we lack focus? Sometimes, sure. But not all the time. What it means is that I follow my curiosity which flows and spirals. I tend to have about a half a dozen small projects on the go (masks, dioramas, art dolls, earrings, book, bag, writing…) which I bop between depending on my mood and deadlines. I have focus, it’s just more widely spread compared to the pinpoint focus that our culture prioritizes so much (which helps you make ever more money and a bigger company…).
I’ve got determination like nobody’s business, I’m just determined to do something outside the typical narrative which is to live a creative life in which I get to treat myself gently!
3. I have difficulty finishing projects and bringing them out into the world. If I only did one thing this would magically be easier
Finishing projects… this is a monster that lurks in the back of my creative brain. Fear of never finishing anything and literally drowning in unfinished art projects… fear that no one will ever see or get to enjoy/benefit from my work because it lies hidden behind cabinet doors… fear that I’ll never make it as a professional artist because no one knows who I am or what I’m making… These fears can be absolutely paralyzing and if believed, can be a narrative that rules your life. First of all, it’s time to be gentle with ourselves - and examine what is this fear trying to tell me? What are my hopes and dreams that fear is trying to keep me safe from? Most likely your dreams are just as diverse as your skill set making YOU the perfect person to bring them into reality. Being niche aint gunna help you there. Also is it true that you’ve never finished ANY projects?? Not even one? If it’s helpful, examine how that project came to fruition and what led to the project being completed and shared with the world . I don’t think being more niche or more determined makes this wrapping up easier- there are different steps to the creative process that require different hats to be worn. Whether you are niche or multidisciplinary, there are going to be more boring, less glamorous or less passion filled aspects to the creation process. Figuring out how to gently move through these parts of the process will be different for each person. For me, buying myself a bubble tea for while I do more mundane tasks can help soften my resistance, or listening to inspiring creativity podcasts before I get to work can pump me up enough to coast through some of the brain numbing aspects of creation. Also, bear in mind that working on multiple projects likely means that it will take longer to complete any one of them. When I asked a successful artist for any advice on making it as a professional, he told me simply, “ Stay at it! Most people get discouraged and stop creating/showcasing their work. If you just keep pluggin away, you’ll get there eventually”. We’re in it for the long haul, my friends.