Since the day I was born I have been running on my own schedule. I was to grace this world with my presence on May 15th, but I don’t like being told when to do things and was suckered out of the womb screaming 8 days later.
Growing up I have always loved making things. I would write poems and draw pictures for my parents all the time. I spent hours skimming through craft books I found in the basement and would recreate my favorite pieces. I left trails of glue, scattered the floor with paper clippings, and left marks of paint in the carpet. In other words I drove my parents nuts with my constant mess of craft supplies and scraps.
However, art wasn’t my focus growing up. I loved filling my free time with drawing and making things but I had other interests as well. I enjoyed being outside digging up bugs, perfecting my stilt game, and terrorizing the neighborhood on my bike with my friends.
When I got to high school I kept up with my interest in creating by taking a new art class each year. I dabbled in drawing but I craved something new and unique. I tried ceramics, sculpture, and even metal smithing. I learned how to create purposeful pieces out of wood, delicate jewelry out sheet metal, and how to make a pot without using a wheel. During that time, I never considered creating as a career as I felt that my skills weren’t career worthy.
Eventually I shipped off to college to continue my education and I had no idea what to do with myself or my life. I knew what I like to do, make stuff, but being at a small liberal arts college there weren’t a lot of fine arts options. So I focused on other ways to create and express myself artistically. I took up piano lessons for a year and created an award winning documentary that currently holds over 80,000 views on YouTube and was featured on Television across the continental US. Even after all the success I found in these courses I still didn’t have the confidence to commit to a creative career.
Upon graduation, I found myself moving back home working at a job that was focused on data rather than creating. It was a challenge as I have never really took it upon myself in all of my education to focus on numbers and research. I have always just done things as I please and when I want to do them and if I didn’t like it I would forget it even happened. It really forced me to consider what I wanted out of life. If I am spending 80% of my life working, I better effin’ enjoy it right?
So here we are now. I created Mad Gal Media in hopes to spark some sort of creative energy that, I believe, we all posses. I don’t believe you have to train your whole life to be an artist, but it sure does help if you do. What I am getting at is that I am glad I took my time. It allowed me to explore so many different mediums even if I still don’t metal smith or play the piano. I learned a lot about myself each time I picked up an unfamiliar tool with the intention that what I was about to create was probably going to be garbage as it was new and unfamiliar. But that was exciting, knowing it wasn’t going to be perfect. It allowed me to grow my creative problem solving and focus on how to engage to my mind during moments of uncertainty.
Wherever you are in your journey, don’t rush yourself. Time is a precious gift that most people waste on doing things that others tell them to do or that they feel pressured into doing even if they don’t like it or feel that they aren’t ready themselves. When you take a moment to reflect you will start to discover the answers you are searching for.
I challenge you to do just that, reflect. Reflect on where you are in this present moment. What lead you here? Who has helped you? How have your helped yourself? Reflect and make a plan. The new year is here and there is no better time than the present to kick start the life you want to live. Have you always wanted to dance? Take dance lessons! Have you always wanted to run a marathon? Join a club! Whatever it is start off small and have fun with it. No is expecting you to be amazing at the first, second, or even the fifth try. But by actively seeking out your interests and trying to better yourself, you will make changes to your life you never thought to be possible.
Create the life you want to live by doing the things you want to do when the time is right for you. Don’t forget to challenge yourself, but know when to rest as well. I would love to hear what your goals are for this new year and how you plan to accomplish them. What do you want to try for the first time or what you want to try again? Message me, leave a comment, or post picture or video with the #createthelifeyouwanttolive.