When I started my website in 2017, it was a blog and CV primarily. It felt hugely exposing but I’d got to a point where I wanted to share my work with the world and be less reliant on the organisations I worked for.
I had ideas for branching out into services but primarily it was a space to share lifestyle updates and insights from my work in the creative industries. It was a form of medicine from burn out if I’m honest and a space just for me. I’m writing this to share a journey and to show you that if you just start MAGICAL things happen.
I find it really weird when people say ‘you have it all together’ and ‘you must be so proud of xxx’. I don’t feel like I have it any more together than anyone else. I have the triggers and stuff to work on and vulnerability just like everyone. What I can say is that I’m facing those triggers head on every time I share and show up for myself and for you, my lovely audience.
The journey isn’t always comfortable but designing your own life is so worth it!
Three years down the line, here’s what’s different with Creatively Conscious now from those early days with that little lifestyle blog and instagram account;
- I’ve worked more deeply on my company values and the type of work I really want to do shifting this from one day a week to 4 days per week.
- I’ve worked with 3 mentors/ coaches on my BIG Dreams!
- The blog (now containing over 200 articles) is still there but not the biggest feature.
- I wrote and sell an ebook!
- I conceptualised and curated a podcast!
- I’m writing an e-course
- I’ve mentored 10 creatives through my Artist Boat Programme and they’ve gone on amazing journeys!
- I invested in learning lifestyle photography from a friend, client and all round lovely lass!
- I write a monthly email to people who want to hear from me – it’s called “Notes from the Sea”
- I learnt a more sophisticated form of web design and implemented it. (still learning)
- I’ve met some lovely people via groups and on my social channels
- I’ve shifted into applying for funding just for me and not connected to big organisations! This has been the biggest shift in autonomy and taking bigger “less supported” leaps.
And I fell into at least 20 comparison traps and paused from time to time. More on those pauses in next month’s newsletter if you want to sign up to read?
But much more Importantly than any of this I showed up in the world more than I ever have before.
I carved out a home I like on the Internet and decorated it with pink, gold, yellow and photos of the sea.
As an introvert and someone with problems in life just like you I’ve showed up… and consistently.
And that’s worth celebrating! Wherever you are in your creative journey celebrate yourself and journal through your triggers and self limiting beliefs – we can do anything we set out minds to.
Email me and let me know what you’re celebrating or starting. I’d love to hear from you.
Keep tagging the sparkles!!
Claire
PS – if you are in any sort of comparison trap I would really recommend Lucy Sheridan’s book The Comparison Cure and her instagram account.
PPS – My ebook ‘The Artist Boat – A 12-week journey of creative self discovery’ is out again mid October.
