Your art practice matters

Does it feel like it is all too much?

You can’t help other people if you don’t give yourself some help too. This isn’t about selfishly holding back, it’s about restoring yourself so that you can be more of service.

A comment that I keep seeing and hearing from, well, everyone, is “how are we supposed to go about our lives, and by extension, our businesses, when the world feels this heavy?”

I feel it too. When the world is like this, it would be amazing to just tune it out. But I’ve always been more of a “be part of the solutions” kind of person, so tuning it all out isn’t an option. What I have had to do is develop ways of coping, of filtering, and of filling up my own cup so that I can still be of service to others.

This is all a very long preamble to say that art matters.

Your art matters.

Art is inescapably human. We make, we think, we feel, we get curious, and we put it out there for others or even for ourselves to enjoy. We make because this is what we feel. It helps us process, it helps others process. It connects us to something outside of ourselves. Art matters.

Are there people who see it as frivolous? Sure! And you should know that I don’t like them and don’t take them seriously. 

Fuck ‘em. Art matters.

I am not making the argument that we all tune out. I would never. But I am gently reminding you that you won’t be of use to others if you don’t do something or THINGS to replenish yourself. And art matters now. Art matters always.

Using this time to explore your craft, to remember why you wanted this life in the first place, to use your art to put goodness and beauty into the world, will energize you and we all need each others energy now and into the future.

If you’ve been feeling like you and your work don’t matter right now, you are not alone, but you are wrong. Trust me this will be the only time that I tell you that you are wrong. 

Art matters. Make more art.

If you have studied any amount of social or cultural history, then you probably already know this, but we have always created. Even through the most difficult times. Painting, writing, carving, creating – these are all extraordinarily human practices, and we need our humanity now more than ever.

It’s OK to honor the heaviness that you might be feeling – it’s not in your head! This is all very real and very happening! It kinda sucks balls, right? Right!

We need these practices that keep us going, that keep filling up our cups and sustain us. 

Art harder. 

Art more. 

It matters.