Ep. 32 Being True to Yourself

In this episode we’re talking about being true to yourself, especially when it comes to your art and creativity.

It pretty much comes down to this: whatever you do, do it your way!

We chat about how you can be true to your own sense of creativity, how to find inspiration outside your normal sources, and why it’s so important to define what it is you want to say with your creative work.

We each share how we try to create before consuming content online and what we say to those who worry about starting something when so many others are already doing it.

Listen below or wherever you listen to podcasts by searching the progress project. Listen on itunes by clicking here.

here's a recap of what we talked about:

Today we’re talking about being true to yourself, especially when it comes to your art and creativity. It pretty much comes down to this: whatever you do, do it your way!

We are all different and unique -- even if we have similarities, none of us do life quite the same.

If you are wondering how you can be true to your own sense of creativity, here are two questions to ask yourself:

1) Where am I getting my inspiration? There are so many places to find inspiration, so don’t limit yourself to just finding it in your own industry. If you’re a photographer, where can you find inspiration outside of contemporary photographers’ work?

2) Where is my motivation coming from? Am I creating this for the money? To keep up with a trend? To compare myself to another person?

It’s also helpful to know ahead of time what you want to say. What’s your message? What is your work about? Once you can define it, it’s easier to create more of it intentionally.

In the episode, we had a long conversation about creating BEFORE consuming. A few ideas from the two of us:

• Actually create before consuming during your day! For Kristin, that means writing before checking email or the news and definitely before other people’s words and ideas are in my head from social media.

• Start your day with gratitude and love -- however that looks for you. Remember there are different ways to approach the same intention. You could feel gratitude and love by reading your scriptures or by snuggling with your child in bed as they wake up.

• Have something that reminds you what your voice really is, like a Pinterest board of your best work or a file of your favorite things you’ve written. Anything that reminds you of what makes you YOU.

• Write out a few things you have already accomplished that you’re proud of.

• Remember who you are creatively.

Laura mentioned it’s so helpful to be reminded of who you are by being with the people who know you best, people who you have nothing to prove to. It allows you to be yourself and create in a genuine way.

---

What about when you feel inadequate?? We often hear (and say) questions like, “Who am I to do this work? So many others are already doing this already.”

Even when others are already doing what you want to do, be confident in knowing that no one has your same voice, perspective, and experiences. Stay connected to your true self, who you truly are, and the message you have to share. No one can do it like you!

There is a warning though: Don’t worry about being “original.” Just do it your authentic way, telling the truth with your unique voice.

C.S. Lewis said “Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.”

---

And as always, we love Elizabeth Gilbert who says in a post on her website elizabethgilbert.com

I must confess that I don't really care all that much about originality. The older I get, the less I care about it. In fact, sometimes I get annoyed by people's efforts to be original, because it can feel forced and artificial.

What I love, though, is authenticity. Because it's RARE.

So whatever it is that you dream of doing (creating, traveling, loving, inventing, transforming) just do it. Don't worry if you're the 100th person to do it. Just do it, anyhow, and be sure that you bring the highest purity of intention to your pursuit. Act from a place of your deepest authenticity, and the rest of it will take care of itself…

And trust me, if you are authentic, you WILL be original.

---

links mentioned in this episode:

Kristin’s Favorite Thing: Latest season of The Great British Baking Show

Laura’s Favorite Thing: The song- Tour Guide by singer Cheri Magill

Kristin’s Favorite book on writing: If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland

Blog post about SALT and Making Time for What You Love.

---

In case you couldn’t make it to our first speaking event at SALT, you can check out this blog post where we show behind the scene pics, grab our notes and a great handout we made!

If you have any other questions feel free to comment below or catch us on instagram @jointheprogressproject Thanks!