Your Life is Your Art!
Are you living the life you want, or just existing? You have the power to curate your own life and create a masterpiece that supports who you want to be.Â
I am living proof of the transformative power of curating your own life. Despite not being encouraged to pursue my passion for art, I decided to take up painting in 2018 and restructured my life so that art became my center. Now, I paint every day and run a thriving art and wellness business that helps others experience the healing power of art.
If you want to curate your own life, here are the steps you need to take:
Step 1: Identity Who You Want to Be
The first step to curating your own life is identifying who you want to be. This is important because it sets the foundation for everything else. Take the time to reflect on your life and determine what is truly important to you. Think about the person you want to become and what you want to achieve.
Identifying who you want to be can be a daunting task, but it is important to take the time to reflect on your life and determine what is truly important to you. Here are some ideas that helped me:
Ask yourself meaningful questions: Start by asking yourself questions like “What brings me joy?”, “What am I passionate about?”, “What are my values?”, and “What do I want to achieve in life?”. These questions will help you uncover what truly matters to you and give you a sense of direction.
Explore your interests: Take the time to explore different hobbies and interests. You never know what you might discover about yourself. Attend workshops, classes, and events that align with your interests. This will not only help you learn more about yourself but also connect you with like-minded people.
Reflect on your past experiences: Think about the experiences that have shaped you into the person you are today. What did you enjoy about those experiences? What did you learn from them? Reflecting on your past experiences can help you understand what you value and what you want to avoid in the future.
Write it down: Write down your thoughts and reflections in a journal. This will help you organize your thoughts and gain clarity on who you want to be.
Remember, identifying who you want to be is a journey, not a destination. Changing your mind and adjusting your goals as you grow and evolve is okay. The important thing is to stay true to yourself and live a life that aligns with your values and passions.
Step 2: Create a Plan
Break down your goals: Break down your long-term goals into smaller, manageable steps. This will make them less intimidating and easier to achieve. For example, if your goal is to start a business, break it down into smaller steps like researching the industry, creating a business plan, and networking with potential clients.
Create a timeline: Set a timeline for each step and create deadlines to keep yourself accountable. Use a planner or calendar to schedule your tasks and make sure you are making progress towards your goals. Review your plan regularly and make adjustments as needed.
Focus on what you can control: This is the biggest thing I learned! Focus on the things that are within your control and avoid getting bogged down by things outside of your control. This will help you stay focused and motivated towards achieving your goals.
Stay flexible: Remember that life can be unpredictable, and things may not always go according to plan. Stay flexible and be open to adjusting your plan as needed. Be willing to pivot when necessary and don’t let setbacks discourage you.
Celebrate your progress: Celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. Celebrating your progress will help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.
Step 3: Take Action
Having a plan is a great start, but it’s not enough to make your dreams a reality. It’s important to take action and put in the necessary effort to make things happen. While taking action can be daunting and even scary, it’s essential if you want to achieve your goals. Without action, even the best-laid plans will remain just that: plans.
Taking action requires courage, determination, and persistence. It means stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks. It may mean making sacrifices and putting in extra effort, but the rewards can be incredible. When you take action towards your dreams, you create momentum and build confidence. You start to see progress, and that progress can motivate you to keep going.
Step 4: Overcome Obstacles
No journey is without obstacles. There will be roadblocks along the way, but it is important to overcome them. Do not let fear or failure stop you from achieving your goals.
When I started painting, I faced a lot of self-doubt. I was not confident in my abilities, but I pushed through and continued to paint. Over time, my skills improved, and my confidence grew.Taking action is crucial to achieving your goals and living the life you want.
Step 4: Surround Yourself with Positive Influences
Surrounding yourself with people who support your goals and dreams can have a profound impact on your journey towards success. Positive influences can keep you motivated, offer valuable insights and provide guidance when you encounter obstacles or doubts.
Being in the company of like-minded individuals who share your passion and enthusiasm can be energizing and help you stay on track. These people can provide a sense of camaraderie, accountability, and encouragement, helping you push past any roadblocks. They can also offer different perspectives and insights, challenge you to think outside the box, and help you identify new opportunities.
Step 5: Embrace Failure
It is important to remember that failure is a natural part of the process when you are curating your life. Everyone experiences setbacks and obstacles on their journey toward their goals. The key is to embrace failure and learn from it.
When I first started my business, I made many mistakes. I struggled to figure out how to charge for my artwork and services, and my approach was disorganized and scattered. However, I didn’t let those failures discourage me. Instead, I used them as opportunities to learn and grow.
By reflecting on my mistakes, I identified areas where I needed to improve. I sought advice from other artists and business owners, and I adjusted my approach accordingly. Through trial and error, I was able to develop a pricing structure that was fair and sustainable for both my clients and me.
It is important to remember that failure is not the end; it is just a stepping stone. When you encounter obstacles, take a step back and reflect on what you can learn from the experience. Use the lessons you learn to refine your approach and improve your chances of success.
Here are some tips for embracing failure:
Change your perspective: Instead of viewing failure as a negative experience, try to see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Remember that some of the most successful people in the world have experienced multiple failures before achieving success.
Take responsibility: Own your mistakes and take responsibility for your actions. This will help you learn from your failures and avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
Seek feedback: Ask for feedback from others, whether it be from friends, family, or a mentor. This can help you gain a new perspective and identify areas for improvement.
Keep moving forward: Don’t let failure hold you back. Instead, use it as a motivation to keep pushing forward towards your goals. Remember that every failure is an opportunity to learn and improve.
By embracing failure and learning from your mistakes, you can cultivate resilience and grow as a person. Remember that success is not always linear, and setbacks and failures are a natural part of the process. Keep a positive attitude, stay focused on your goals, and never stop learning and growing.
Step 6: Believe in Yourself
You have the power to achieve your goals and dreams. Do not let self-doubt hold you back!
When I first embarked on my journey as an artist, I lacked confidence in my abilities. Without formal training, I often found myself comparing my work to others and feeling inadequate. It wasn’t until two years later that I mustered the courage to claim my identity as an artist. But with that recognition came a newfound belief in myself and my skills. I realized that self-doubt was hindering my progress and that in order to achieve my aspirations, I had to overcome it. Through perseverance and determination, I silenced my inner critic and discovered the immense power of self-belief.
Believing in yourself is not always easy, but it is necessary. You have to trust that you have what it takes to achieve your dreams. Take the time to acknowledge your strengths and accomplishments. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem.
Always Remember
Your life is your canvas, waiting for you to create a masterpiece that reflects who you truly want to be. You possess the innate ability to shape your life into a work of art that inspires and fulfills you. The power to transform your life is in your hands, and it’s time to take control and start living your best life. Don’t let fear hold you back from pursuing your passions and taking risks. Remember, life is too precious to settle for mediocrity. So pick up your brush, paint your dreams into reality, and create a life that is as vibrant and beautiful as you are.
