“Let Your Creativity Shine: A Guide to Embracing Your Creative Journey”

Let Your Creativity Shine: A Guide to Embracing Your Creative Journey

Creativity is like a light—it has the power to illuminate not only your path but also the lives of others. Yet, as creatives, we often dim our own light, held back by self-doubt, comparison, or fear of failure. It’s time to step out of the shadows and let your creativity shine unapologetically.

Whether you’re a graphic designer, a calligrapher, or an artist exploring your craft, embracing your journey starts with believing in your unique vision. Here’s how you can let your light shine and inspire others along the way.

1. Embrace Imperfection

Creativity thrives in imperfection. Too often, we get stuck trying to perfect every line, pixel, or stroke. But the real beauty of your work lies in its authenticity. Allow yourself to experiment, make mistakes, and evolve. Every “flaw” you see in your work is a stepping stone to growth.

2. Find Your Why

What drives you to create? Is it the joy of self-expression, the desire to inspire, or the hope of making an impact? Keep that “why” at the forefront of your creative process. When you align your work with your purpose, it becomes easier to push through moments of doubt or creative block.

3. Stop Comparing and Start Sharing

In a world of social media highlights, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap. Remember, no two creative journeys are the same. Instead of comparing your work to others, focus on sharing your unique perspective. Someone out there is waiting to connect with your style and your voice.

4. Build Daily Habits

Letting your creativity shine isn’t about a single moment of brilliance—it’s about consistency. Set aside time daily or weekly to hone your craft. Create small projects for yourself, explore new techniques, or revisit old works with fresh eyes. Over time, this discipline will amplify your creative confidence.

5. Seek and Build Community

Creativity flourishes in collaboration. Surround yourself with other creatives who uplift and challenge you. Join design groups, attend workshops, or simply share your process online. Encouragement from like-minded individuals can fuel your passion and push your boundaries.

6. Share Your Light with the World

Don’t let fear hold you back from sharing your work. Post that design, release that product, or showcase your portfolio. Each time you share your light, you give others permission to do the same. And who knows? Your work might just be the spark someone else needs to start their creative journey.

7. Celebrate Your Wins

It’s important to pause and celebrate how far you’ve come. Whether it’s completing a project, gaining a new skill, or simply feeling more confident in your abilities, these moments are worth acknowledging. They remind you that your light has value and is worth shining.

Creativity is a gift meant to be shared. When you let your light shine, you inspire others to do the same. So pick up that brush, tablet, or pencil and embrace the journey ahead. The world is brighter when you create unapologetically.

Being Grateful even after Job Rejection

Being able to stay grateful even after going through multiple job rejections to secure a position as a graphic designer. But I will have to say at times it was very hard to stay grateful for all that I have accomplished and will accomplish. Some may take this post as “Maybe you just have not tried hard enough”.

Well let me tell you first I have and will continue to be a positive well rounded motivated designer. I just know that this journey that I am on is for a reason. The dream that many designers have of working full time at an agency I have learned is now what seems like a fantasy. Simply saying that from how I have watched the industry simply reject applications over and over again. As well as have designers do useless “Tests” as part of the application.

I am saying all of this that it can definitely demotivate someone who’s eyes became wide open when they found out what graphic design is. The way that we can stay grateful is from all of the what seems like doors being shut in our face is to first learn what we stand for.

By knowing what you stand for is what will help you not feel like “Man I missed out on that Job” Or I thought I crushed that Job interview. Then thinking I don’t understand why they didn’t give me a call back. When I first went through these situations I did not know how to deal with them at first. In the moment I had to say to myself “don’t get bitter get better” and listen to yourself.

While you may be upset with rejection after what seems like rejection its a better approach to be grateful that you got your foot in the door enough to even have an interview. Because there are many people who will not and or never make it as far as you have. Remember that a lot of things are a marathon. I realized that what separates me from other designers is me and who I am as a person.

Being confident is the first step to being grateful even after rejection. Because if you are a confident person you know that its only a matter of time that you will have another opportunity and etc. So don’t dwell in the rejection keep trying and using different methods to achieve what you desire. You can do it and you can also learn to be grateful.

Zippo lighter restoration – Vietnam War repair

Recently came across this youtube channel restoring items. I will have to say it is pretty incredible the amount of skill this takes to do. Also to see how the products looked back then when they were first released.

The Magic is In You

How to be confident as a new designer

Being a new designer in the industry our work does not match our confidence. I say that because we know that we have what it takes. But it can be disheartening feeling as if we are not getting any chances. Which then will have an effect on our confidence.
The way we are able to get past that is to decide that you are going to focus on getting better. Better in every way possible and study as well to perfect your craft. The process will be enjoyed as well with the studying.
The point where we learn to enjoy the process will have one thinking about the design industry differently. Therefore at the same time it will help you find your why. The why is what will drive you to continue.
One major thing is to diminish the feel of feeling like an imposter. This is so bothersome in a sense of you know what you are doing and that you have skills in it, but you feel like you don’t.The way to get over this is to push through that feeling. Because there are people who are just as talented and or less talented than you who are confident.

You’ll see people creating classes and etc then think to yourself what makes the so confident that they are good enough for that. We’ll its because they know they are capable of doing it and not afraid to take the risk. The self doubt is just apart of the process to getting your confidence up. Once you learn how to deal with it the rest will come to you.

Confidence is not just something that comes naturally to people. Being a person who has a character that will be able to deal with the things that try and break us down. Remember you have to believe and listen to yourself. Your gut will lead you in the right direction.

Skillset is more important than popularity

Early on I learned that skillset is more important than popularity. In this life of social media and being influenced by the internet on a mass scale we can forget the importance of being skilled. Money will come and the job you want will come. But if you are not prepared for when those moments do come you will not be able to match the level required.

Money is good but eventually it will run out. The day to day grind of being in tune with your craft and getting better than someone who is just focused on the quick money. Focusing on the quick money will hinder you from being truly successful. But I know each of us has a different view of success.

Dealing with Rejection

Dealing with Rejection is something that I am thankful I learned how to deal with professionally. When it comes to feeling rejected it can be one thing that upsets you and or motivates you. When applying for a Job and you get the automated response that they have chosen another candidate its best to take it in stride and move on. Because I know we have the skills required to do the job and more.

There are many people out there that are willing to give us the opportunity. Better than wait for that opportunity make your own. Take the time to learn business, marketing and how to network and also selling products. There are many ways for a person to achieve their desired goals. Instead of waiting and hoping learn how to develop your skills to become more desirable.

Once you become more desirable know your worth and do not sell yourself short. By agreeing to take less than you know you should be earning. For example if you have the documented proof showing that you know what you are talking about there’s no wiggle room for them to short change you. Because there’s documented proof of hours upon hours of you perfecting your craft.

Personal rejection is I feel a thing that is dependent upon the overall person. A great example is how someone talks with someone they are interested in. If they get rejected sometimes they get upset and say rude things to and or about the person. The same thing can go for when you are working professionally with a harsh client. If you get your work rejected do not get upset and curse out the person.

Look inside first at yourself and think about how to handle it without getting upset. I talk about this because I have experienced rejection in many forms. At first I used to let my emotions control my response. Then I learned to stop and use my head to make smarter decisions. Nothing gets accomplished when you get angry and forceful.

Embrace rejection to motivate you and inspire you to pursue more. If someone rejects you for a job apply for another and if that client rejects your work talk with them on how to accomplish their desired goal.

Don’t Stop Working when the Work Stops

As a creative who freelances outside of a day job, it can be difficult at times to keep working when our work stops coming. This quote is one that I heard while listening to the perspective podcast. I’ve always been the type to continue working and creating. Because having the right mentality about improving and creating is whats most important.

Whenever we have clients and are creating work it gives us a sense of purpose and a good feeling. The feeling of knowing we will be paid for what we are creating. Not knowing whether the products we create will actually be purchased scares many. Also being open to learning how to sell products efficiently.

Because whenever the work stops coming you can learn what you have always wanted to. Such as if you are currently a video editor and you want to learn how to design logos, You can do just that. Another thing is that you can also create self projects. The project that you have actually wanted to do but you put it off to pay the bills.

While I mention paying bills there is nothing wrong with paying your bills. But you should not get comfortable with not having any work coming in. There is something you are not doing which is the reason why you have the work not coming in. Maybe its a new connection you have to make and or go to an event. Possibly even make the phone call you have been thinking about.

Making sure you have the right mental state is one thing to not forget. This whole Marathon that we all are on in our lives and careers is to not forget to take care of ourselves. Taking care of yourself inside and outside makes working when the work stops easier to continue.

Don’t Destroy your Own Creativity

The amount of Creativity we have in us can get destroyed by us. The reason I say that is because there are many times when we do not listen to our gut. Instead of listening to our gut we do what is safe. Then we fail later on to believe in what we know that we are capable of doing. Our creativity has to be nourished and cared for.

When we are working diligently towards a goal that uses our creativity we can think that it is going to not lead to anything. I learned that your wave is coming just give it time. Give your wave time to form. Because the process and journey is what will make the difference. We have to realize that this is a marathon.

There is no shortcut to achieving a goal. You can try to cheat and take shortcuts but there is no strength or validity to keep you where you have arrived. The days of working on that project you have took on to do for your portfolio to try and get that job and or product you’ve created to sale will be worth it. There is someone out there and an agency that will employ you.

I’ve learned that to be the truth from many experiences. Being difficult to not destroy my own creativity and what I am capable of. The saying that we our own worst enemy is the truth. The way that we think as a person determines a lot. Getting inside of your own head and not believing it will ever work out for you is what will happen.

When you stay determined as a creative and believe in yourself you’ll start to see things working in your favor. By that I mean the nights and days you work towards a goal you will be able to get closer to it and then eventually it will be achieved..

The Reason I love Calligraphy

First off I’d like to say I started learning calligraphy seriously about 4 years. I will never forget one of my professors in college telling me I have terrible hand skills. Because if she did not tell me that I’d probably would not have improved to the level I am at now.The documenting of my calligraphy work has been fun.

The way we see our work improving in all aspects is invigorating. Also learning to stop being so hard on our self is not an easy thing to do. I learned that I am hard on myself because I expect more from myself.

Calligraphy has taught me how to layout my typography work a lot better than before. Also learning stronger how to apply the principles of hierarchy as well. I did learn these skills in design school, but there is a difference between a classroom and then applying it to the real world applications.

Calligraphy taught me to not settle for the first attempt and if its good do one more. As well as to slow down and focus on the task at hand. There’s many times we have so many ideas. The flooding of ideas can be overwhelming and cause someone to get lost and not finish much.But the main thing is to not get lost with creating and not finishing what you start.