It’s Hard Being a Creative

I am truly blessed in this life and I will never tell anyone otherwise. Ever.

I was born into family and educational privilege. And I am currently living the life of a creative, which can bring with it so many benefits. So much freedom.

People often see my social media posts and tell me, “You have an amazing life!” And I do.

That said, it isn’t easy. No, really. It isn’t.

There’s a reason why people romanticize the creative life. There’s a reason why so many people dream of being an artist, filmmaker, writer, musician, fashion designer or creator of any kind, yet so few people actually do it for a living.

My husband, Kiran, and I are constantly confronted with financial insecurity when projects don’t come through or plans don’t materialize. It is stressful. We’re nowhere near in the secure position of most of our friends, where at least one if not both partners have had corporate careers for decades.

I can’t tell you how many times over the past three decades I’ve heard the words, “Why don’t you get a real job?”

RIght. Because me pouring my heart and soul into my passion, which is writing and helping others share their stories, isn’t real? Is it a fantasy? Yeah, that one in particular always stings.

Also, we face rejection regularly. There are times when other people don’t like our ideas, criticize our writing, object to our proposals. In spite of having cultivated our belief in ourselves for the past 30 years, with the help of psychotherapists at times!, we still feel the pain of such digs. We are human, after all.

Kiran calls the creative journey “a battle of attrition.” We both feel that most humans are capable of fantastic creative achievements. Think of children and their innate passion for art and music! It’s in all of us. 

But most people drop out. The process often begins in college, when those who can – those who can imagine doing anything else! - choose practical paths in life. Then post graduation, more drop out. Then more leave the creative path by their 30s, as they “grow up” and especially as they have children. 

I am not criticizing anyone’s choice to change their direction in life. And I share all of this not to complain. Kiran and I are grateful every single day to be pursuing our passions and life purpose as professional creatives – or, as Kiran calls it, paid artists. 

What I want to do is to remind you, and myself, that life is not all Instagram photos and poetry. There’s always more to the story, lying just beneath the surface.

And if you’re going to pursue this path, if you are going to write a book and put it out into the world, you will face criticism. You will face doubters. You will face self-doubt.

But… that shouldn’t stop you!

Because you are here on this Earth to create. You have a voice, and it’s up to you to courageously share it. 

And I’m here for you as you do.

Writing Tip of the Week: Face the Critics

I recommend this exercise in my writing course for Your Bestselling Book.

Write your worst review ever.

• Sit down with a piece of paper. Yes, this exercise requires a piece of paper, no computers allowed!
• Imagine how the haters might tear you down. “Your writing is atrocious and simplistic! You’re too whiny, too arrogant, too gay” - whatever.
• Now take that piece of paper and burn it! Critics be gone!
• Finally, sit down and write some positive reviews. “This book is amazing! It changed my life.”
• Pin those to your wall, your fridge, or anyplace else where you’ll see them every day.

Believe.

Aloha,

MeiMei

Quote of the Week

You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.

~Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing