Quaranteened…

In case you haven’t heard, there is a major virus called COVID19 plaguing the world and most people are locked in their homes unable to work, socialize, or even exercise, scared out of their minds about catching or spreading this virus.

Yep. This is really happening.

Everyone has been affected by this differently.

Like most things thrown at me from left field, I too, am handling this differently.

Differently than most…

When in dark times, make art. 
These times take me back to my teen years when I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere or do anything unless it was school related.  So, I’d often be laying my room, avoiding my family, because that’s what all teenagers do, and I’d make art, write, read, go in chat rooms, and even exercise. I would get weird and create things I saw or heard in my mind.

This has truly livened up a part of myself I frequently neglect when I’m working the typical 9-5 job.

This is a reminder to me that I need to stop neglecting other primary sides of my persona and get back into my self-expression as an artist.  It’s a reminder to be consistent and not let the hardship of life get in the way of my heart.
I am an artist to the core; in my words, in my colors, and in my soul.  I love every aspect of the arts you can possibly imagine.  From music, to theater, to film, to painting, sculpture, dance, and design.   I breathe it when I close my eyes every night.  It’s all I think about.

I’m sure many of you other artists can relate.
If this is a deep part of your soul, why is it so easy to neglect when we are trying to make the money to live our dream?

We get so focused on chasing the money, that we tend to forget about the passion and execution of the plan,  that drove us to get these jobs to begin with.  So we go to work, we eat, we exercise, we go home, sleep, shower, repeat.  We “don’t have the time” …[I suppose it also depends on whether or not your job is in a related field to the said passion.]

STOP! These are all just bullshit excuses we make to cover up our fear of losing.

Which brings me to my next thought….

WHY AM I NOT WORKING IN THIS INDUSTRY…. ?

I think we all have to go through our own paths to figure out different parts of ourselves, and learn how to develop our skills in alternate fields before we can become our truest and best forms.

Taking a sales position was never in my plan or what I thought I needed, but when you can learn how to sell, you can make it in any hustle.

And, art… is DEFINITELY a hustle.

I don’t need to explain myself or justify my choices to anyone but myself, but I will say, that every job I’ve ever had has taught me a lot about people, myself, money, society, family, friends, and ESPECIALLY business and how to separate all of it.

But there is definitely a bottom line.   You need to continue to keep your eye on the prize and make it happen.  Don’t lose sight of your dream!

I was laid off during this quarantine…. I live in CA…kinda wish I was in Georgia or Wyoming right now so I could work. [jk]

But instead of freaking out and getting scared and worrying, I just kept the important relationships up to date with clear communications, stayed on top of my hustle, and got super inspired.

A certain part of my soul opened up and I was able to get level headed again.  Almost like I’m feeding off the chaos in the most positive way!

You have to look at the glass half full, and even though I have a long way to go, I’m not going to live in despair no matter how hard it gets during these times. 

I have to make the most out of every situation. Sacrifice and Discipline are key! And as an artist you have to be okay with losing everything if you truly love what you do!
I’ve already created a few pieces during this quarantine and have talked to a couple people about some potential future business in the art world.  I hope the universe shows me the best path towards my destiny, cuz I know this is it!

I don’t know where I will end up in the future, but I know I’ve only touched the beginning of something great and I can’t wait to see where I go from here.

-Lund3on