Are you in between? So many of us are. What, you might ask, does it mean to be ‘in between’? Well, if you are a creative who is trying to juggle a day job with your aspirations of living off your art, you are in between. If you are a blogger who hopes to someday have tons of traffic and advertisers so you can blog for life, but you still have to work that 9 to 5 job, you are in between. If you sit on this side of the canyon, holding securely to the job that ‘feeds your face’, as I like to call it, and on the other side of the ravine is your life of artistic independence, you my friend are in between.
The truth is, there is nothing wrong with staying right where you are. Perhaps your handmade projects or other creative endeavors are nothing more than glorified hobbies. You know what? There is nothing dishonorable about that. If your day job brings you joy and you crafts bring you peace, you’ve found gold. Keep it, cherish what you have and love every minute of it.
But what if you are not happy and you do indeed feel like you are in between? What if you see yourself, one day getting the momentum to make the leap across the divide, living the life of a full-time maker? Do you really know what stands in your way? Here’s some questions to ask yourself:
- Can I name what it is that stands in my way of a full-time life as a handmaker?
- What fears do I have?
- Do I have mentors that have made the leap before me, someone I can turn to for advice?
- Do I have a fear of success?
- Where do I see myself in 6 months? A year?
- Do I have a back up plan if things fall apart?
It’s good to know these things. Sometimes, we just have to start the run. For instance, I took a leap myself this past week. I decided to advertise with Oh My Handmade as Jessica and her team prepare to launch a brand new website & community. I like to fund the LAB with the LAB and this is a big commitment for me. It means that I am willing to put on my running shoes and start moving forward. I want the LAB to be my primary means of maintenance someday, so I had to do something, I had to start moving. With the wind flowing through my hair over my head, I’m off!
If we keep on moving, the momentum of positive thinking and hard work can give us the lift to take us across the great divide, right on over to the other side. Here’s you LAB Assignment for this week: Can you name at least one fear that holds you back? What would be your dream solution? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. I love positive discourse in the LAB, so if you see a comment that moves you, be sure to respond. Be kind and be brave.
