We hold up shields anytime we need the approval of another thing to validate our true selves, or our artistic work.
Showing up and showing all is vulnerable. It’s much easier to sit back and let the judgement fall upon an institution, an MD, a PHD, some sort of certification.
But, when you have none of those things, and run with hands clenched anytime one gets close enough to drag you in, you’re on your own.
You can’t hide behind a shield. There’s nothing to reflect disapproval except you and your work.
It’s you alone who will bear the brunt of your work, and the praise, critique, or silence it’s going to receive.
You’re alone.
We spend too much of our lives building our collection of shields, instead of working on ourselves and our art. One more certification, one more piece of paper, and finally people will take our work seriously.
This is a misguided approach that’s built on the back of approval-seeking behavior.
Seek self-approval, self-worth, self-love first. Are you good enough? Do you like what you’ve produced? Will you stand behind it?
A single yes and it’s good enough.
Good enough for you and good enough for the world.
Put your shields down and make whatever the fuck you want to make.