Happy New Year
Every year I choose a word that will help me make important decision, a word that sets my purpose for the year. In 2021 my word was ‘CREATE’.
Any time I had a difficult situation to make regarding personal or professional decisions I would ask myself “Does this help me create or stop me from creating?”
A lot of what I accomplished this year is due to this process creating an environment where I was able to create more.
I learned that it is difficult to see true progress if all I do is create.
I eventually burnt out and started second guessing my creative process. I decided to archive all my posts on Instagram because I felt my creativity was scrambled. While I kept up with my goal of creating, it was all without any true purpose.
I became discouraged but found my confidence in creating again by registering for 2D Animation classes at Austin Community College. I completed Drawing for Animation and Storyboard classes in December.
There were times in the semester that I struggled to manage my time between my full time job as a full time lab tech and completing my classwork by their deadline.Despite all those struggles I ended the semester with more confidence in my drawing and storytelling abilities.
Before 2021 ends I am once again asking myself “Does this help me create or does it stop me?” in regards to my full time job as a Phlebotomist.
I’ve decided it is no longer possible to keep a full time job and pursue my creative journey. Yesterday I was officially approved to work part time hours, effective January 31st I will be a part time employee at the clinic.
Now looking forward to 2022.
My word that will guide any difficult decision I need to make in 2022 will be
GROWTH
This year I hope to grow as a member of the creative community. I hope to grow in my knowledge of owning a creative business. I hope to be able to grow in my ability to help others that may be struggling in their creative journey.
To guide my growth in 2022 I have written four pillars that will help guide my creative journey.
Create. I’ll share my progress as I grow as an artist. Currently my focus are in portrait photography, illustrations and storytelling.
Collaborate. I am interested in creating a platform that is inclusive of my local creative community.
Resource. I will do my best to share resources about topics that bring awareness to different organizations that are doing good things in Austin community.
Transparency. I will do my best to share behind the scenes to research I do for different organizations and my process to create new art.
These four pillars will hopefully make it easier for me to make difficult decisions in 2022.
The four pillars supporting my growth are create, collaboration, resource and transparency.
I will be updating my blog around mid year to see if the strategy of using GROWTH as my guide for 2022 has given me good results. Good luck y’all and hopefully 2022 brings you fortune and happiness.
Peace out,
Reibert-Anthony
