THIS IS NOT FOR YOU
I've been addressing concerns lately with some of my Mentorship clients regarding what can be termed as "the great fallout." Recently, numerous well-established creative businesses have shut down, many of which were known for their incredibly beautiful products and high ethical standards. Notable names include Mara Hoffman, Arq, and Rachel Pally, among many others.
The reasons for these closures are varied: personal family circumstances, a desire to pivot to new interests, or simply the exhaustion from keeping up the good fight. However, the underlying issue remains: if greater support had been available during and after the pandemic, the cataclysmic shift wouldn't have left so many creatives feeling that their efforts were unsustainable. With adequate support, challenges such as personal tragedies, shifts in interests, or the stress of maintaining a small business would have been more manageable. Support allows us to weather bigger storms.
The impact of these closures has been profound and unsettling for some, who see admired and esteemed talents shutting down. Holding space for these conversations with clients over the past few months has been necessary. There is gratitude for the transparency from owners around closure, but also heartbreak in understanding that even at its highest level a business may not be sustainable for the bottom line or the owner. Watching talents candidly share their struggles and ultimately decide to shut down is difficult for everyone.
I've been contemplating these closures as a form of loss, considering how various elements come into play when we experience this specific kind of loss on such a large scale. I have been asking myself, why are we seeing so much of this right now?
Here’s what I know:
Trauma exhausts us: Trauma disrupts our organized thinking, leading to confusion and fatigue. It’s inescapable and eventually catches up with us. You can run but you cannot hide. The pandemic affected everyone globally. Some felt the traumatic impact immediately, while others kept going, juggling numerous responsibilities and are just now able to stop for air. Eventually, all that stress shrinks our capacity, blurs clarity, and makes previously manageable tasks seem impossible. The pandemic was and is traumatic. Many of us are now exhausted from prolonged effort.
Working for Free: Creativity used to center on the artist, but social media has shifted the focus to the audience. Artists are now pressured to cater to what the audience wants, and beyond that what gets views, and what visuals retain attention. This shift benefits the platforms more than the artists or the audience. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Substack win every time, leaving actual content creators, who may or may not be creatives, to drive engagement through algorithms. We have been working for these platforms for free. Shifting our focus for them for free. Changing our art for them for free. Many of us are now exhausted from prolonged effort.
Here's What I think:
Creativity should not be about the audience. So let’s stop making it about the audience.
A conversation with a client a few weeks ago revealed surprise at learning that my newsletter and weekly writing are primarily for me, not for my readers. If you're reading this right now, you've been invited to the party, but my writing serves my creative process. It's how I integrate what I learn from clients and my studies to refine my services to my paying clients. Your presence and feedback are valuable and I am very happy to have you here, but this newsletter is not in service to you. The party is for me.
If you gain insights, inspiration, or ideas from this newsletter, that's wonderful. However, collecting insights alone doesn't equate to change. Action on those insights leads to change. My Mentorship clients are evolving and expanding because they are doing the work, not just reading about it. I don’t want to mislead you into thinking that being part of this community and reading this newsletter equates to doing the work. It does not. This is why this newsletter is free. I am not a content creator. Nor do I want to be. My weekly musings are not created with you in mind. I don't cater to the algorithm. Even the beautiful images that accompany my writing on social media are for me. I like pretty things.
I am not a newsletter writer. I am not a content creator. I do not want to be.
I’m a creative. Not a creator.
I am paid well for what I actually do. For Mentorship, as a Human Design guide, and the ways that I am in service. For my creativity. If those align with you and interest you, then yes, my creativity is here for you. I will work with you. I am for you, but only because I am for me first.
Audiences have gotten so used to being catered to. For the vision of the creative to fit where the audience is at. Creatives have been encouraged to run around trying to figure out their audience. Speak to their audience. Solve their problems. Get their attention. Since when did creating something from nothing not be deserving of attention all on its own?
And yes, with any creativity that exists in the marketplace whether it be graphic design, product creation, or fine art there comes a point in the creation where capitalism and creativity collide. And that’s okay. Decisions will be made on what category a book might be placed in due to sale projections. But these decisions should not lead the way. And yet for the livelihood of many creatives they now are. And I call bullshit.
*Side note, stop and have a conversation with any graphic designer and they have stories - so many stories about having to cater to an uninformed idea of what a logo should be, to make changes requested by a team of people with zero graphic design experience when these changes actually hurt the design and the impact of the brand. When did the client stop trusting the creative expert they hired? Perhaps this is another essay entirely.
So what do we do?
I propose a wild solution.
What if creatives stopped taking responsibility for an audience?
What if we became grounded once again in what we do instead of watering it down to appeal to more people?
What if we stopped working for free for an algorithm to sell data to the highest bidder?
What if we went back to being artists, creatives and threw back some if not all of the responsibility to the audience?
What if we asked them to stop collecting our ideas, insights and inspiration and asked them to question whether they are here to participate in what we actually do (not create content) and be changed by it, or just to collect it?
What if we asked more from them instead of allowing them to ask more from us?
What if we required them to trust our vision?
That would be a brave thing to do. And isn’t that weird?
It shouldn't be brave or risky. It should be easy and not a huge ask to expect an audience to align with what artists create instead of demanding something entirely different.
xxx
LAS
SOLAR TRANSIT
7-19-24
Gate 56
Gate of Stimulation
On July 19, the sun gracefully transits Gate 56, the Gate of Stimulation. During this celestial transit, you are invited to embark on a journey of curiosity and storytelling. Gate 56 encourages a deep exploration of your ability to seek out new experiences and share them with others, allowing you to channel your energies into creating a rich tapestry of knowledge and excitement.
The energy of Gate 56 advocates for embracing the power of stimulation through exploration and expression. It is a time to indulge your curiosity, to venture into new realms of thought and experience. This gate emphasizes the importance of gathering diverse experiences and communicating them in a way that inspires and engages others. By seeking out and sharing stimulating experiences, you enrich both your own life and the lives of those around you.
However, this energy comes with its own challenges. Those experiencing the transit of Gate 56 may struggle with feelings of restlessness or superficial engagement. The urge to constantly seek new stimuli without fully processing or integrating them can be strong. It is crucial to recognize that the power of Gate 56 lies in its ability to balance the excitement of new experiences with the depth of meaningful storytelling. By resisting the urge to flit from one thing to the next, you can harness the full potential of this gate’s energy.
To enhance the frequency of Gate 56, cultivate practices that support exploration and communication. Engage in activities such as travel, reading, or storytelling, or any method that helps you gather and share stimulating experiences. This period is ideal for reflecting on how your experiences shape your worldview and how you can communicate them effectively. By embracing stimulation, you create a space for vibrant learning and inspiring exchanges.
Gate 56 tasks you with the opportunity to develop curiosity and expressive clarity. It is a reminder that true stimulation often requires an open mind and the willingness to share your insights with others. This gate also provides a chance to reflect on how you can use your experiences to support and inspire those around you. Consider how your ability to seek out and share stimulating experiences can positively influence others.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:
1. Reflect on your ability to embrace stimulation: How comfortable are you with seeking out new experiences and sharing them? Consider how these experiences can enhance your knowledge and engagement with life.
2. Explore your depth of engagement: Are there areas in your life where you tend to seek superficial stimulation? Reflect on how you can cultivate deeper and more meaningful experiences.
3. Contemplate your storytelling skills: How can you use this period to refine your ability to communicate your experiences effectively? Consider the steps you need to take to become a more engaging and inspiring storyteller.
4. Consider your impact on others: How does your ability to seek out and share stimulating experiences influence those around you? Reflect on how you can support and inspire others with your curiosity and storytelling.
By aligning with the energy of Gate 56, you can enhance your capacity for curiosity, expressive clarity, and meaningful engagement. This transit offers a valuable opportunity to embrace the power of stimulation and use it as a foundation for vibrant and inspiring exchanges.
Gate 56 tasks you with the opportunity to contemplate the bigger picture through the lens of stimulation and storytelling. Consider how you can take in the richness of diverse experiences yet stay grounded in the depth of their meaning. Gate 56 is all about honoring the value of your curiosity and expression. To understand the bigger picture, envision the larger narrative without overwhelm, trusting that moment by moment, story by story, and through the joy of exploration, vibrant learning and connection are possible.
By embracing the energy of Gate 56, you can unlock your potential for vibrant exploration and inspiring storytelling. This transit encourages you to trust in the power of curiosity and to approach each new experience with openness and enthusiasm.
NEW PROMPT!!
Do you know about Tapping? It can be an effective addition to energy work and nervous system regulation. Many of my Mentorship clients include Tapping as part of their daily ritual. You can learn more about Tapping and how to do it by hitting the button below.
EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping Prompt for this transit.
“Even though it makes me anxious to seek out new experiences and share them, I now trust that curiosity and storytelling bring great moments of learning and alignment, and I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
Have a great week exploring this transit! Ready to learn more about your Human Design? Hit the buttons below to schedule a reading with me and download the free Human Design information sheets to learn more!
Q + A
Welcome to my exciting monthly feature: Q + A! I'm absolutely thrilled to be diving into your thought-provoking inquiries about Human Design, Astrology, creativity, and Energy Work. Your curiosity fuels my passion for sharing knowledge, and the process of answering your questions continually enriches my own understanding.
Consider this space a welcoming sanctuary for curiosity, self-discovery, and expanding your horizons. Here, you can explore the intricate world of Human Design, Astrology, and Energy Work, and discover how they can profoundly influence your creativity and success as a creative professional. It's a journey of enlightenment and empowerment, and I can't wait to embark on it with you.
Don't hesitate to send your questions my way by simply clicking the button below. I'll be selecting one or two to address in the upcoming first newsletter of each month. Your inquiries drive the conversation, and I'm eager to provide you with insightful answers.
Q: What is Profile in Human Design?
Great question! Your Profile reveals how to best align with your unique purpose. It appears like a numeric fraction and is taken from the number after the decimal point in the top column of your chart marked Personality and Design. It is the line of your Personality Sun, followed by the line of your Design Sun. The Sun in Human Design illuminates how to best express your purpose and role in the greater collective.
There are many words for purpose, and understanding what your Profile reveals is about how the idea of purpose resonates with you. Some gravitate toward the idea of soul purpose, life meaning, and reason for being. Profiles can also be more pragmatic and understood as a place to discover very direct information on how you can best learn and share your work with the world. Both perspectives are the right answer. Think of your Profile like a treasure map, helping guide you toward unlocking a sweet little treasure and how to share that treasure with others.
The number that comes first in your profile is the aspect that might resonate more deeply. Coming from the Personality side of your chart, this is often how you see yourself and is a trait or idea that is more consistently available to you to call upon. The second number coming from the Design or Unconscious part of your chart is more unconscious and is how others see you and what you have to offer. This trait or idea might not feel as familiar to you, but trust that both are beautiful and important parts of you!
