Each one I make has me looking forward to the next. It’s fun to have one thing that you can do over and over again, see where it leads, what you can make of it. I enjoy seeing my work progress, so I suppose creating the same thing again and again is a good way to measure that, like making a self portrait each year. There’s lots of timeless good to just living, yet it’s the feeling of progress along with steady improvement at life that excites me most. Whether it’s the evolution of my studio, myself or my creative career, it feels important to consider how my actions today may shape my tomorrow. It can be as simple improving the organization in my apartment (like installing a new shelf), starting a new artwork, or doing something I haven’t done before.

This type of thinking was in no way instilled in me from childhood, which is probably why it came on so strong late into my 20’s. Even though I got by, i essentially realized many aspects of my character were lacking. While I was able to excel in some regards, shards of an unguided childhood seeped to the surface. These are the things that define us, that we have to live with, yet we’re often too caught up in it all to do anything about, or even notice. I realized I would need to create new, healthy and exciting experiences to move forward into another paradigm of myself (I didn’t know it so concretely at the time, but am putting it into words now). It’s why I went to Japan to experience their culture and view life from a different lens. It’s why I went on a three month road trip; to get out of my clouded bubble, experience the natural world and meet others with uplifting/unique outlooks. I think when we’re starting out on a journey of self discovery, we will try anything and everything. The most tried and true method is to move far away from home and rediscover yourself one day at a time.

Essentially, it’s interesting to think of the different paths life will take, depending on what we decide/decide not to do. Who our least and most ideal selves can be. Suppose, with each minute (my-noot) action, we may lean toward one or the other. If it excites you and will improve your character, why hold back? Money shouldn’t be an object; it’s one thing you can always get back.