I became an artist when I took my daily practice seriously
This year I am celebrating 10 years since I have decided to take my health in my heads and pursue my dream of becoming an artist. What a journey it has been ! I would not change a thing…..well, maybe one or two.
In 2012 after accepting to manage a yoga studio here in Bali, I have realized that I was back in my old lifestyle, working for 10 hours a day. The only additions to my lifestyle were healthier food and lots of yoga, including my daily yoga practice which has started to grow on me quite a bit. And of course….living in paradise, but not really having time to enjoy it.
After less than a year, I quit my job and decided to live from my savings. It was a pretty radical decision, but coming from a very clear intention. I have realized that my priorities have changed and that other things were important for me. More freedom and time to create and explore the artist within was why I left my job back in Amsterdam in the first place. So I decided to stick with that intention because it was important for me.
I’ve learned that we make things happen when we give them enough value, only when they are important enough for us, when they satisfy a burning need. I didn’t want to give up on myself once again and my need to create.
What followed was one beautiful year of exploration…. painting, trying new things, working with local artists, dancing, meeting new people and doing lots of yoga…and not doing any yoga, creating and not creating…..freaking out seeing my savings going down by month and feeling excited when someone would offer me a little gig and some money would coming in…..literally going with the flow.
While all that was wonderful and made me feel very free, I have realized it was also spreading my energy and my attention in way too many places. I started to question myself again. What was I doing? What was important for me at the moment?
I realized then that while I was painting a lot, I was not confident enough with calling myself an artist, not for the others, but for myself. And so I decided that having an exhibition would be a pretty good way to show commitment to myself, really show up and become a real artist:O). And so I did. I have announced the world that there will be an exhibition without even knowing what I will be showing. Scary and silly, I know! Yet, motivating!
I asked myself what do I need in my life to make that happen. What came to me was structure and discipline. And so I did go back to my daily yoga practice, but this time I have added more elements to it. I have added mindfulness, breathing exercises and a simple drawing practice. I started with lines literally which became shapes in time, which became paintings later on and the source of my exhibition in the end.
This process happened over the period of 10 months, with salsa dancing breaks in between, but with a lot of drive and commitment. Thinking of it now, dancing was actually part of my daily practice. I finally have found a way to be focussed on one thing but also enjoy life. It was true, where intention goes, energy flows. That was probably one of the best years of my life... so far:O)
As announced to the world, same year my exhibition happened. I was trilled, overwhelmed and proud when my little red&white business cards came out, having written on one side “Artist”.
This story is not about me becoming an artist, but about the power of having a daily practice and how that can support our dreams in life. The manifesting thing might work for some, but for me personally a daily practice is what has always given results. The commitment to show up and get work done. The commitment to matter and make things happen. The Universe might give a hand from time to time, but really, it is mainly up to us.
I have decided this is what I want to help people with, to empower them to sustain a daily practice which includes the things that matter to them. An integral practice which is addressing the body, the mind and the spirit through Yoga and Creativity tools.
If you want to explore what having a daily personal practice feels like, please check out my offering here.