Have you ever felt completely depleted?
You feel low energy, and as you stare at your Art projects, there is an emptiness…a lack of inspiration.
And this feels so icky! Your Art is your heartbeat and passion.
What is going on?
The muse has left the building, and it can feel very lonely.
So what do we do in that moment?
How do we turn it around to return to that place of energy, joy, and creative flow?
How do we go from feeling stuck to inspired action?
A few weeks ago, I went to see a close friend present her choreography at Martha Graham. It was a very special night, as she was showcasing work that had taken two years to compile.
At the end of the show, the audience leapt to the their feet, and as I stood cheering, I became aware of one woman in the back, shouting very loudly. Turning to see who it was, my whole stomach dropped.
Standing clear as day was a woman who used to be my friend, who used to be one of my closest confidants, and even a fellow performer.
We shared years of secrets, tears, triumphs and tribulations….until it all ended, right in the wake of my devastating divorce.
A friend no more, I hadn’t seen her in years, and instantly I could feel my body tighten.
Would she say anything to me?
Would I say anything to her?
I hadn’t seen her when I came in, and now with hindsight it made perfect sense she was here. Of course, she is also close friends with the choreographer.
Friends with her….not with me…anymore.
And for very good reason.
She stopped being a healthy support for me.
She was the only friend who thought I should do a trial 6 month separation in the face of infidelity and a man telling me to my face he didn’t love me anymore.
She defended my ex when I laid myself at her feet, sharing how devastated and broken I felt.
I felt invisible in her presence.
I felt like my words didn’t matter….
And most of all, as I started to truly open up about my shame and vulnerability, she wasn’t interested. She wasn’t a safe harbor anymore.
In simplest terms, we were no longer on the same page.
I wanted to grow, she didn’t.
So, we ended the friendship…mutually, and never spoke again.
And I went on to create many new friendships, deepen the most loving ones, and build a whole new life where my Art actually nourished me, instead of drained me.
My new friendships reflected where I was NOW, not where I was before.
And that evening, among the throngs of people at the Martha Graham studio , no words were exchanged. Our eyes never met….we both knew. We had both moved on.
Who supports you?
Do they understand your passion and Art?
Do you feel like you are spending all your time convincing them?
That can be really draining.
That can be exhausting.
And if they are close to you, it can really affect not only the quality of your Art, but your ability to actually get out there and promote yourself, connecting with your audience.
One of the most famous quotes rings very true here,
You are the sum total of the five people you spend the most time with.
So, take a moment and take stock.
Who are you surrounding yourself with?
What are they saying?
Are they criticizing you and bringing you down?
How do you feel in their presence?
Energized and inspired, or exhausted and depleted?
As Artists, our power is in community. YOUR power lies in support and fellow Artists who not only GET you, but lift you to do your best, to express your heart, and to step forward fearlessly with your unique voice.
And here’s the part that I missed for SO long….we do this TOGETHER.
Specifically, we do this with Artists who are on the same page.
They want to be Untoppable
They want to create their best work
They want to move the audience
Like you.
Negative, blaming, and critical energy can be so draining.
Find your people who inspire you, who energize your muse, and who hold your path of GROWTH as absolutely vital.
We are constantly changing and becoming with every day! This is the joy of being an Artist, because we have the ability to express this.
So, take stock. Release those who are more interested in blaming and staying stuck. Release them with grace and know,
you are not alone.
Let’s rise together.
Choose those closest to you with care.
This is your precious life.
Who do you want to share it with?