Let's talk
about rejection
A fun topic I know.
But it’s something as an artist I face most days.
Sometimes it hurts more than others.
All I know if accepting the rejection and moving on is the key.
Allowing a little time to feel sad but I don’t choose to let those rejections define me.
I know there will be more opportunities coming my way.
It’s part of the job of any creative to put themselves or their work out into the world, no knowing how it will be received.
But doing it anyway.
I (try to) hold lightly my desires for my work to included in a particular exhibition or be commissioned.
That is not always easy as we always want to be picked first don’t we.
I’ve learnt rejection is bad and should be avoided.
But what if it teaches me something?
What if something even better is coming along?
What if instead of obsessing over a particular exhibition or commission I let it go and don’t take it all so personally.
Easier said than done, but is it?
Isn’t that just a learned response?
I’m working on letting go of my limited vision of how I think things should be and let them be what they are.
I’m cultivating my belief in myself so that the knocks I receive don’t hurt so much.
I was going to try to make an analogy to boxing here but I’m not sure that’s quite the thing (I watched a recent boxing match with equal amounts of horror and fascination at the ability of those boxers to take punch after punch and keep going)
Perhaps an analogy to tennis is a better one.
Tennis players have such mental strength to keep going in the face of adversity.
Yes some of that is their skill but much of it their mental toughness and self belief.
You don’t get to the top in any sport without some serious self belief and resolution.
That’s why they all use sports psychologists these days, half the game is won in the mind.
I think this is something we can all use, we don’t have to be top flight athletes to cultivate inner strength.
So today I wish to the mental toughness of a tennis player in whatever you do.
Dig deep and keeping going.
That’s my motto for today!
If you’d like to purchase any work check out my website here or reply to this email and I will send you a list of available works.
To buy the painting you see in this email click here.
I’m also open for commissions, let’s talk!
I’d love to discuss any ideas you have with you.
Have a great day!
cx