Today, the world is experiencing a rare astronomical event: a full moon solar eclipse. In cultures throughout history, an eclipse is a symbol of destruction and rebirth, endings and new beginnings. The ancient Greek word for “eclipse” literally meant “to leave behind.” This is a great time to cut old ties and embrace a new direction.
Following is an excerpt from The Art of You about reinventing yourself, both as a human and an artist.
Give yourself permission to change
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.” – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Style is not a static thing. It can change and develop over time. Finding your style is like teenagers finding their fashion sense: it’s awkward in the beginning. You might go through several phases before finding an aesthetic that works for you. The key is experimentation. You have to take risks and try new things in order to expand your comfort zone.
It’s a good idea to master the fundamentals before getting too fancy. A child must walk before they can ride a bike. Before Pablo Picasso went on to revolutionize the art world with his warped abstraction, he was a classically trained realist painter. As a precocious teenager, he mastered the traditional style of landscapes and religious scenes before experimenting with form and perspective. Picasso continued to evolve his style over time, going through several distinct phases — the Blue Period, the Rose Period, primitivism, cubism, abstraction, and surrealism. He was in a perpetual state of self-invention, a state of becoming.
Your own voice is forever a work in progress. It will change as you change. We are all shaped and changed by our life experiences, and these experiences inform our art. Give yourself permission to change, both as a human and a creator. Reinvent yourself whenever you feel stuck or stale. It doesn’t matter how old you are. Creativity has no age limit. It’s never too late to evolve or try something new.
Some artists, like Mozart, are fully formed by age eighteen. Others find their stride later in life. The country singer Johnny Cash had a long and legendary career as a young man before falling out of the spotlight, but with the help of producer Rick Rubin, Cash pulled off an exceptional comeback at age seventy. This music introduced an entirely new style to Cash’s catalog, a style that was wise and weathered like a fine wine. It was among the most popular music of his career.
To be human—and especially to be an artist—is not a fixed experience. It is fluid and always changing. Every single cell in your body is in a constant state of death and regeneration. The seasons change. The moon moves in cycles. So do we. Don’t limit yourself to being the person you have always been.
As a person, you are always changing and growing. Let your art adapt to where you are today. Sometimes it takes a long time to develop a style and voice that are uniquely your own. Stay open. Stay curious. Give yourself permission to become somebody new.
Are you ready to take the next step on your creative journey?
My new book, The Art of You: The Essential Guidebook for Reclaiming Your Creativity, is available now. Whatever form your creativity takes – writing, painting, music, business, performance, marketing, technology, or social media content – this book will help you actualize your unique higher purpose, turn your imagination into reality, and transform both yourself and the world around you.
New Podcast: James McCrae and Amie McNee
I recently interviewed Amie McNee for my podcast Sunflower Club. Amie McNee (@inspiredtowrite) is an author, viral content creator, and creativity coach. In this episode we talk about writing, the myth of perfection, trusting the inner artist over the inner critic, and how to stand out in the crowded social media landscape.
Listen and subscribe!