I stumbled across this quote in my social media feed, so simple, yet it was like an arrow to my heart! And it’s stuck with me, like a persistent itch, forcing me to pay attention, why does this resonate so much with me?

To be completely honest I think it hit a nerve.

I know to be a good artist, to make art that is original, interesting and connects with people, that it needs to come from my heart. I know that in my head, but to trust that in my heart is much more challenging. Can I really trust myself to create something better than all the amazing art I covet in my social media feed or will I be tempted to reproduce mediocre look-a-likes, someone else’s voice rather than my own.

That little doubtful voice is whispering repeatedly that I’m not very interesting, who’s going to be interested in my story – I worked boring office admin jobs, I didn’t go to university, I haven’t lived in lots of different places, I’m not particularly clever or quick witted. At school I was very shy and people barely noticed me, I felt invisible and that feeling has stuck with me. I feel so, well, ordinary. Everyone around me seems to be accomplishing incredible things. Who is going to want to see my heart?

But then I thought, if I feel like this sometimes, maybe someone else does too which is why I’m sharing my inner thoughts with you. Because the real truth is that none of us are ordinary. There is no one else on this earth that is exactly like you or me, that is walking the path you walk, that has had the same exact experiences as you or the same personality. We are in fact all extra-ordinary, miracles in our own right. We are made remarkable just as we are!

So on the days you feel “ordinary” just remember that to be brave enough to be who you really are is fascinating and refreshing in a world where there is so much inauthenticity, where so many of us are just trying to “fit in” and lose ourselves in the process.

I think this is one of the reasons I paint, because I want to be seen and noticed. I want to discover who I am, connect with my tribe, I want people to see the depths and treasures in my soul. I Do have something unique and special to offer to the world and so do you.

So as the kids today say, “Just do you”! For me this is something I have to work at on a daily basis but I know it’s the path to happiness and good art so i will keep trying!