Do you consider yourself a creative?
For a while, I didn’t. I would feel confident in calling myself a blogger, a content creator, a girl who enjoys dabbling in design on occasion. But never a creative.
I also never have, and still don’t really, call or consider myself a designer. Self-taught or otherwise. I’ve been designing graphics and web layouts for years now. I figured I had figured out a way to blog and do what I love without having to pay for a costly designer or expensive graphic packages. But that didn’t make me a designer, per-say.
Working on this latest rebrand –this completely new blog with a new image and refreshed vision, has gotten me thinking about the role that titles play in being a creative. I think that we accept or reject certain titles based off of how we feel they fit into the overall vision that we have for ourself. And confidence plays a huge role, too. If you’re confident in your skills, and see that skill set as something you want to carry into your destiny, you will more than likely call yourself that.
I’m a blogger –I see myself blogging long term (though, maybe never full time). I’m confident in my abilities as a blogger, I feel comfortable in this role. But as far as designing goes, I’ve tried to force it into my vision for a while, but it doesn’t fit as easy as blogging does. I’ve finally accepted that owning a shop, taking on dozens of clients each year, launching a new website every week just isn’t in the cards for me.
And that’s okay, because I can still design, and other amazing opportunities to grow a blooming business online are also available to me. I’m a creative because I love to create, and that’s more than enough for me.
[Tweet “Being a creative goes beyond what you call yourself. It means living your truest passions.”]
What titles do you give yourself? Do you think they play a role in your life online, or in your business?
EVERYONE is a creative, my friend! Just gotta exercise that muscle. 🙂
Couldn’t agree more… it’s just finding how to work your muscle that’s the challenge.
This is a really interesting conversation. As an editor and writing coach, I’m constantly telling my clients that they need to start calling themselves writers. Especially when people ask what they do for a living/hobby.
It’s scary to acknowledge that creative part of ourselves, especially to others, because it means revealing that we’re taking a chance on something we’re passionate about, and we might fail. But time and time again, when people step up and start calling themselves writers, they gain confidence and are able to work past the creative blocks they’ve been struggling with. It’s such an empowering thing to own your creativity as part of your title.
I completely agree –call yourself what you want to be! Creating your own title and not subscribing to ones others place on you (even if those titles are positive) is an extremely empowering thing.
I love this post! It’s so easy to get caught up in what someone else’s definition of a creative/writer/blogger/artist is. I think that if you can identify with that title – professionally or self-educated, and you’re passionate about it, then you are who you are. Again, I love your new space!
It’s all about how YOU define YOU!
I’m the opposite of you… I call myself an artist and designer (because that’s what I do and what I love), but I’ve never called myself a blogger…yet. Maybe because I don’t think I’m a good writer :/. But definitely I’m a creative… I’m always creating something either at my full time job or for my small business.
I can definitely understand where you’re coming from. My recommendation is to continue writing and blogging as often as you can. As you progress challenge yourself to try to new things with your writing style and how you express things. Edit your posts a few times before publishing, allow yourself to be inspired by other writing styles. Over time, you will become more confident and comfortable –and then maybe, you’ll call yourself a blogger 🙂
YES. This is a thing that I struggle with all the time. People ask “What do you do?” and you want to be able to encapsulate that in one or two words. In ordering new business cards for my … stuff (for lack of a better word), I decided on “Creative Lifestyle Blogger, Artist, Designer” but I feel like that still doesn’t represent all the things!
Louisiana has been a heat wave since April so I definitely know how you feel. And while I can’t say that I’m totally ready for summer to be over with, I won’t be disappointed if Fall decided to grace us a little early. I’m looking forward to smelling that first bit of fresh fall air.
As far as bobby pins go, I don’t keep up with them either. And pony tail holders? Let’s just say I’ve gotten quite creative when I’m in a hurry. LOL!
What a great discussion question! I consider myself a blogger but, if I could use “lost” as a title, I would. I don’t know what the heck i’m doing with my life (as of recent) which is why the word “lost” perfectly describes my title, LOL!