So there you are in your boots and overcoat, taking the first step in your journey. You have prepared yourself with countless practice and absorbing the knowledge that you could find. You feel the initial exhilaration and freedom as you run across the open plains but lo and behold, a hugeass mountain suddenly looms before you. Boy does that look dangerous....
Now what?
It takes courage and will to even think about wanting to start something entirely new, and even more so to take the first step out the door. I believe that anyone who does so despite the challenges faced and reservations they may have, deserves to feel proud for trying because it shows that you are willing to push yourself.
I have been through that myself when I decided to pursue my childhood passion of drawing despite having no experience whatsoever. The people around were of mixed reactions, some saying to live life the way I want it, with others telling me to be realistic and pragmatic. Regardless, the decision laid with me to decide on a path. So off I went on an exhausting, spirit breaking journey which more often than not, made me question my decision.
The endless spiral
The more I thought about my end goal which was to become a professional illustrator (which is still a LONG LONG LOOOOOOONG way off), the harder it seemed to reach it. I was constantly failing and not meeting (self-imposed) expectations which made moving forward both mentally and physcially tough. All of these compounded and led me to think I would never reach that end goal.
Imagine a dark spiral stairway with the sun shining down. You continually trudge on hoping to reach the top but it never seems to get any nearer. Try as you may, you don't seem to make any progress so you stop. End of journey.
Put one foot infront of the other
Did I actually want to stop though? I don't think so. I had the courage to take that first step and I don't intend to give up on that dream of mine. So how do I proceed when it seems the dawn is so far off?
The answer? Baby steps. This was what my mentor told me. I knew I sucked, so the only way forward is to UNSUCK. Don't think about trying to reach the mountain submit when you are not even at base camp! Heck, Rome was not built in a day and there is truth to it. I compared myself to others who are better but the TRUE OPPONENT I am supposed to surpass was, and always would be, MYSELF.
Set small goals and take pride in achieving them.
Take one step, and then take another. And another. And another.
Because the journey is about the small experiences and progress that were made, putting one foot forward each time and learning from it. Learning and improving so that we can better face the slopes and slippery roads ahead.
