Creative Block is a weekly newsletter that gives you a glimpse into my life, creativity, design, and music. It's like a little pick-me-up that you get delivered straight to your inbox each week.
As creatives, we often stand at the crossroads of potential and self-doubt, a place where the fear of the unknown can immobilize our creative spirit, causing us to question the value of our ideas. Many of us have experienced this juncture, and perhaps some of us are here right now, caught in the grip of self-criticism whispering, "I'm not good enough."… “It’s been done before”.
I've had this internal battle for years, but this year was perhaps the hardest and yet, the most rewarding. It taught me that sometimes our aspirations wage war against our fear of failure. We stop ourselves from completing a project because of that fear, the fear that others won't understand our work or buy the art we're working on. However, what I've realized this year is that the real success is in the doing.
Have you ever thought about how miraculous it is to have an idea and bring it into fruition? Imagine something pops into your mind, keeping you awake at night. Excitedly, you open up your computer and start piecing together a mood board. You call up your friends and share the idea with them. They get excited and help you bring this idea, which was once just a thought, into the world. It's special. The success is in actually doing it. It doesn't matter if your project only sold one piece or if people don't fully grasp your work. You had an idea and relentlessly pursued it until it became a realty, and that, in itself, is a miracle worth celebrating.
Here are a few things I was Afraid to do this year:
Newsletter: I've always wanted to start a newsletter but never really knew what to write about, and I always felt like no one would listen to what I have to say. On top of that, I've always hated writing since high school. I’ve also been afraid of failing when it comes to newsletters. So, I subconsciously told myself, "If I don't do it, then I didn't fail." But I'm so glad I did it. It's been therapeutic. It feels like sending a letter to a bunch of people who potentially have the same thoughts or feelings but find it hard to articulate into words.
Physical items: I launched my Jacket and Basketball this year, and man, I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF. I had been afraid to make this jump because I really didn't think my work could translate well into physical clothing or objects. But here I am. I've been so afraid for so long to do this, but after SEEING my first sample, something clicked in my mind. I had this confidence I never knew was in me. While the basketball sales haven't matched the success of the jacket, creating my own basketball was a significant achievement. I have to remind myself that even if my items don't sell out, it was still a success.
Order Basketball here (Will be shipping this month)
Buying a Business: My wife and I bought a business. We are now the proud owners of a Natural Light Photography Studio called THE TX STUDIO. The thought of acquiring another business on top of what I already do was scary, but I don't regret it. Taking that leap taught me a lot about myself. I'm now learning how to build a community in a different way. Meeting the people who come to shoot, hearing their stories, and finding ways to collaborate bring me so much joy. Being in a neighborhood where you don't see many black business owners was something we wanted to change, and now we can show others it's possible.
In closing, remember that every creative endeavor, no matter the outcome, is a testament to your courage and resilience. Embrace the journey, for it is in doing, even when you're afraid, that you uncover your greatest potential. What something you were initially afraid of doing and how did it feel when you did it?
→Creatives to know
Samy Löwe | I came across Samys work via Instagram Reel and there just something pleasing about his style of work. It’s playful, fun but mesmerizing and I’m in awe at his talent. He’s truly one of a kind.
Oghale | Oghale’s work feels like a dream you never want to wake up from. His eye for composition, posing, coloring, and story telling in unmatched. He is truly amazing at what he does. I always smile when I see his work on my feed! From one African to Another, I salute you sir!
Lola Adesina | There are a lot of “influencers” out there but I feel like Lola is more than that. Her videos are engaging and honest. You can tell she puts a lot of thought and effort into her videos and it shows. I’ve learned a lot from her about exercise, protein intake, face routine, where to go to for vacation (lol) etc and honestly I’m just proud of her because she took the creative route like I did and now we’re living out our dreams. I’m always rooting for my African brothers and sisters in the creative industry cause I know our path there wasn’t always easy.
→Quote of the week
I've been wanting to apply to a certain MFA program for a while. Instead of applying, I've been working on another projects, doing my full time job, and also considering journalism programs. Today, after reading this newsletter entry and also journaling a lot, I've decided to apply. So just wanted to say thank you!
I'm proud to be able to see you pushing past your fears to pursue your goals. Keep going bro!