Where did we leave off? Clearly, I was struggling to just exist day to day without being completely overwhelmed by panic. My anxiety was bad. Really, really bad. And, after I came back from my "holiday" (if you could even call it that), I was met with another blow: my job was gone. At first, this seemed like a devastating setback. Who was I now that I was unemployed, without a direction or paycheck? Yet, in this moment of unexpected change, something remarkable happened: I found a profound sense of relief. With no job to return to, I was free to focus on self-care and exploring a new path: becoming a freelance writer and, later, an artist. I had to do credit card cash advances just to pay rent, but this new flexibility was just what I needed. I began to heal, mentally and physically, and started building a business that aligned with my passions and values. I could breathe a sign of relief, for the first time in a long time.
And in the process, I learned an important life lesson: our imperfections are what make us beautiful. For so long, I was trying to meet everyone else's expectations, striving for perfection without ever faltering. Because, deep down, I believed that I wasn’t good enough. Boy, was I wrong. Getting fired from my marketing job was the best turn my life could have taken. Now, I have a career I love, and I accept myself as I am, imperfections and all.
This experience is the inspiration behind my most treasured painting, "Gilded Falls," which represents the beauty in imperfection. Originally, this was meant to be a beach scene, but the paint began to drip down the canvas. In a quick attempt to save it, I turned the canvas. When I returned a few minutes later, a beautiful waterfall scene had emerged. I added gold leaf to the distant trees to symbolize the golden opportunities that can arise from life’s unexpected twists and turns.
Are you tired of people holding a microscope up to your "flaws"? Are you tired or trying to meet everyone else's expectations? That stops today, my friend. Because it's time to accept yourself and start living your life for you, and those who love you at you best and worst. If you're ready to celebrate your uniqueness, then Gilded Falls in the print for you. And, in a few days, you may win a framed, signed copy of it! You'll have 24 hours to claim your prize, so keep an eye on your inbox to know if you’ve won. Need a creative escape? Take a closer look at Gilded Falls to remember the unique quirks that make you beautiful. Until we speak again, keep being your awesome, imperfect self. Because the world needs you.
Tanya
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