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The twenty-something who claims to be a life coach, the teenager who writes she’s a “photographer, stylist and writer”.
And you find yourself thinking: “What do they know about that stuff???”
But I find myself thinking something else too, if I can say something good about myself is that I’ve learned to learn from every thing, moment, happening.
So yes, even if the first impression may leave you a bit stunned, I came to the conclusion that self proclaming/defining is not that bad, after all.
This is thanks also to a book my singing teacher lent me “The rock and roll singer’s survival manual” by Mark Baxter (great book!), there was one thing that struck me: you can say you are somebody who works a certain job and then sings, or you can say that you are a singer earning his living out of a certain job.
It makes the difference, a huge difference.
Because in the precise moment you look at yourself in the mirror and you say to yourself “I am X” (astronaut, singer, dreamer, shmurf) then you have to take some responsibilities.
If you go and write it on the internet, where everyone can see it, then you have more responsibilities, but before dealing with what other people may think, let’s focus on the first responsibilities that come up.
Saying you are “something” works as a memento of a goal you have, it keeps you motivated to act and behave in a certain way, to go in a certain direction, to achieve a certain goal.
Keeping up with the book I mentioned before a singer always have to remember that anywhere he goes, anything he does, his instrument is always with him… like a guitar player going to the bus stop, every day, with 40° or with a freezing rain, and his lovely guitar has no case, and takes bumps on the bus… You are starting to picture what it means defining yourself and living up to it?
Onto the responsibilities you have with other people. If you write you’re a photographer then you should commit in taking pictures every day, saving money to afford better and newer lenses, learn tricks in photoshop, keeping you photo account up to date and spread the word about it. Nobody will come at night pulling your calves if you change your mind, just don’t go like the fox and the grapes, really, deeply committing to your goal will be enough so that you won’t, as we say around here, look like a chocolatier.
The need of commitment and the clarity of a goal you get from defining yourself is what it makes this thing worth it.
Moreover, we don’t need to be all painters or astronauts, if that’s not what you’re into. It works for the “stage persona” I was talking about the last time, too!
You can come up with your very own definition.
Soul of the kitchen? Why not! Psychedelic-goth seamstress? Yay! Synapsis fae? If it means something to you, go on!
I’m still looking for my self-proclamation, so what about you? How would you define yourselves?
So true! Great post, Eurofilla!
I think a defining moment for me was when I had to fill out a customs card in New Zealand airport earlier this year, and for the first time, I was able to answer 'writer' for my occupation – it was exciting because while I've always been writing, it'd never been my paid occupation before then, so it was a wonderful, strange moment
I agree, awesome post! The only worry I have had about giving myself a title is that others will trust me too soon…
But after reading what you say, maybe that worry is only true if I say I am something and then make no effort to be it!
http://www.joannefaith.com
Thank you both!
And yes, that's the point: is almost like deciding what you wanto to be/to do when "you grow up".
And after deciding, and committing, if you also achieve it's a big reward!