I love this! This goes right to the heart of my piece on Imposter Syndrome. It’s interrelated. We live in a society that only legitimizes people or accepts your “success” if you are showing a profit. Or at least “look really busy.” But half of the problem is that creativity often looks lazy. Like your story, I am caring for an aging mom, handling other personal challenges and working at my craft… many many hours of unpaid and unseen labor. But in the background I am always working. In my head I am planning a recital, thinking about repertoire choices for a student, etc… I may not be doing a recital series, but all this planning and learning music…. That has to happen first! Do people think that all happens by magic? And so we’re “lazy.” I love that you spell it out. And encourage us to embrace our artistic nature without apologies. 🎶👏🎶👏
I love this! This goes right to the heart of my piece on Imposter Syndrome. It’s interrelated. We live in a society that only legitimizes people or accepts your “success” if you are showing a profit. Or at least “look really busy.” But half of the problem is that creativity often looks lazy. Like your story, I am caring for an aging mom, handling other personal challenges and working at my craft… many many hours of unpaid and unseen labor. But in the background I am always working. In my head I am planning a recital, thinking about repertoire choices for a student, etc… I may not be doing a recital series, but all this planning and learning music…. That has to happen first! Do people think that all happens by magic? And so we’re “lazy.” I love that you spell it out. And encourage us to embrace our artistic nature without apologies. 🎶👏🎶👏
And if you’re wondering what “You’re not working” also looks like, check out the latest article on my other page:
https://thelucrativevoice.substack.com/p/the-voice-the-structure-and-the-standard