Being an Artist is Hard

Mastery comes after we have 10,000 hours in some craft or art.

~ Swedish psychology

Being an artist is really hard...but I do believe we are often harder on ourselves than others.  Though there are those days of rejection or negative criticism that can feel devastating, it sometimes helps to remember that even Monet was considered unskilled initially.  But I don't think art is more challenging than anything else...if you want to become a professional in any field, you have to work hard, to study, to practice, and to begin at the beginning.  I love hearing stories from people who have been in their line of work, whatever that may be, for many, many years.  How they began at the bottom and worked their way up.  How they kept trying and trying until they succeeded.  How they faced and overcame challenges.  How they kept learning.  How they were inspired by those who came before them.  How proud they are of their accomplishments and how they would do it all over again.  That is what I hold on to whenever I feel defeated.  Not only does time loom ahead, which can feel daunting, but we are so fortunate to know that there is so much to create in that time.