love is blind: lessons learned in the pursuit of passion
During the first ten years of my career, I freely gave away a lot – my time and my money. It was a period of self-discovery and growth, where I chose selflessness and self-sacrifice to understand myself better.
In 2013/14, I embarked on a new venture and started an art center that catered to artists and creative professionals. It was a challenging two and a half years, filled with countless volunteer hours. Balancing 10-12 hours per week on this project, a full-time job, and maintaining my art practice taught me a great deal about myself and self-discipline. Back then, I was not overly concerned about small details and lived my life with immense trust – it worked well for me, at the time.
From that experience, I took away two significant lessons:
Firstly, avoid pouring your heart into a business venture without a solid plan to make money. While this may seem obvious, many fall into the trap of inevitable disappointment, burnout, and heartbreak. When your expectations don't align with reality, your energy becomes devalued, and your heart is bound to get broken. I witnessed many people suffering from heartbreaks, and the recovery process can be painful and repetitive.
Closing down the art center left me yearning for that constant flow of connection. I was used to someone always demanding my attention, and suddenly it went quiet. I eagerly awaited calls and messages, wanting to be needed or to provide something valuable. Looking back, I now realize this was an unhealthy relationship with the business. It became 80% heart and 20% reward, which was not sustainable. My heart was greedy to "make it work," but I lacked the understanding of what the business needed to thrive.
The second lesson that excites me the most is learning to gain perspective by creating distance. We are taught this in art school – step back, take a break (and breathe), wander around the studio, and return to your piece with “fresh eyes”. This practice reveals new aspects you didn't notice before, and you realize that initial judgments don't always hold. Unfortunately, recognizing mistakes while they happen is challenging. Perspective will provide you with the answers you need for success, but it may not always align with the expectations you hold.
After five years, these lessons are finally sinking in. I now recognize when it's time to let go and move on. More importantly, I've learned to approach challenges with awareness and bravery, reflecting on what I can do differently and better. This is the only way to see what's right in front of you clearly.
Early in my career, I made a decision not to be solely driven by money. Instead, I identified my passion and committed to living it out. While the journey had its ups and downs, these lessons have become my guiding stars. Love may indeed be blind, but through awareness and reflection, we can navigate our path with clarity and purpose.
