Creative Renaissance & Staying True to Self
A Mid Year Review and a Reminder that You're not the only one all over the place
Over the past few months, I’ve been experimenting. You’ve seen me work through a digital travel series, a podcast, a concierge fitness platform, and even this newsletter. It’s a weird time for a lot of creatives right now. We’re stuck between creativity, capitalism, and sheer survival during a volatile sociopolitical, technological and economic climate. At times there are feelings of discomfort, fear, uncertainty, and other times joy, excitement, wonder. And while all the things you do may utilize your wide array of expertise or stimulate your passions, it’s important that you don’t forget your purpose.
While attending American Black Film Festival in Miami this past June, I had the opportunity to listen to a motivational and improvisational talk by Dondré Whitfield. He shared this simple but very eloquent realization.
“A passion is what you do for yourself and a purpose is what you’re meant to do for others.”- Dondré Whitfield
At the most divine time, this quote really stuck with me and pushed me to acknowledge the storm stirring inside of me. It was time to choose something that I could sustain without needing validation, something I was not only good at, but was also divinely ordained. The reality is that juggling all the passions can get overwhelming and lead to chronic burnout. The pressure can be crippling especially if you’ve had issues with overthinking, perfectionism, or productivity. Sometimes stepping outside our comfort zones means doing something, and for others it may mean doing nothing — radical rest, liberating self-love, or whatever you want to call it. In May, when my career coach told me to drop everything, it jolted my spirit and forced me to really stop and listen to not just my body, but what my soul needed.
“Sometimes the hardest but most powerful realization is accepting that the path you’re on is actually not leading you to where you need to be.” - Love Nafi
However, this is not a jab at the journey. The journey, the trial and error, and the creative exploration is what builds us, colors our lives, and makes us who we are uniquely. Pauses can be powerful, and the exact revolutionary beat you need to actually keep moving with more aligned intention. When I made the choice to focus on film directing, it’s quite spectacular how opportunities just started opening up. All the energies will align to serve your purpose when you finally make the choice.
Some discernment I am carrying into Q3 and Q4
My purpose is to be film director, cultural disruptor, and visionary storyteller.
You do not have to always monetize your creativity, passions, or gifts even though Western society or social media tricks us into believing otherwise. This can often misconstrue your feelings around self-worth.
I am doubling down on helping people Live Creatively, and as such, this newsletter will be titled the same. Less focus on success and more focus on empowering multihyphenate creatives to live, heal, and create on their own terms. When it comes to creativity, trust that I overstand and you are not alone.
Don’t be afraid to step back from overcommitting in order to focus on your true north!
Ways You Can Support:
Work with me to bring your vision to life.
Invite a friend to join this newsletter.
Exciting projects are brewing on the Love Nafi Production Film Slate, and this fall/winter we go into pre-production. The team is currently growing, and we’re also looking for an awesome executive creative assistant to join us. If you are seriously interested, please send your resume to hello@lovenafi.com
If you made it this far into my newsletter, maybe you would also be interested in creative office hours. This monthly or bi-monthly creative circle is meant to offer support, curated thought leadership, and accountability to creatives who may be feeling alone or a lacking a support system. If you are interested, respond to the poll below.
Find me:
Website: www.lovenafi.com
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