Standing still is uncomfortable.

I’m having some resistance to the process. I just turned 34 and although I know that things take time and life unfolds at it’s own pace… I want it now. I spent the last six years working as a designer prior to joining the c7 cohort at BDW. I’m not clear if my experience is holding me back or pushing me forward. Learning to re-think everything has, at times, brought things to a halt. I’ve previously always moved forward as fast as possible, but now there is a thick creative fog surrounding most everything that I am creating.

Standing still is uncomfortable. I’m used to moving at lightning speed, working as fast and furious as I possibly could. Putting my head down and creating for hours and hours. Now I am being challenged to defend my design decisions unlike ever before. Design is hard, and it’s becoming harder. Creating my voice as a designer is even harder. These past few months have made me hyper aware of how far I have to go. Everything is under a critical paralyzing lens. Writing this blog is a perfect example of how the critical lens has led to paralysis.

This week our team presented to Alex Bogusky of Crispin Porter + Bogusky and according to Alex, the butterflies never go away. The butterflies never go away and it’s only going to get more challenging to produce creative work. The lens will become even more critical.

Thankfully our presentation was well received and our team’s hard work paid off. The pay off felt good and felt reassuring that the critical lens is working. The creative decisions are paying off and work is being well received.