Yes, it’s great to be alive! I often get caught up with what ISN’T good in my life rather than what IS, and Thanksgiving is a great time for reflection. We always see everyone’s social media highlights of major accomplishments in career, life, love, and we often feel left out. Things could always be better, and and as a freelance artist I put lots of pressure on myself to be more productive, try for better opportunities, or try something different. This blog is a closer look at simpler things of what I’m thankful for, with a freelance spin, in no particular order.
Health - we all take it for granted until it’s not there anymore. Working on the FD comic for so many years really brought to light daily struggles that people with FD (and other conditions) experience. The worst I’ve gotten is a cold, and even that holds me up a few days and I’m not as productive.
Family - we all “say” we’re thankful for family, but do we really mean it? In particular I’m thankful for my parent’s support of my crazy artistic freelance antics over the years. This is something that many artists do not experience, and not having that emotional support can really weigh other artists down and it’s hard to fight against (though not impossible!). I also think of how my parents and grandparents worked their butts off so I could have a better life.
Friends - The classic Beatle’s song “I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends” is so true in my life. When I’m commiserating about an underwhelming comic con, just BEING there with a friend I’m sharing a table with, or making new friends with the people exhibiting around me, makes all the difference. It’s great hanging with people from my writer’s group too, who give a fresh perspective, not being in the comics world. And it’s just great to kick back with friends just for a fun party and let work fly out the window!
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but the first 3 things that came to mind.
Business Exercise:
Make a list of some things that you’re thankful for in your career. If things are not where you want them to be, besides brainstorming ideas of how to improve, make a list of what’s working well and how you can increase those things in your life.
