May 28, 2020

Defined by ‘No’

Saying Yes is easy. Saying yes keeps people happy and keeps me busy. Saying yes to going to dinner, having a drink, going to a friends’ place, working on a book. Saying yes brings me a lot of joy.

But for two letters, No is a powerful word. In contrast to saying Yes, saying No is hard. Saying No disappoints people. “I can’t help with that right now.” “No, I can’t attend your event.” “No, I’m not interested in illustrating that book.” No is the hardest word for me to say because I generally derive most of my pleasure from pleasing people. But, in the long run, saying no has never led to a catastrophic mistake.

No unlocks things. No makes it about me, not them. No creates space to think, to breathe, and to observe. Saying ‘No’ helps me say yes to things that matter, when they matter most.

Other observations
November 5, 2024

Consistent or resistant

Is my aversion to change about my wanting to be consistent? Or, am I actually being resistant and am I losing something because of that?

October 22, 2024

Critically unacclaimed

What do reviews really tell us about the work? Does it matter who’s reviewing?

October 15, 2024

Proper technique

If I’m learning a new art form, do I focus on technical correctness first or building an emotional connection with the medium?

October 8, 2024

The importance of mess

Physical art materials are messy and inconvenient. But isn’t that the point?

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