On letting yourself be seen. (Patreon)

It’s a vulnerable thing to allow oneself to be seen. It can be edgy in an I-feel-like-I'm-walking-on-a-tight-rope kind of way, whether we are live and in color with others, or connecting with our people or an audience (or even total strangers!) over the web.

And yet… don’t we all long for this? 

To varying degrees, and sometimes in slightly different ways?

We want to be witnessed. To be known. To have our existence recognized, at the very least – but ideally, to have it be celebrated.

And yet, we cannot have that happen without putting ourselves – our desires, our creations, ourselves – out there into the world.

It's getting dressed up extra special for a solo visit to a museum, hoping it gives you the boost needed to chat up a cute stranger.

It's feeling terrified to post examples of your art to Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, or wherever else – but doing it anyway.

It's telling a good story to the whole dinner table with the kind of energy and pizazz you never thought you could have.

It's being heart-wrenchingly vulnerable with your lover about the kinky, taboo, or secret desires you've kept hidden from them.

It's a very easy trap we fall into as artists – or as anyone in this world – to assume that it's selfish or narcissistic to want to be seen.

It's not. 

It's human.

It fosters connection.

If being seen brings you joy…

Even if it doesn't necessarily bring you joy... 

...even if it's something you simply feel called to do... 

...even if it's a tiny-itty-bitty-little-inkling...

Trust it.

Take the leap.

By all means.

Let yourself be seen.

xo

A.M.

Qs: In what ways do you enjoy being seen? In what ways do you shy away from it? How does "being seen" show up in your work? Your art? Your friend circles and communities? How do you respond to other people's desires to be seen and witnessed? What can you do to create more room for yourself to be seen in ways that are fulfilling to you?

Mantras: I am safe to enjoy myself and to be enjoyed. I allow myself to be witnessed. I celebrate myself. I celebrate others. I trust that I will be received in the right ways by the right people.