Thursday, May 12, 2016

Just Did.


You know, I spend a lot of time on the internet looking at beautiful things, buying beautiful things, and pining after beautiful things. I spend a lot of time admiring other people's work, wishing I could produce such emotive writing; wishing I could take a photo that was worthy of enlarging into a poster-sized, frameable piece of art to be hung over my bed; wishing I could get an article published in this or that magazine.

Then, the other day, I was doing my usual pining after someone else's work (in this case, it was a  photograph of the beach) when I thought, 'Hey, wait a minute. I just came back from the beach. I took some nice photos at the beach. Hang on, let me - yep, they're more than nice, they're actually really good.' So, I ordered a poster-sized print to frame and put over my bed. I plan to lie there, looking up every morning, and think: 'That's my own damn photograph hanging over my own damn bed.' Yup.

Because why? Because I'm good enough. Because I'm capable of creating something that even I would pay money for.

This was a revelation.

Why did it take me so long to figure out?

It was always:

I want to start a business, but ... I don't have enough experience. I don't know what I'm doing.

I want to pitch an article to this magazine, but ... they probably get thousands of submissions every day. My writing isn't good enough. It's not precise enough, not witty enough.

I want to frame some of my photos, but ... they were edited in VSCOCam, not Photoshop, which is still sitting unopened on my counter at home.

And then I see someone do ALL these things and the results are half of what I could have achieved. And I'm all, "Oh my gosh, I could have done a much better job!" The difference? They had a shit-ton of self-belief and the audacity to just do it. And for them, it wasn't a matter of "could have done", it was a matter of "just did". That self-belief goes a long way. It goes a long way in convincing other people (people like me) that you can do it - despite all those "buts" above.

After that, I gave myself permission to believe in myself. Because if I don't do it, who will?

So, here it goes: I am an excellent writer. I am a fantastic photographer. I have a great eye for interior design. I am a talented musician. I am a "creative" (thank you, thank you, thank you, Rebecca Pitts for believing in me enough to refer to me as one in this article).

Now, your turn.
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45 comments

  1. Open Photoshop! It's so much fun!
    Also, I too sit and marvel at people with minimal talent and maximum audacity going out and doing shizz, but have no idea how to up my audacity index, or should that be a confidence index? Bah. Such is life.

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    1. Oh man, I really should - I am just too L.A.Z.Y.! Will devote a weekend to it, though.

      Thank you, Frankie, for nailing it on the head. Minimal talent + maximum audacity = path to success (most of the time).

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  2. I so needed to read this today. Great post.
    Sophie
    x
    A Story of a Girl

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    1. Thank you, Sophie! I'm so glad that it resonated with you. x

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  3. YES! This post is brilliant - I wish we all felt like that. Literally had a conversation about this the other day and you're right - it's the self belief thing that's the difference. Everyone has some kind of talent but I guess not everyone has the self confidence. So glad you wrote this!
    x

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    1. Thank you, Asmaa! I think we should. Sometimes, I'm my own worst enemy - no one is putting up those barriers to achieving my goals except for me. It's a difficult hurdle though, especially if - like me - you were always taught to be humble/modest or maybe led to believe that you work was not "up to scratch" or "good enough" or that you could "do better". But this is something different, I think. We can always "do better", but what we're doing RIGHT NOW is already GOOD ENOUGH. xxx

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  4. So, so many yesses (oh and insert witty yet intelligent comment here ;D)

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  5. Just what I needed to read this morning!

    I spend all day with "creatives" but I was always hesitant to label myself that way. (Funny, because my job title has the word "creative" in it!) Like you said, I didn't believe I was good enough. I'd developed this fear of being laughed at like one of those people who go on singing/talent shows and REALLY can't sing.

    But actually I think I have pretty good taste. I'm not delusional. Hey, I spend all day being paid to give notes on other people's creative! So, if I like what I'm making and doing then there's a pretty good chance someone else will.

    Thanks, Jaime. Your writing and photography, especially, both inspire me daily.

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    1. Thank you, Sorcha. <3 Your comment made my day.

      And heck YES, you have AMAZING taste. You're not delusional! You're awesome. Through and through.

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  6. I totally feel this. I can't even count the number of blogs I've started and then closed down over the years because after a couple of months I've felt so inadequate as a writer. And don't even get me started on photography, that shit's *hard*!

    OK, so here goes:

    I am an excellent singer. I'm a pretty good writer, and definitely a prolific one. I'm a resilient businesswoman. And I'm a good poet.

    It's ridiculous how hard I'm finding it to hit "post" after saying I'm good at something...

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    1. You're an excellent singer. You're a DAMN GOOD writer. You're a fantastic businesswoman. You're an amazing poet. You're an inspiration to me!

      xo

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    2. And you're an inspiration to ME! I love your blog.

      Ah, feelin' the love on the blogosphere this afternoon :) <3

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  7. Brilliant post - adore your work and can't wait to see what your new venture brings :) Self doubt is the biggest hurdle to cross, I'm so excited for you! xx

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    1. Thank you so, so much, Danielle. Self-doubt is definitely my biggest hurdle to cross. I just need to remind myself that I'm the bees' knees every time I wake up! xx

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  8. I loved this, Jaime - and I really needed it today. (And I love your writing and photography - go for it and "do" all these things!). x

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    1. Katie! Thank you. It means a lot to me coming from you, as your blog is one that I've admired for a while! xxx

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  9. *high five*. also add, "i am an exceptional friend" and "i am sophisticated" <--- my mom vouches for that one ("jaime is sooo chic!")

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    1. Thank you x a million, my personal cheerleader! <3 <3 <3

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  10. I'm so glad you've had this revelation Jaime as you really are all of the above and I have absolutely no idea where you get such an amazing eye for interior design from - seriously, have you ever thought about doing it as a career? I'm very much still lacking in the self belief and ability to just take the plunge and do it thing, maybe one day...

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    1. Thank you so much, Shikha. Watch this space! ;)

      Take the plunge! I'll be here to cheer you on! xo

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  11. "After that, I gave myself permission to believe in myself. Because if I don't do it, who will?" ... yes, yes, yes! My husband says this to me, especially when I mention that I've seen something where I've known I'd have done a better job ... great post today, thanks!

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  12. Jaime, I LOVE this. It's so annoying that it takes so much ourselves to admit that we are good at something. There's a whole heap of things I convince myself not to do and sometimes I blame laziness but actually I know it's because if I find out it's possible, I'll scare myself even more! So *deep breath*, I'm a good writer, a not too shabby baker and I'm definitely getting better at photography...probably. I'll believe that soon, I promise!
    Cx
    charliedistracted.com 

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    1. Charlie! You're a great writer. A terrific baker. An excellent photographer (I know, because I love your photos!). I believe it all. xx

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  13. Yes, yes, yes. I have so many things on my list that I talk myself out of. I want to start a small t-shirt business, be more crafty. Then I start "comparing" and it's all over. Darn it! I'm going to do it.

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  14. Thanks for this kick up the butt! For me I've never even gotten as far as buying Photoshop because I don't believe I'm worth the investment. Sigh.

    However! I've been getting some good feedback on my photography recently and I'm teaching myself how to use my camera better, plus I invested in my migration to self hosted Wordpress and I couldn't be happier about it. So I think things are a-changing... Maybe it's this whole turning 30 thing!?

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    1. I've just followed you on Instagram, Rachel! Your photos are BEAUT-IFUL! You are so worth it! And you deserve that good feedback. 100%!

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  15. I loved reading this in the early hours of this morning, isn't it amazing how we can all be the biggest self-doubters where others would look at what we do and wonder why we have any worries or insecurities. I think there's so many opportunities out there now that weren't around before that you have to try and I think you're so inspirational! Xx

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    1. Thank you so much, Lins! I think that a lot of people don't see the "behind-the-scenes" very often, so they assume everything is just fine and dandy! Haha! But you're right - there are so many opportunities to chase after. Same right back to ya xx

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  16. This was perfect timing as while reading this I am also waiting for a video I did of doing my makeup to upload on Youtube. The whole video on my mind I was like this is crazy there are tons of these out there but then I thought well I think I am funny and actually do my makeup pretty good for being self taught so why not! I am a bit nervous that no one will watch but o well at least I enjoyed it!

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    1. I just watched the video and subscribed! I loved it! You're so natural in front of the camera! Post more, please! :)

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  17. Such a brilliant piece. I definitely do this too much and it gets me down from time to time. But you are right; 'just did' is way better than 'could have done'. Reading this has been me feel super positive! xx

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    1. Thank you, Vicky! I think we talked about this briefly at brĂ¼nch last weekend, but it's hard when you're trying to "do it all" and balance what are essentially 2 - 3 full time jobs! I'm so glad that this resonated with you though, and you have more talent in your pinky finger than so many people I know! xx

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  18. Bravo, Jaime! You're super talented and major #inspo for photography and writing.

    Emma Louise Layla x
    emmalouiselayla.com

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    1. Thank you so, so much, Emma! That means so much coming from you, since I've admired your blog for such a long time! xxx

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  19. This is exactly the kind of positive inspiration I needed to imbibe first thing today... great post Jaime! xx

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    1. Thank you, Ayushi! I'm so glad that you found it inspiring - you continually wow me with your posts and photos! xx

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  20. Yes, you are awesomely creative... and you have awesome style and hair, too!
    Loved this. And you know what, you're right. I used to feel super confident about my capabilities but now I'm not particularly sure how or when or why I became slightly shy. Thanks for the push, Jaime. Needed to hear this today.

    Honey x The Girl Next Shore

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    1. HAHA, thank you, Honey! I think the same of you and your hair + amazing sense of style! You SHOULD feel super confident in your capabilities - you rock! xx

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  21. Yes! Great post - if only we were as supportive and admiring of our own work as we are of others.

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    1. Thank you, Andie! I think we always tend (well, not all of us - SOME of us, ha!) to look at our own work with a critical eye. But sometimes it's good to recognize, or as you say, admire the what we've accomplished!

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  22. That's an awesome article - really inspiring! And I love the self-belief in this article. I always talk myself down and don't believe I'm good enough at anything - my mum says I'm my own worst enemy! Reading your post has given me a much-needed boost, and I'm glad you're treating yourself kindly and shooting for the stars.

    Sophie :-)

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    1. Thank you, Sophie! I'm so glad that you liked it. I really hope you're able to keep reminding yourself (which I'm working on right now!) just how amazing and skilled you are! xxx

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