The Importance of Self Evaluation

Have you ever been on that journey, trying to find yourself? 

Salvador Dali

I am pretty sure most of us have, especially us creative types. We do tend to dig a little deeper in order to delve into depths of emotions most people choose to bury. These emotions are the catalyst to our art. In other people's lives they go to work, come home and spend time with family on the weekends and have created a routine that works very well. To stray from the routine is usually cumbersome, we all are creatures of habit

Although regimen and structure can be very beneficial if you are like me, I get bored quickly and need to keep things interesting or else I tend to get myself into little messes. The details of those messes is for another post altogether.

The world around us is forever changing even if we continue on our same path, everyday is a new day. I think we should always redefine who we are and what is important to keep up with the changes. I believe you should be unapologetic for changing your mind. You may feel one moment one way and the next moment completely different, especially if you keep your mind open to new ideas and different opinions.

I can only speak for myself and I know that I play many different roles in any given day and I act accordingly. I work in the corporate world and I behave as such, when I'm on stage, I'm a different person. I can be a writer, a friend, a daughter, a sister, whatever role I am, each is deserving of its own reaction and personality.

Stagnated ruts can quickly kill our creativity. Force yourself outside of your comfort zone daily. It is a sure fire way to learn your flaws and improve and build strengths where you were weak. Not only does it spill into our work but it makes us more well rounded individuals.  

I have a plethora of personal flaws that hold me back if I succumb to them and give them strength. But, you cannot fix something until you know what is broken, you have to view yourself with an extremely crucial and judgmental eye. If you are honest with yourself, you will see the good and embrace it and feel compelled to fix the bad. Once the bad is revealed it is your responsibility to make the change. Try not to justify, simply accept that it needs to be addressed.

For most of us it is difficult to view ourselves objectively. I find a good rule of thumb is to pay close attention to the insults you put towards others, often times if you spot it, you got it. Keep it to yourself, you do not have to air your dirty laundry, I'm simply giving you a way to gauge honestly. If you think to yourself, I am fine, it’s the rest of the world that is crazy; there is some truth in that, but you are still a part of that crazy world. Trust me don't be embarrassed I have said that many times and genuinely believed the statement.  

To ask someone to define who they are, I think is an impossibility unless you ask, who are you at this moment? It is easy to say here I am, take it or leave it, and be okay when someone decides to leave it. But if we really evaluate why that person decided to leave, and in all honesty try to improve on that flaw then maybe next time you will make a better companion.

This works in every aspect of our lives, be it creative or not, be critical and decide to always change for the better. It is human nature to be mad and offensive, but try not to even waste a moment with all that nonsense. After all, think about how many times someone said something and it made you angry, then later when by yourself in a quiet room, you thought more rationally that maybe they did have a point.

You have to start by loving yourself, I believe when we reach a point of comfort in ourselves it is easier for us to be happy and put good back into the world. Viewing people and things negatively is a reflection of you and who you are, do you want to be that person, if not, the only solution is to stop.

I'm still learning how to love myself, I beg your pardon while I'm on my journey and thank you to all of those people, who have been a shining example of who I want to be.