Things I Wish I Knew At 20 - Art & Self-Development

[@sorhain]

Thank you for sharing these tips! Even though I'm 28 I should try to implement many of these now! A lot of the time I feel like you are talking directly to me haha! I would tell 20 year old me to not give up on making art my primary job, research business more for sure, and to find the 1FW/online art communities sooner. Thank you for being a positive inspiration to us all! It's the best gift

[@helenake8142]

Thank you so much for your valuable advice Naomi!

[@chantalhoreis1929]

All of that is so true! Thank you for the video, Naomi! I think I am currently in the middle of all of that (although I am not 20 anymore XD). My 20 year old self too was way too bothered by what other people think is interesting. Funny thing is she also wanted to stand out. I would have told her to dare to just like whatever she likes. In art and life.

[@MyrtosArtCorner]

I love all the points you're making and I can totally relate with all of them!!! I would tell my 20 year old self to go for my dream and not choose "safety". I would tell her that it's possible if I truly believe in it and work hard! Doing what we love as a job is happiness and we are so convinced that safety is more important that we don't even consider it most of the time! Also, to be more open to new ideas instead of critisising everything. Being a default Yes instead of a default No opens up so many good opportunities! Great video, thank you for sharing!

[@lidewijdevries4444]

Thank you for making this video!! I really needed to hear this. As much as I would like to tell you what I would tell my younger self, I'm afraid I'm not there yet. Because I still struggle with all of the things you just mentioned. Literally all of them. And I'm nearly 30 now! 😳 It's a big problem for me because it keeps me from growing. Especially in my art and music. Fear, indecisiveness, comparison and most importantly too many ideas block my creative process and I get sooo stuck. It's a terrible feeling. I found some things that can help but my main problem right now is that tornado of ideas. I guess I have to pick one and break it down in smaller pieces. Thanks for the advice! I'm going to try this!

[@buckyV]

Turning 20 in a little over two months, thanks!

[@petermarlas8412]

That the only thing we truly have control over is how we spend our energy. Learn to recognize when that negative loop is running through your head and take the effort to stop it. Holding onto negative feelings only hurts you, so let them go.

[@smishstudio]

Great advice! Did you go to college for art? Why do you think it was a waste of time?

[@naomivandoren]

Glad you enjoyed this! And I didn't go to art school. I'm very much a self-starter and find that I learn things quickly (autodidactic). I've found that I have been able to gain all that I need to create and run my business specifically without any sort of art school degree and only learned what I needed to through mentorships, online courses, business books and learning as I go. It's not for everyone, we all learn very differently, but it's what has worked for me. I have a background in Graphic Design (2-year community college degree).

[@smishstudio]

@@naomivandoren Nice! I feel like anything is possible with the internet. College/University doesn't work for everyone. Especially with a creative career, it's all about your skills and physical product. No one asks to see your art degree before buying your work haha Do you think your Graphic Design degree helped you with your current art career at all?