Life has been interesting these last few years... After graduating from college I became a Spanish teacher at a full-immersion preschool, then a nanny, and then back to being a full-time student. I'm wrapping up my first year of a two-year graphic design program at Shoreline Community College.
It has been a lot of fun and I'm really looking forward to the next year. Besides all the cool technical and design skills, I have learned a whole lot as a student, an artist, a designer, and a person in the last couple of years. I felt like putting together this list as both a way to share these thoughts with others and as a reminder to myself for when I feel like I'm running in place...
- Yes, grades are somewhat important, but the content of the classes and what you actually take away from that class are a million times more important. The new friendships (and networking connections) you make are also more important.
- Easy classes aren't fun; they piss me off! I want to learn something, damn it!
- Comparing myself to others who are “better” than me is a waste of time. They're not better, they're just further along the program or have skills I have yet to fully develop. I've met a whole bunch of incredibly talented people. Instead of feeling intimidated, I'm inspired!
- It is also a waste of time to get annoyed by idiots and slackers. It's their loss and they are not worth my energy.
- Technology is my friend. A very good friend, indeed! I still yell at my computer all the time, but what relationship isn't complete without a few bumps on the road?
- It's not ok to be unpleasant to someone you don't like, but it is perfectly ok to not be nice. There's a huge difference.
- It's ok if I go a couple of weeks without painting, as long as I am doing something productive (i.e. school/design work, exercising, reading, feasting my eyes on other wonderful art and design out there, etc).
- It's also ok to paint something crappy or doodle a cartoon just for fun and call it a healthy session of art-making. I can't always create awesomeness. Sometimes good ideas hit after not taking something seriously.
- I'm exponentially more productive when I'm happy, and I'm happy when I'm pursuing something that interests me, regardless of what it is.
- My boyfriend is mostly right when he says: “You're a Swiss Army Knife!”
- No matter where I am in my personal and professional life, I must strive to learn and grow. Always. An idle mind is my worst enemy.
- My happiness and well-being is a cycle: if I pursue what interests me I am happy; if I am happy I am better at what I do; if I am happy doing what I do I am a better person, a better girlfriend, a better friend and a better contributor to society.
- Only I can chose to make or break that cycle. No one else.
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