THE WILL TO BE WEIRD
As an English born, Polish-Chilean girl, it's not hard for me to feel like an oddball. Living out of suitcases in true gypsy fashion, we spent our childhood traveling up and down Europe by bus for days at a time watching the landscape of our lives literally morph as the scenery changed before our eyes. The hurdle for me has been accepting that otherness.
In a way we all strive to belong, almost as if that deeply ingrained need for acceptance were a condition for survival. So, embracing that weirdness was an important stepping stone on my way to seizing more self-love, and realizing the importance of certain strong cryptic impulses (the true ones, among so many superfluous desires), in my case to create art. Every one of us, I believe, has a distinct direction, and inexplicable drive to do one thing in particular above anything else. The love of your life, and then all the little love affairs along the way. That's the beauty of it, because in terms of going for our dreams polygamy isn't out of the question, but choosing a favourite is the way to go. The greatest love of all!
I always knew I wanted to be an artist, but I had to hit rock bottom and distill that experience to understand that the only way to actually live was through doing what and being who you love:
1) MAKE IT YOUR MANTRA
Get your head straight, figure out what your goals are, your “I am”s, and fucking get at it! Step by step, reward, step by step, reward. Celebrate the process! Spoil yourself with positive self-speak and you'll be flying on your way in no time.
2) FORGET WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED
Remember, school is not your friend. It's a dealer of bad habits and you're hooked! Follow, listen, repeat. That's not life. You don't need an authority figure to govern your life, it's ok to be your own boss. So, get out sometime, go against the grain, test the open waters. Imagine! You might even like the taste of freedom.
3) BE YOUR OWN CHEERLEADER
Yes, it's cliché, but it's so true. Do what you want, and hold your head high. Because people have their local dogma wherever you go, their should's and shouldn'ts, and they will try to make you follow theirs. It's absurd, but we cling to those rules. But, it's never too late to set your own.
4) DON'T BE BITTER
Sometimes you need an opposing force to find the strength to resist and battle against it. It's never forever. The world is not against you, you’re just trying to make yourself learn. Use your misfortunes, discomforts and shortcomings as sign posts, they often lead the way if you look at them from the right angle.
5) SPREAD THE LOVE
We who strive for realness are a tribe, and this is not an exclusive ride. So go spread them good vibes! Share your gift!
& together let's change things for the better, one little gesture at a time.
Mua!
Lala
