My mind is still reeling from my experience this past weekend at the Gather Workshop. There is such value in meeting with people - not just people - “your people.” In the digital world, it’s easy to feel lonely. We’re all just one screen separate. With the world at our fingertips, there are still things you can only learn from spending time in your community. The things that resonated with me most were the stories. Stories that don’t fit in a tweet or an action step plan.
Being in community with your people humanizes the success you see everywhere.
There were five things that really impacted me:
I learned that you can make shitty decisions “take risks” and still be good. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes,” has become one of those things that is said so often, that know one really takes it to heart. It is so refreshing to hear from someone who’s made the kinds of mistakes that are extra scary. It’s nice to see that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to risk taking.
I learned that if it’s not you, don’t do it. If you don’t like it. Don’t worry about it. I actually just unfollowed like 40 people on instagram because either they weren’t really that inspiring to me or their work made me feel bad. I had the realization that I am in charge of what I consume, and if it’s not good for me, let it go. I don’t need to be the most connected person on the planet - I just need to produce really good work and let that speak for me in places I can’t.
I finally learned what to call, the “dark night of the soul” moment when everything you’ve ever done feels like the worst thing ever. I learned that other people have those moments, and those moments maybe don’t just last one night, but maybe a whole year. But again, I learned that there is a light at the end of that tunnel too.
I learned that you have to earn your place with a “hustle season.” Nothing will come easy, and you almost need all those dark nights, the failures, and the hustle season to make a good foundation for your creative life.
I learned that I am not alone in anything, though I sometimes feel lonely in everything. I’m not the first person to ever feel this way. I’ve been working as a community manager for a while, but I think I just discovered what true community is.
A big thanks to the amazing Mattie Tiegreen and Katie Bryant for putting this workshop together. A big hug to Britt Bass for hosting us. A big shoutout and highfive to the speakers. Also, so much love to Lauren Carnes + Katie Bryant who took my new headshots!