When I entered the 'real world' with a degree in commerce, I never thought I would find myself in the creative industry one day.
It happened after a few ups and downs, and someone took a big risk to give me a book project, giving me the confidence I needed to call myself a ‘writer’.
I started the journey in the creative industry as a transplant with the spirit of surrender.
#1 You are one choice away from a great adventure
After half a year working as a fulltime freelance writer, I was in a constant battle between ‘what I do’, ‘who I am’ and ‘who I want to be’. When the opportunity came, I spent 3 months to self-publish ‘The Art of Owning Your Story’, a book about my life story.
Half a year later, the book project has evolved into a community initiative that involves podcast, publication and community event.
It was a great adventure that started with a single decision to do something scary — self-publishing a book.
#2 Come alive doing what you love
In a recent conversation with a new client, I told him that the project ‘own your story’ is important because I wanted to inspire people to come alive doing what they love.
‘Do what you love’ — it sounds cheesy when I heard myself saying it.
While figuring out a better expression, I realized that it made perfect sense because when I do the one thing that I love, it gives me the energy to attract the right thing and the right people along the way.
#3 Trust the process
It has always been a challenge for me to create a 5 years plan. As a fresh graduate, I didn’t know much about life to draw a grand plan of 5 years.
I’ve explored 3 industries, started 2 ventures and authored a book in the past 5 years, and found myself at the brink of depression once.
This is life. I learned that the best things that changed my life were all unplanned.
It is more important to align my intention with action, doing the right thing and trust that there is a higher force co-creating with me.
#4 Your story becomes your asset once you own it
When I was speaking on the stage during my book launch, one particular moment hit me deeply when I realized that all the pain and struggle I’ve gone through made sense now.
As a creator, I could use my story to help people on their journey. Stories give me an identity, a unique perspective in approaching work and help me to connect with people.
Knowing my story gives me the clarity to say ‘no’ to an opportunity that doesn’t align with my values.
#5 What’s the point of life if you can’t derive joy from what you do?
Being taught to be a high performer my whole life, I learned my truth about the meaning of life when I was depressed while having enough money and a company with my name on it.
Life taught me that the joy of living comes from day to day life, being present, taking time to savour food, connecting with people and spending time in nature. Life promises infinite possibilities when we embrace 'what is' in the present moment with gratitude.
Living with uncertainty
My story in creative industry wouldn’t be complete without the big furry beast called ‘uncertainty’.
Fear and anxieties come with all the unknowns I was stepping into — where I am going, who I am becoming, who I could be.
After two silent meditation courses and reading ‘The Surrender Experiment’, I embraced the truth that I can never outdo the natural force of all creations.
In the creative industry, life showed me that letting loose and leaping into the flow of life is the way to go.
“Always, at the end of the day, the important thing is only and always that: Get back to work. This is a path for the courageous and the faithful. You must find another reason to work, other than the desire for success or recognition. It must come from another place.” — Elizabeth Gilbert
Hi, I am Isabelle, author of ‘The Art of Owning Your Story’, I write about conscious living and personal growth, building a podcast called ‘Own Your Story’. If you enjoy what you read, subscribe to get the latest contents delivered to your mailbox! Thank you 🙂
