I turn 24 today. Oh shit. Where has the time gone?
Honestly, I'm in a great place. I've been such a happy motherfucker lately and I'm really looking forward to what the future has planned for me. Seriously, everything has been going so well and the year has barely begun.
But yes, it's my birthday. My 20's haven't been the kindest to me but it definitely put a fire under my ass and forced me to get shit done. I've been working so hard just to make something of myself and still be stable and independent. And it's getting there ever so surely. There's gotta be one thing or two that I've learned throughout my entire life-span.
LividOvid Studios is still in its start-up phase but I have so much hope for it to become the enterprise I'm dreaming of. To be honest, sometimes I still feel doubt about whether or not all my effort will see fruition and if all my time will go to waste. It's a lot of work and money. And when people ask if they themselves should start a business, I always say no. Running a small business is almost masochistic.
But I'm so passionate that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Create beautiful images and make people feel beautiful. It's fucking exhausting yet so worthwhile.
I mean, I forget that I'm young. I'm sure this is what my crazy manic energy is meant for. If there's anything I hold pride in having it's my unwavering patience. In a different light, I'm sure it can look like stubbornness, which I can't argue with either. So even though I'm in a good place right now, there's still a shit ton of shit I need to do. And I'm okay with that.
The two most important ways of thinking for me since turning 24th have been this:
DO WHAT YOU LOVE. LOVE WHAT YOU DO.
This is so important to me. I love creating art. I love photography. I love running a business. What's the point of living if all the time and work you do doesn't satisfy you intellectually and emotionally? I mean, there's always something mundane or trivial that needs to be done but if you can do in the name of love (lol) then it's justified.
Also, if I'm feeling that pink selfie, then I'm posting that dang selfie. Why? #becauseiloveit
BE SELFISH. TREAT YO SELF.
Who else is going to love you and look out for your own well-being than your own fucking self? I am living my life for me - NOT anybody else's. I've wasted too much time trying to please other people who have no interest in my well-being. I am tired of trying to convince people who have no influence towards me whatsoever why I do what I'm doing. No one should ever feel ashamed of who they are, what their passions are, and why they do what they do.
In the end, those distractions hold you back. And they need to go.
The tone of this blog post isn't meant to be angry or aggressive. But if it hadn't been clear enough, this year is going to be about me. The year of Ovid. Happy Birthday to me.