A while back, I listened to a podcast between Steven Bartlett and Trevor Noah. They were talking about finding the right friendships – friendships that inspire you to move forward and challenge yourself. Even if these people are doing something entirely different than you are, you can’t stand still if everyone around you is moving and shaking.
I don’t know why but this ideally really stuck with me. Maybe I do, maybe I feel stuck. I feel like I don’t challenge myself or that I choose a life that doesn’t require me to push myself. I am entirely content with going through Netflix, rewatching the same series over and over again instead of writing, dreaming, reading, going for my dreams. So, I feel like I need an inspiration. And I loved the idea of finding inspiration among your friends. Among people that you spend your days and who actually know you. And I have some special ones.
A cousin who always reinvents herself
I have a magnificent cousin – she is brave, wise beyond her years and constantly reinventing herself. I have to say, when we were kids, I was a prick to her. Obviously, I didn’t know that I was but looking back… I wish I was kinder. Because guess what – she was a baby cousin and I felt as if I was too old to deal with babies. But years passed, we grew up and I got to know her as an actual human instead of a label of a baby cousin. And as I said – she is fantastic. She is still in her twenties and already tried to build her business if not two. She constantly reinvents herself and continuously builds new skills. She struggles and yet she still pushes on. She is creative and lives with curiosity of a five year old in the best possible sense. From little butterflies to books about micro-organisms and tarot cards – all of it spark her interest because it’s part of the world. She is the essence of the childhood curiosity dipped in the bravery of knowing or being herself.
A friend who hides the artist in him
It’s more of my husband’s friend but the guy is still amazing, nonetheless. He came from nothing, went into arts, changed his profession entirely, and now he is getting back into it. He is a bit skittish, a bit shy. I don’t even think he would call himself an artist. And yet, he is drawing. One line at a time, one picture at a time. And yes, I am biased but he is ducking amazing.
On the one hand, his drawings are simple, with few colors or lines and yet they are colorful, full of life and playfulness. They make you smile and remind you of the kid inside.
He might have voices in his head saying bullshit. But he doesn’t stop. And I have to say, I am a proud owner of one of his illustrations. And I hope I will be able to send a few of them as Christmas cards. His art has the joy that is so rare these days. And his resilience inspires me to do better. To push m
A friend who changed her mind
And the last story for today is a friend who changed her mind. I have been friends with her for nearly a decade now. I have witnessed her changing her career not once but a few times and, even more importantly, changing her mind about motherhood. And I have a chance to see her changing her mind yet again – she is coming back to a profession that she said she would never come back. Nonetheless, she is dipping her feet and she is already flourishing. While it might be scary, it’s not the fear that is stopping her but rather the misunderstanding of her power. There is nothing more gracious, more beautiful than watching a woman realize her power, to spread her wings. And I can only watch in awe and cheer her on. I know she will do great; I just don’t know what greatness will look like in her world or another decade but I couldn’t be more excited to watch that unfold.
As I was writing it, I realized that all three stories have one thing in common – all of them are moving forward even if it is scary. All of them are unabashedly themselves. And they are constantly choosing to tap into their passions and simply go for it. It might be at different speeds or with varying levels of support but they are still ploughing through and leaving their mark. And I am grateful for having them in my life and being able to observe their journeys. These are the stories that push me forward even if I move significantly slower than I wish. Their passion is inspiring me to find mine and ask the tough questions. Even if I don’t know in which direction I should look. But because of them, I am still looking.
Are you?
Life in Analog 