There’s a quiet shift that happens when you realize you’re no longer in your twenties. I felt it since my 30th birthday—this subtle, yet undeniable transition into a new phase of life. I was determined not to let turning 30 define me, but here’s the thing: I’m starting to grow fond of the changes in the landscape.
Conversations with friends feel easier now. The drama that once seemed so urgent has faded, making room for deeper, more meaningful connections. People have made their choices—their careers, their relationships, their paths—and instead of wondering who might drift away next, there’s a sense of knowing. Yes, people still move in and out of our lives, but now it feels like part of the natural rhythm, not a sudden, jarring shift. And that itch? The one that made me feel like I had to leave before anyone else did? It’s gone.
There’s a calm now, and a kind of bravery in building a home right where I am.
Letting go of old ways
Along with this personal growth, I’ve noticed something shifting in my creative life, too. For the longest time, I tried to be a marketeer first and an artist second. It made sense—marketing teaches you to start with your ideal client, understand their needs, craft a solution, and sell it. Simple, right? But art isn’t simple.
Art doesn’t start with the customer. It starts with something deep inside—a feeling, a struggle, an emotion that needs to find its way out. I realized that all my attempts to shape my art around what I thought people wanted were actually blocking my creative flow. I spent so much time drafting business plans, brainstorming products I thought would sell, but none of them ever saw the light of day. Why? Because they didn’t come from the heart.
Creating from within
So, I’m letting go. I’m releasing the need to create for an audience I’ve imagined in my head and instead, I’m focusing on what lives within me. What matters to me as an artist. The themes, emotions, and stories that feel authentic and true. Because that’s where the magic happens—when you create from a place of vulnerability and honesty, you naturally attract the people who resonate with your work.
Art isn’t about tailoring a product to fit a market; it’s about expressing something real and finding the people who feel seen through your work. So, I’m done chasing what I think might sell. Instead, I’m dedicating my time and energy to creating what feels meaningful to me. And in doing so, I hope to find you—the ones who connect with these pieces, who see themselves in the emotions and themes I explore.
The joy of letting go
There’s a surprising freedom in this shift. Just like stepping into this new phase of life, embracing the changes in my art feels liberating. Letting go of old expectations—whether it’s how I thought life should look at 30, or how I believed I needed to market my art—has made space for something new, something more authentic.
I wonder, have you felt a similar shift in your life or creative journey? What have you let go of to make room for growth?
Let’s continue to embrace these changes together, finding beauty in the process of becoming—both in life and in art.