Sacrifice for art

But don't give up everything

I’ve been told that if I want to make it as a writer, I have to make sacrifices. I have to be willing to cut out friends, hobbies, rest. I have to put in the work, lose sleep, sacrifice it all for the possibility of success. I have to give up things that other people aren’t willing to give up and put my art first. No matter what.

But down this path lies ruin. One day, after I’ve given up everything for the delusions of grandeur hustle culture tries to sell, I’ll wake to find my world drained of vibrant color and joy. I’ll wake a dried husk of a person, having worked myself to death to try and stay relevant.

The longer I make art, the less I care about relevance or going viral or what’s trending. I want to chase my whimsy, make meaning from these moments, capture an essence, slow time. I want to grow.

So in the spirit of building a sustainable creative life, here are things I’m no longer willing to sacrifice on the altar of art:

• early morning summer walks when the roads are quiet and the bunny rabbits are colluding

• late evening walks when the sunset burns pink and my husband holds my hand

• making a farro salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, spinach, olives, white beans, zucchini, and a slice of homemade bread

• saving money for my future

• weekend adventures in the mountains chasing wildflowers

• curling up under a blanket with a book that makes me connect more deeply with my own humanity

• watching snow drift past my window

• sipping tea as rain dances on the roof

• falling asleep beside the person I love

• laughing until I cry

• listening to my friends tell me stories about their lives

• making plans with my favorite people

• calling someone I miss

• experimenting with new forms of art and storytelling

• going to the doctor

• learning how to be a better partner and person in the world

Don’t worry. There is plenty left to sacrifice, plenty of things I don’t even need and rarely want, and so here is what I will be cutting out of my life to make space for art:

• making content for the sake of making content

• scrolling social media

• worrying about the future

• reading books I don’t enjoy

• staying up late without a plan

• drinking just to feel numb

• negative self-talk

• trying to keep up with the Joneses

• spinning my wheels to make the whole world happy

• binge watching television shows

• judging my art

• chasing trends

• setting unhealthy goals

• comparing myself to other people

• feeling guilty when I decide that today is a good day to do nothing

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What sacrifices are you willing to make for your art? What won’t you give up?

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