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“After all, we create because we love the act, itself; as long as you are enjoying yourself, you’re doing it right.” I couldn’t agree more. My own story fits right in here. Thanks for sharing.

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Thanks for this, Gary - glad to know it's familiar to you. You're certainly not alone, here!

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"Do your work, daily, with the intention of getting better, and set small goals". Sometimes it feels like I have to think of how to do better to improve but it really is about doing the work consistently. Thank you for the reminders!

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Social media makes it REALLY hard for us to do this because we feel like we need to constantly be checking in on what others are doing or telling everybody what WE are doing. It's exhausting, but we can reprogram ourselves ...

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It's never TOO late to get started with what we want to do and accomplish, but the only thing is we should NOT compare our progress with others, as they may be innately gifted!

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Yes, true, true!

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So true! Step by step is the key. The world we live in, in every aspect of life, pushes us to do the things we love quickly. It's and idea that's not healthy. I will enoy the path wherever it takes me.

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You're doing it right, Marc!

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I'm going into my late 60's...and proud of it! I've been in computer/digital design for the past 20 years or so. I mainly do it as a joy-filled hobby. I do create designs/photography/photo manipulation, as well as photo restoration because it brings me and others joy! Kyle I SO enjoy learning from you and your many tuts! Thank you SO much for all you do!

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a few years ago I was in a really rough place, feeling rejected and all the other things you wrote about here.

I went to the SAM’s Andrew Wyeth show. at the front they had displayed an early one of his watercolor paintings from his 20s.

I overheard the people next to me, an older couple, saying about it: “it’s good, but he clearly didn’t hit his stride yet”.

Which was what I needed to hear at that moment... someone saying about someone as amazing as Andrew Wyeth, that he *grew into it*, made me realize that it’s ok.

Your essay here is very important to put things in perspective, and a reminder that comparing oneself to the 0.001% like James Jean is never helpful!

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Hi, Eleanor - yes, it's so hard for us to imagine the 'greats' not being so great at one point in their lives and needing time to get better and become the artists we now know them to be. It's important to see evidence of their progression, for sure.

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