26 Comments
User's avatar
Allyson Skye's avatar

"To attract the jobs you want, start by making the art you love."

Thank you. I didn't know I needed this today.

Expand full comment
Chiara Celini's avatar

Aww Allyson I’m so glad my silly musings could help in some way 🧡

Expand full comment
Noelle Sunday's avatar

YES came here to say this as well! Simple yet powerful, I'm obsessed.

Expand full comment
Chiara Celini's avatar

Ohhh thank you Noelle!!! So glad you could resonate! X

Expand full comment
Sarah Allen's avatar

Definitely needed this! I think this is true for writing too.

Expand full comment
Chiara Celini's avatar

Aww! Glad my silly musings resonate! Oh my gosh I bet! I adore writing, but I can only imagine the similar creative blocks and pressure you feel when that’s your profession! Who knows maybe our paths will align with future projects ✨❤️

Expand full comment
Sarah Allen's avatar

Yes! That would be amazing!

Expand full comment
digitaltissue's avatar

Making art for yourself along the way is really eye opening. It is the practice I missed out on! Thank you. ☺️

Expand full comment
Chiara Celini's avatar

Aw thank you for your comment! I’m glad my musings could help in some way x

Expand full comment
Silvana's avatar

Oh wow, this speaks to me so deeply. I’ve been freelancing for years too, and still have those “am I doing this right?” moments more often than I’d like to admit. It’s oddly comforting to know I’m not the only one building a creative career on a mix of instinct, joy, and (let’s be honest) mild chaos.

Your words about the ambiguous blobs and messy layers really hit home — I often describe my creative process (and career) as a beautiful mess in motion. And yes yes yes to making the work you actually want to be hired for. I’ve noticed the same: the joy-driven stuff is what resonates most and ends up opening doors.

Thanks for sharing this — it’s the kind of reminder I didn’t know I needed today. 🥰

Expand full comment
Chiara Celini's avatar

Heyyyy Silvana!

Wow I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you sharing your experience in this much depth! I really really love connecting with fellow creatives so thank you for being here!

And yes - mild chaos sums it up perfectly!

I’m so glad you could resonate with my messy musings! Keep going lovely soul xxx

Expand full comment
Amanda Fiore's avatar

This is great!

Expand full comment
Chiara Celini's avatar

Aw thank you Amanda xxxx

Expand full comment
Sumao Dutta's avatar

No you are not alone. As someone who did my rounds in freelance web and graphic design jobs I definitely connect to this.

I am also finally at the point where I am creating art / design just for myself for the sheer joy of it.

Expand full comment
Chiara Celini's avatar

Ahhh I love to hear this! I always adore hearing people’s creative journey evolution 🧡🧡🧡

Expand full comment
Alaine  Domina's avatar

Bravo mentality .. 🌷

Expand full comment
Chiara Celini's avatar

Thank youuuu 🤍🫶🏽✨

Expand full comment
kiara thompson's avatar

First off gorgeous work!! 🩷Wow! And your words are so beautiful! Definitely needed to hear some of this! Thanks you🥺🩷

Expand full comment
Chiara Celini's avatar

Awww this is the most wholesome comment!!!! Thank you Kiara xxx

Expand full comment
kiara thompson's avatar

Nooo thank you for being here! I'm so glad I found your substack 🩷🥺🩷🫶🏾

Expand full comment
Bougie Hippie's avatar

The only place I'm truly happy is in a creative zone, or to get lost in someone else's masterpiece.

"The layers, the mess, the ambiguous blobs..." love this line.

Expand full comment
Chiara Celini's avatar

Yes to thiiis! I’ve noticed recently it’s really the only time I’m fully fullyyyy present!

Thank you for sharing your experience ❤️✨

Expand full comment
Liz Barney's avatar

Love all this - thank you for sharing! <3

Expand full comment
Chiara Celini's avatar

Aw thank you so so much ❤️❤️❤️

Expand full comment
Sarah Pope's avatar

I absolutely resonate with this perspective! It beautifully aligns with the importance of documenting the journey of building a business. By tracking our revenue and celebrating those small wins along the way, we shift our focus from merely chasing end results to truly enjoying the process. This mindset allows us to stay present and appreciate each achievement, no matter how small, which ultimately creates a positive feedback loop for more success.

Energy flows where attention goes, and by acknowledging our progress, we cultivate an environment ripe for creativity and growth. Every step forward, no matter how minor, deserves recognition and fuels our motivation to keep creating.

Expand full comment
Chiara Celini's avatar

Yes yes yes to all this!!!!

It’s definitely a work in progress with this mindset which is a real shame we have to almost work backwards from societal expectations to move forwards in self appreciation! I’m so glad you could resonate with this post annnnd share your beautiful interpretation of it, thank you so much Sarah! ✨🧡

Expand full comment