Joe Human. Being in Lockdown Really Exposed How, as Humans, We Thrive in Connecting.

I’m a sole believer in people constantly reaching different levels of consciousness. This year might have further affirmed this belief. We got to be lonely but not alone. We came to face our thoughts, fears, visions and demons.

A lot of us used social media as a coping mechanism. Being in lockdown really exposed how, as humans, we thrive in connecting.

Throughout this lockdown, my creativity had become the only part of me that was most challenged. I questioned myself a lot. I spent a lot of time looking at what everyone around me was creating, learning and trying to understand what this phase meant for me and creators at large. At some point I felt like I was left behind; I felt like my voice wasn’t relevant. I doubted myself and my ability to craft work that is valuable. Of course, it didn’t really help that for a couple of months Twitter became a really toxic space for me. I reached a point where I completely wanted to remove myself and almost relapsed into a depressive state.

I’ve had to remind myself that I’m not perfect. This was difficult because I have very strong ideals of how brands should be built, how work should be put out and what people should perceive of these brands. I had almost forgotten that nothing is ever perfect. We are bound to make mistakes; and the beauty in that is learning, taking accountability and truly growing form it. Even through this tough phase, my purpose has always remained intact. However, it was transitioning into something different; I’ve always been known as the “brand guy” that’s how I’ve built my audience in the last couple of years. For those who follow me, I believe their reasons were very clear, it was based on the insight I give out and the content I create… but, throughout the lockdown, that wasn’t me any more, I still hold the insights, but that’s not what I want to talk about anymore and this change is scary because I’m afraid of losing the narrative I’ve worked so hard to build.

It came down to, “Do I want to keep putting out work that I’ve always been known for and risk loosing an audience?” or “Do I create work that resonates with who I am right now?” The transition from sharing what people expect to hear and what you want them to hear has been scary. The fact that l’ve not fully grasped the visual language is the hardest because a lot has changed. I now have to communicate what I believe, what I feel, what I think and wish to say visually.

The path right now is clear,  the universe listens and her power to respond is always timely. I’ve had to shut down the noise and the pressure around me to create and remain “relevant” because I am not in competition, I am crafting my own lane, I am creating my own voice and there will ever only be one of me.

via Joe Human