Your Past Doesn’t Define Your Future!

This was inspired by a member of our community and I want to address it because I see a lot of artists struggling with it.

Which is the mindset that success is easier for others or impossible for you because of your past or current challenges.

Let me share a little of my story, and I hope it resonates.

I grew up with rejection at every turn.

My father was absent.

My mother struggled with alcohol, and at 8 years old, I was sent to a boarding school against my will.

By 19, I was numbing my pain with drugs.

By 21, I was lost, broke, and sleeping on the floor of an empty apartment after failing my dream of becoming a successful photographer.

My self esteem was completely crushed and I felt completely useless and worthless...

After that I started painting and I faced a ton of rejection in my art, too.

People told me their kids, their grandmas, even their dogs, could paint better than I could.

I was shy, terrified, and cried over the smallest challenges, like making a simple phone call at my job.

But here’s the truth: NONE of that defined me.

What changed?

I decided to face my fears.
I committed to healing my traumas, investing healing courses, doing ayahuasca, doing forgiveness meditations and much more since years.
I SHOWED UP every single day, no matter how hard or uncomfortable it felt.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Building a career in art, or anything, takes practice, just like learning a language or mastering your craft.

You’re going to be bad at it in the beginning, and that’s okay. It’s not about being perfect;

it’s about showing up, failing, learning, and improving.

Stop comparing yourself to others.

I didn’t have it easy.

I worked through 12 years of trauma, rejection, and tiny progress.

Success wasn’t handed to me; I earned it step by step.

You don’t know someone else’s struggles, and comparing yourself only wastes time you could spend building your own dream.

Ask yourself: DO YOU REALLY WANT THIS?

If the answer is yes, then you have to accept:

But everything you want is on the other side of fear.

Here’s how to move forward:

Create a compelling vision of who you want to be. Focus on your future self, not your past or present struggles.
Be humble enough to start as a beginner. Let yourself fail, make mistakes, and grow.
Work on your traumas. Healing isn’t optional, it’s part of the journey.
Show up daily. Even small steps will take you to a different place over time.

Yes, it’s hard and that is okay! (the more you do it the easier it gets!)

Business will trigger your fears and insecurities like nothing else (except maybe dating 🤣).

But the hard work is worth it if you stay focused on your vision.

I’m sharing this because I believe in you.

No matter where you’re starting, you can build the life you want.

But it starts with taking full responsibility for your mindset, your healing, and your actions.

So stop letting your past hold you back.

Stop comparing.

Start showing up.

Forgive yourself.

Be kind to yourself.

And keep moving forward, one step at a time.