This month I started reading a newly released book by Shannon Downey, called “Let’s move the Needle.” I’ve been following Shannon on Instagram for several years. She is an craftivist/activist who expresses her opinions using something women have been doing throughout history; stitching what they think.
Since I was a little girl, I have been drawn to causes, particularly environmental causes. Remember “Ranger Rick” magazine?…yah, I think that’s where it started for me. (Thanks mom for encouraging me with the subscription!). I went to college to be a biologist. I had so many romantic dreams about my grown-up life walking the wooded mountains of the West coast as a park ranger and saving the planet
That the dream didn’t become reality. Life happens that way and I took many paths to get where I am today. I’m comfortable with my life choices.
But back to Shannon, I was struck by something she wrote: “In a capitalist society, we are primed to believe that our primary identity is based on the work we get paid for.“
I don’t know about you, but I have struggled with this…because I believed it to be true. I have dabbled in art my entire life, but I also would say to myself things like “you’re not an artist, you’re not good enough.” There’s no question there were things I could do that were good quality…but calling myself an artist for it felt wrong. I WAS A CRAFTER! and I was ok with that title…until I wasn’t.
Shannon’s quote hit it right on the head. I down-played my skills because I wasn’t getting paid. I wasn’t a “professional”artist, so I felt I couldn’t own the title. Over the years, I learned to accept myself and advocate for other’s that we are artists if we want to be. Shannon affirmed that what I believed was accurate.
We (especially women) are led to think the only title we have is the title we get paid for. However if we want to, we can claim a title if we just enjoy doing something; athlete, dog trainer, musician, artist, teacher, etc. So get out there and do what you love. And, while you’re at it, wear the title with pride.
~Nanette