Hello and happy Friday!
Thanks so much to anyone who’s back for more and welcome to everyone here for the first time. This is my space for sharing, of photographs or music and thoughts on life as a creative freelancer.
It’s a slow-down from social media, a chance to go a little deeper, share honestly and openly about how and why I do the work that I do.
This week I’m diving into some of the browser tabs that have been open for months, and thinking a bit about the Japanese idea of ‘ikigai’.
Thanks so much for being here.
Ikigai
Early this year, when the festivities quieted and routine returned, I was reflecting on the work I have done and the work I do. It’s not unusual for me to feel like I’m in a constant state of flux with work. I try to always look forward, to not stop learning, to keep improving.
Thinking about what I wanted to do differently, and where I wanted to go, I was stumped. I didn’t have an answer. There’s always more to learn and avenues to explore but the big picture was a blur.
Some reading and chat led me to this TED Talk called ‘How To Ikigai’.
This is what I’d been looking for.
The Reason
Ikigai, on a basic level, means finding your reason.
It’s the point where 4 key elements of life overlap:
What are you good at?
What do you love?
What can you be paid for?
What does the world need?
Reflecting on this made me feel incredibly lucky that I’m in a place where I’ve already connected some of those dots.
I’ve found something I’m relatively good at, and I genuinely love doing. Sometimes I can even convince people to pay me for doing it. There are tricky parts of the job which make it easy to take all this for granted so the reality check is welcome.
But, it’s Friday which must mean another existential crisis must be just around the corner.
The missing fourth element, ‘what the world needs’. That’s a spanner in the works.
All creative outlets have some form of ego attached. We’re putting ourselves into our work and putting that work out to the world. There’s an implied assumption that it deserves a place in front of some eyes.
Maybe some artists are making work and burning it before it’s shown. But there aren’t many as pure as that. I think it’s fair to assume that most people have a desire for people to see their work, for that work to be deemed worthy of some thing. Austin Kleon has a great book that touches on some of this called Show Your Work. Strong recommendation for one to keep on your desk.
What I realised is that I want to make a shift, to produce work with more worth. Not necessarily financial worth to me (though all wealthy benefactors will be accommodated) but some worth that transcends the release of the shutter button.
What can I do that will be useful? Part of this again feels like an ego trap, but I think some ambition to do good work, beyond ourselves is a good place to start.
I don’t think I have firm answers to that question yet. But some ongoing thoughts
I want (need?) to spend more time outdoors.
I want to make the most of this incredible country on my doorstep and see new places.
I want to pursue work in the green/renewables space.
And work with organisations to promote positive mental health. I’m writing in the midst of ‘Suicide Prevention Month’ which is heartbreaking in it’s necessity.
I’ve taken some steps towards answering the question and working on progressing this year, but it’s small steps on a long road. The only thing is to keep marching, keep course correcting and trust that the journey will take me in the direction I want to go, destination always unknown!
There are so many excellent articles online that tell a full story of Ikigai. This is good explainer if you want to dive into the background and meaning of the concept and philosophy. I couldn’t begin to think about replicating the knowledge and research that has gone into those. This book is also great if you’re interested in a little more.
A Share
I really enjoyed Oliver Burkman’s book Four Thousand Weeks last year, and this is an interesting chat. Big subjects!
Since Last Time
I spent a wild windy day in Glen Coe on a fun shoot (some out take landscape grabs in this post), and I’m trying to get passed my phobia of speaking on the internet. It feels a bit unnatural to introverted me who much prefers a face to face interaction.
I visited the opening of the Scottish Portrait Awards 2024 where my photograph of The Lafontaines (which I wrote about before) features in the exhibition. Open in the Scottish Arts Club in Edinburgh until the end of the month. The range and quality of the work is genuinely astounding, try and visit if you can. And congrats to the very deserving award winners Jennifer Charlton & Kayhan Jafar-Shaghaghi.
Do you have a friend who would like getting some photo chat every now and then? I’d love if you shared this with them.
Until next time…