“Betting on an employer instead of yourself is playing the odds for disappointment.”
—Ryan Nicodemus
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The Essential Creative Life
Every artist has a unique story
By Jen Ditchik
I wake up slowly every day as if it’s a fresh start.
I greet my sentient beings with love and acknowledgment. I walk for thirty minutes, moving and honoring my body feeling grateful for the beauty it brings me. I meditate for twenty minutes focusing on my breath, letting the thoughts be separate from my soul. I live in a simple, warm space.
I often see the world through a camera. I consider myself a conceptual artist that uses photography and mixed media to create. My art, work, and lifestyle reflect my fascination with intuition, color, and movement as a personal narrative.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I was always curious and fascinated by creativity and self-expression—often exploring different mediums. I’m an introvert and an HSP (highly sensitive person), so the ability to create has been my savior in many ways.
I’m a seeker of spirit and knowledge. I love reading about people and different ways of living and learning.
I have been a Minimalist for the past few years. As there are many flavors of this lifestyle, my focus is a living an intentional life, focusing on my core values: health, relationships, passion, growth, and contribution.
I graduated with a degree in Communications with an emphasis on Radio, TV, & Film. After graduation, I developed a love for media and commercial production. Wanting to incorporate my passion for the creative process into my career, I began to explore the world of creative advertising.
Eventually, I switched my focus to theatrical marketing and print production where I have been able to connect the dots.
Currently, I am head of a global marketing operations team at a movie studio where I get to direct all aspects systems and content deliverables.
What I am most passionate about is inspiring others. Whether that be via my art, self-expression, the way I lead my team, or interact with the barista at Coffee Bean. The best part about my day is making someone smile or encouraging them to live their best life.
I recently started to step away from social media and have I felt more inspired after taking a break from these digital mediums. There’s a beautiful thing that happens when we allow ourselves to be bored… some of our best ideas come from solitude.
I started shooting with a 35mm last year. There’s something magical to me about analog—holding the camera, the weight of it, the anticipation of developing the negative.
My work is rewarding and challenging.
I spend my days showing up for my job, leading my team from a place of love and mentorship. I welcome the challenges and learn from all around me.
I end my day’s softly shutting down from the day. Reconnecting with my cats, meditating, and taking a hot bath before bed. I note three things I am grateful for that happened that day then go to bed.
What do you think about the conditions for artists today?
We’re all creative!
How one lives their life is an art—not just being able to paint, take a photograph, write a song, or write a novel. So live intentionally, beautifully, and don’t be afraid to call yourself an artist.
My Minimalist Mindset
Embracing defiance in the face of modern non-essentials
By Dara Zycherman
I don’t wear deodorant. I don’t use shampoo. I use a bidet. I don’t wear foundation or blush. I do many ‘out of step’ things according to mainstream culture. Few are obvious if you met me, and none stem from rebellion. They’ve all arisen from an innocent curiosity and subsequent questioning of the status quo. Then they were followed by an excitement to try a new approach and an honest assessment before deciding to implement a lifestyle change.
My version of minimalism is not just about having few things or staying organized. Minimalism is a mindset, with the physical and structural aspects of my life are simply a natural outcome.
My mindset began forming during my early adolescence, as everything felt (and still very much feels) like an imposition. It’s the uninvited way the world is telling me who to be, how to act, what to have, and what to do. My core beliefs revere freedom, which include determining what I want without weight given to social realities or norms. The subtler norms that come through advertising and our in/out group focused culture are particularly pesky. With minimalism, I can’t be bothered.
While many view me as disciplined and controlled, it’s really that my mindset likes to play a game: at all times, figure out how to do the least and accomplish the most of what I want to do. I’d rather give up an exciting time to do something more impactful in my life so that the next time spontaneity comes by, I can jump to answer its invitation—perhaps with more money and energy. My mind is a trade offs calculator and consideration of the hedonic treadmill is implicit in my every move. In the end, all I want is to have fun, learn, be creative, take the sometimes more time-consuming sustainability action, relax, to just be, and reset. It’s not an overstatement that time is my most valuable commodity.
I get questioned a lot. I see a lot of scrunched up faces. Not because I smell bad (I promise), but because it’s strange for others to watch someone do something that has always been presented as a have-to. I’ve learned that people see your contrarian actions as an affront to their way of life, even if that’s not your care or concern. It started at seventeen when I became a vegetarian (it was less cool over twenty years ago), stopped drinking alcohol completely (still not cool), and adopted the aforementioned bathroom practices (might never be cool).
When you live an alternative lifestyle, quietly and happily, I’ve noticed that people start to catch on. Some of the unasked-for defences of why they don’t make similar changes slowly turn into questions, then understanding, and then occasionally, change.
Minimalism is my mindset, but it isn’t just for me. It is an example and textbook for others to flip through, read, and possibly adopt when ready. Minimalism is not static, it’s constant action, just like balance. My questioning and research never ceases, and I’m always adjusting. This reinforces my awareness of the world and myself, allowing me to let go of the scrunched-up faces and dismissals because I know there may be change on the other side.
A Little More of Less
A few other articles we think you might enjoy…
The Most Recent Thing Decluttered by The Minimalists
Moving Through the Day with More Ease by Leo Babauta
How to Use the Enneagram for Personal Growth by Joshua Hook
Are any of your friends interested in minimalism or living simply?
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Dara, thank you for this post. I relate to this thought process more than any other I've read in the Mindful Moments essays. It is nice to see the minds of others slowly realize the value of a life questioned. Sometimes though it feels good to know you are not alone in the way you approach life.