Because you are alive, everything is possible

On taking risks and feeling safe doing it

I’ve taken ‘calculated’ risks a number of times before. I have never felt safe doing it. Every important shift or jump I have had in my reality has resulted from a risk I have obsessed over for months, or years, and even though the process has been stressful I have never regretted taking the risk. But when I put that much pressure on ‘calculating’ how the risk will land, I replace my curiosity with fear, and making the decision becomes harder than it has to be.

While I am grateful to myself that I made those jumps, despite paralysing fear, over the past few years I have been keenly aware that what got me here will not get me there. The pressurised decision making that takes everything you’ve got is not sustainable; my body and my mind have made their limits clear.

This time as I have moved into properly setting up my art and coaching business, I am approaching it differently. It is a risk but I am doing it from a place of safety and curiosity - a place that has taken a lot of internal work to create. Of course real barriers exist but so much of how our reality is shaped constitutes of what we believe is available to us. When I am on the bus to my studio, I pass the following graffiti: “Because you are alive, everything is possible”. You are alive. Everything is possible.

As we get older we forget how many paths are still available for us, we get mired in rules that someone created, we give into the shoulds. Believing that everything is possible and available to you is a radical act. Believing that you will be supported when you walk into the forest is a radical act.

As a woman and person of colour I know that this is not the current reality of a lot of folks in my position, but I have experienced how that change is possible and how the world opens up when you cross the threshold from fear of change to curiosity for what’s possible.

How do you build this muscle you ask?

There are two ways I have known to do this - with movement and with creation.

1. Meaningfully integrating movement into your day – walks, runs, yoga, weights, etc – regulates your nervous system and moves your consciousness from your mind to the rest of your body, letting it do the work of thinking for you.

2. A committed practice of creation, in whichever form fits its your world – paints, oils, poems, journalling – grows your ability to make something out of nothing, to transmute energy, to listen to your own instinct.

They sound simple but they are not - because for these to work you have to do them with intention. Inspired action requires intention and attention both - in a world entirely running on numbing, lack, consumerism and busy-ness it takes work to make time for these things.

In other news

I’ve recently been selected as one of the 50 winners for the 2024 open call by The Delphian Gallery. It’s an artist run endeavour and aims to support artists and it’s such an honour to be selected. The group show for winners will take place in mid October at Unit1Gallery in London. Watch this space for more info!

I’m joining a year long art program called Turps Banana. From the day I learnt about them, to the interview, it’s been clear as day that this was an aligned fit for me, so I cannot wait to get started in September.

I’ve also just finally put together my catalogue of available works, if you have questions or are interested in a specific piece, get in touch!

x

sana