This was a strange day.
For just a moment,
it felt like Spring finally decided
to make its appearance in the long, sunny week
before the thickest blanket of
fog covered the village yet again.
I notice how days grow longer, minute by minute,
and this time in January,
every single moment of light counts.
And I appreciate
even the slightest shifts in daylight.
A very thoughtful viewer told me,
January is for reflection.
We have to be patient with it.
And that's what I've been trying to teach myself.
Patience
Find beauty and magic in every detail.
Even when sunshine gets enveloped by fog again
and we seem to enter another phase of winter
after promises of spring.
I have recently received a comment
questioning the uniqueness of my videos,
telling me in fact,
that I'm just another copy of copies.
I thought this was an interesting subject
to ponder about.
For many years I've lived my life trying to be unique,
and in that desire I did nothing
but chase the idea without any real accomplishments.
Comparisons stopped me from doing what I love
as why do anything at all
If there is a chance
that somebody else might have done it.
So I did nothing.
I waited for that unique idea.
Inspiration. Motivation.
Essentially not creating anything at all.
Each time I thought I had an original thought,
I found that someone else has said it better.
Or discovered a new, beautiful, unique place,
only to see someone else
post pictures from it on social media.
Someone else always spoke the same language,
shared the same culture, loved the same things.
I felt unworthy.
My terrible discovery was that
there are so many people who think
and feel the same way I do,
and it was difficult to come to terms
with one simple thought.
I am indeed not unique,
and this was the most liberating thought I had in
a long time.
It is a heartbreaking realization to come to at start.
Not going to lie
In this world where everything
and anything is available at the tip of your fingers
where you can search, consume,
absorb information, content, art,
knowledge in seconds.
The world
where every single idea has been done and said before
by multiple people multiple times,
and yet we put this pressure
on ourselves to be unique
instead of simply creating what we love.
We ask for originality
as if originality is something easily produced.
We want to be unique in the world
with billions of people
all living their life
in a society that largely depends on each other.
We demand it of others
from musicians, actors,
creators, scientists, fashion designers.
Do a new thing, show us something exciting,
make our emotions dance and sing like never before.
And we get disappointed when we hear the same
seven notes and the melody
Ah, to be unique.
That would be wonderful, wouldn't it?
I am not unique.
In fact, I am one of billions, a regular human,
living a regular life.
I have the same struggles, the same aspirations
and same feelings as anyone.
Perhaps I don't want to be unique at all.
But I'd rather do what I love
and stay creative than do nothing
in fears of not being unique or being judged for it.
I'd rather be myself
enjoy things which somebody else might enjoy with me
if that is what I truly love.
I'd rather find kindred spirits.
I'd rather be grounded than high up outside reach
I'd rather provide solace to someone who needs it
in this world
of constant chase for success and originality.
I'd rather offer you a peaceful,
relatable, calming space
than the fuel for new anxieties.
I don't want to be unique,
wait, worry and make nothing
but rather put all my heart into everything I love
right this moment. Grow, learn, live and stay human.
I hope you find strength in
yourself to go for what you've always wanted,
even if you're afraid.
Even if someone did it better.
Even if someone told you that you're not original.
I hope you do it with love.
That's the only thing that matters.
I hope you do it even if it's too late,
too early,
You're too old, too young, too boring, too anxious.
And I hope in doing so, it brings you joy.
An outlet for expression, a feeling of safety.
After all, no matter how many times
it's been done before, it hasn't been done by you.
And that's reason enough to do it.