Role Model(s)

So, having a role model or mentor in your life is super important in my opinion. This is someone you can look up to and learn valuable lessons from in life. But here's the deal, there is a right way and wrong way to have role models...

Back when I was in my late teens/early 20's I had a bunch of role models, especially when I started getting into the art and photography scene. Most of the guys I looked up to were older than me and seemed to be living the life; partying, getting girls, dressing "cool" and showing off their artwork on social media platforms. For years I tried being just like these guys and wanted to be "as cool" as them.

Fast forward to when I was 23 years old... I started to really find out who I was as a person. I found my own style to create and follow. I started to realize that these guys that I looked up to for so many years were still in the same boat that they were when I first started following and trying to be like them. It made me realize that they were just bums that I thought were cool at the time, but now that I felt my art had surpassed theirs I had no reason to look up to them anymore. I put them on a pedestal for so many years thinking that these kids were what/who I wanted to be in life.

After realizing that these people I used to think were so cool and living the life, were actually just bums, I decided I would never look up to anyone else in the art scene and I would be my own role model. Well this worked for a few years because I really got into my own style and found myself within my own photography, but I realized I wasn't growing anymore. I wasn't pushing myself to become better because I thought I was the best out there. I was literally just stranded in one place with my art and no where to go.

I'm 26 now and I have a ton of people that inspire me everyday. I also have a small circle of people that I really look up to, but this time it's different. I found people that have similar art styles as mine that I love and I think are way better than me. This isn't to put myself down and think damn I'm not as good as them, but to look at their artwork and think how I can do stuff different with my work to tweak it slightly and become better... to grow!

I'm going to leave you with this, always have someone to look up to, to inspire to be like, to help you grow, but NEVER put them on a pedestal and think that they're a god and you'll never be like them or they're the "coolest" person in the world or on the internet. I've learned there's a balance between worshiping someone and thinking that you're perfect and no one can touch you. Find people in this world that have the same mind set as you and will help you grow. Even if you don't personally know them, find someone to look up to and try reaching out to them, it never hurts to try.