Kiara Shanay Lee
Disclaimer: This article is not saying you NEED to have these types of friends – or friends at all – to be a successful, fulfilled creative. Speaking from my experience, some of the motivation, wisdom and morale-boosting I have needed along the way in my journey have come from friends and family. After reflecting on this, I have been able to put it into words and into perspective so you can hopefully apply it to your journey.
Without further ado, here are the 4 friends I feel that every creative needs.
- The Soul Friend | The friend who knows the heart and soul of your artistry.
This friend deeply respects the artist in you and your purpose for your art. When you stray away from your why, the soul friend is the first one to call you out. When life makes you feel like you have to abandon the artist in you, the soul friend will reunite you both with their words, their friendship and their encouragement. The soul friend knows your heart and your passion well; every time you talk to them or spend time with them, it feels like a warm cup of tea.
- The Put-Together Friend | The friend who can advise you on your future from their experience.
The put together friend is, in some way, where you want to be in the months and years to come. They may not necessarily be a creative like you, but they are enlightened in some area you want and need to develop further to support your creative life in some way (i.e. finances, business, etc.). You can learn so much from the put-together friend and their life can serve as your motivation. In many ways, the put-together friend is the blueprint for success and sustainability.
- The Hype Friend | The friend who reminds you of the value of your work, gets excited about your work – and gets you excited about it.
When I told my best friend over dinner that I wanted to create The House of Psalm Magazine, I was reluctant, but her confidence in me was resolute. She didn’t just tell me it was a great idea, she made me feel like an online magazine was a non-negotiable. She showed me why an online magazine would be so fitting for me. She acknowledged my overall vision and made me feel like more than just a crazy creative. The hype friend is like your confidence reserve; they can empower you like no other, especially when you can’t do it for yourself.
- The Dreamer Friend | The friend who believes in your wildest aspirations and, like an architect, helps you envision and helps you build out those possibilities.
Although this may sound similar to the hype friend, the dreamer friend does more than empower – they build with you. When God gives you groundbreaking ideas at 3 AM, they’re helping you plan out how to turn your ideas into reality by noon. For the dreamer friend, nothing is ever too much; in fact, the crazier the ideas, the better because the dreamer friend understands the importance of dreaming big and the reality of ‘seeing is believing.
I hope you let these friends (or these aspects of your journey) feed you.
The creative journey is a complex one and you need the proper nourishment to properly support and sustain your hunger to create.
Whether you’re a writer, a painter, an actress, or if you don’t consider any fancy titles for yourself – you are a creative. No matter who you are, to some degree, we all create and we all need space to take care of every part of ourselves. I hope The House of Psalm Magazine inspires you to take good care.
Dr. Kiara Shanay Lee | Editor in Chief, The House of Psalm Magazine
IG: @thehouseofpsalm @kiaraleewrites | kiara@thehouseofpsalm.com
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