The stereotypical-reclusive-moody-artist who has always felt like they never quite fit in? Yep, that pretty much sums me up from the time I was a kid until this past spring. That is quite a long time to be on the search for a tribe, for a crew of like-minded people who just get you. All throughout school, at work, and even in my own family, I have always felt like I didn’t quite belong or cut it for the circles of people orbiting all around me. Many times in my desperation to fit in and in my desire to belong, I tweaked my personality, suppressed my interests and passions, essentially changing who I was just so I could manage to squeeze into any small, available space I could find in one of those coveted groups. Sadly enough, this sick game of charades didn’t even end with high school, it has continued to be real life everyday for me with some of my family still and even currently at my job. I just wanted my very own tribe.
I mean, who doesn’t want to find THEIR people? THEIR group? THEIR crew that appreciates him or her for the things that others tend to overlook? A circle of peeps that make you feel instantly at ease and yet can push you out of your comfort zone to reach the highest possible goals? I pretty much gave up on finding said elusive, fantasy crew – I mean, c’mon, I’m nearing 40, and if I haven’t found them now, there’s no way I will find them later. I had resigned to wander around lonely, with no tribe of my own – that is – until I met a certain gal who happens to own a certain marketplace that houses a certain group of the most eclectic artisans I have ever had the privilege of getting to know. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the centerstage and into my life, the eccentric crew of Seaglass Salvage Market.
I won’t lie, I was honestly a little scared about my first market with them in the past spring of this year. I mean geez, it was my first public sharing of my artwork, and my first time working with everyone there. Remember how I said earlier that many long for that circle of people that makes him or her feel instantly at ease? Well, that is what these crazy cats did right from that first day of the market and still do until this day.
I don’t know how to describe knowing that that they were my crew – other than in my soul, I just simply knew.
So, what has finding my tribe meant for me? I have found a group of like-minded individuals who have been important keys in my own journey to finding my creative and life purpose. I have discovered a group of kindred, creative spirits who engage and support me, and have helped me grow tremendously in the short amount of time that I have known them. They have cheered me on and pushed me, which has in turn helped me push myself harder than I ever have in my life. They nourish my soul from the outside, while I am actively working on nourishing my soul from the inside. They have inspired me to push my creative boundaries, and to step confidently out of my safe, introverted, reclusive limits. As I sit here mulling over the past few months, I am honestly amazed at how much I have grown since I have began this journey with this beautiful group of people, and I am truly thankful for that. I know that with my tribe’s wealth of advice, their laughter, their unfailing acceptance of me, and their endless encouragement to be my authentic self, I will only continue to grow in my artistic and life journey.
And on that note my friends, I can say I that I am home. I have found my creative fam, my circle of peeps. I have finally found my soul tribe.
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