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Monday, August 26, 2013

Sound Advice

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Wearing:

Asos eyelet crop top
DIY shorts (from Ralph Lauren pants)
Topshop 2 Part Geek sandals
Mac "Party Parrot" lipstick
Purse from Barney's
Vintage and/or gifted jewelry

A year ago, a friend of mine convinced me to move out of state or to a bigger city.  She encouraged me to move because she had recently decided to move out of state herself.  "Small town, small minds," she told me. 
At the time I was going through an huge transition in my life.  I felt like I finally knew what I wanted to do with my life.  I had a plan.  A plan, that is...until I heard her advice.  We talked for about an hour about why it was a bad idea to live in this small town we both called home.  I found myself getting carried away and even began to daydream about where exactly I'd move to and when.  Then my well-meaning friend advised me to seek a job in a different field.  It was still within the giant umbrella of the art world, but so completely different than what I know I was meant to do.  Instead of painting and drawing by hand and computer and working for myself, I "could be making big bucks working for Lucas or Pixar" by doing "animation or whatever."  

Something I swore to myself I would never do as an artist was to work corporate.  I won't go into the boring details of working independently vs. corporately.  But I'll just keep it simple by saying that your artwork will no longer be your artwork if you work for a corporation.  I may eventually cave in in the future.  But for now (while I still can) I want to remain independent.  Besides, I love my little town.  I would not mind moving at all.  But for now this is the place I have chosen to live at.

Secondly, animation is not my field.  People who aren't familiar with the art world don't necessarily know the difference between good ol' fashioned art and animation.  But there is a huge difference.

Anyway...there is a point to all this, I promise.  Just bear with me.  

That entire conversation had my mind reeling for a few weeks.  I began to doubt my future and my career path.  Eventually the excitement wore off.  And reality forced me to be...well realistic again.

Not too long ago I heard a quote from a pastor.  He said to be careful of the advice you get from others.  You may be getting some great advice about your career or life, but be careful of it.  He said to take a good look at their lifestyle, morals, and goals and see if it matches up to yours and what you want to do.  I happen to agree.  We need to be weary of the advice we take from others.  Wish I had heard this before my friend gave me advice!  While her and I share some basic morals and values, our lives are completely different.  I choose my love of art over taking any high paying job that will not satisfy me.

I thought I'd pass this along to you guys.  Maybe some of you are in a rut and need major advice.  Be weary of who you take advice from!

xo  Azu

34 comments:

  1. I totally agree with you. I would much rather take a low-paying job that fulfils me and that I am passionate about over a high paying job in which I am unsatisfied. Thank you for reminding me to stay true to what I am passionate about! I am really glad I have found your blog, you give great advice. If you have the time, please check out my blog too :)

    Our London Wardrobe

    xxx

    P.S you have great legs!

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  2. Love your outfit! Especially that top!
    xoxo

    www.cakeandcouture.com

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  3. Fabulous outfit. Your figure is to die for also!


    http://style-comes-from-within.blogspot.com
    xxx

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  4. Love this crop top, and you styled it in such a chic way...:)

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  5. Advice is honestly a dime a piece these days. Whoever you talk to will be willing to advice you on anything you care about. I tend to listen but only act on those that I see fit.
    Love the crop top and high waist shorts look on you. Very cute outfit..
    Visit me @ http://willfullyelegant.wordpress.com

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  6. Beautiful look!
    Love that top!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  7. I so agree with what you have written. I moved to a big city myself 3 years ago after finishing my MBA and was stuck in jobs that I didn't like. I could've switched jobs and got a high paying salary, but I would still be living where I didnt want to and not enjoying my job. I finally just quit my job in that city last week and moved back home and am now working independently and love it so much.
    xx
    www.JuneWantsItAll.com

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  8. Sometimes when I come here I feel like a gay guy who reads Playboy. Everyone else is here for the photos and I'm really excited to read the stories. Lol.

    You know how you said my recent post really fits into your life? Well this one fits into mine. It's really odd how we're so similar. It actually makes me really sad that we live so far apart. I desperately want to be your best friend. You're gorgeous, fabulous, stylish, and smart. Plus, we have so much in common!

    Well, anyway, I often get advice from friends (I have a shitload of problems) and it's interesting how people can give such bad advice, because they're not really thinking of YOU. You know what I mean? They don't really have your best interest at heart, they just want to tell you what you should do based on their own wants or perspectives or beliefs.

    I've been struggling with advice for a long time. I grew up with a strict, overbearing Indian father. I found myself at 24, living at home with a 10 p.m. curfew and still having to ask permission to hang out with my friends. I needed to get the hell out. I was miserable. I had a TON of friends who offered me advice like "you need to get out of there. I'd rather see you in a homeless shelter than live under that dictator! You're making $12 an hour! You can totally live on your own, easily!" Etc. I was hesitant. They were speaking from the point of view of white kids who had never ever experienced a father like mine. They came from an entirely different culture. Plus, many of them were in debt for thousands of dollars and they didn't care. After being in misery for a very long time, I finally had some sound advice from a male Indian friend who knew what I was going through because his sisters experienced the same thing with their strict father. He basically told me: "If you're incredibly unhappy, you should move out. On your salary it's going to be very difficult to live and you'll have to make a lot of sacrifices and live paycheck to paycheck. But it is doable. You should only do it if you really feel it's right." His advice really made me think and I did move out, and like he said, cut back a TON. I haven't been shopping for clothes at a department store in YEARS. I feel the best advice comes from somebody who understands the situation and really has your best interest at heart, because they know you. Everyone else should keep their mouth shut. Lol.

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  9. Holy crap that was a long comment. I should have e-mailed it to you!

    Oh, and I also wanted to say that I love your outfit (I think I like you best in white because it is so stunning against your tan skin). And I wanted to add that I never in a million years would take you for a slutbag. Like, that's laughable to me. Plus, you're way too gorgeous to get away with that anyway. You would have a ton of lovesick stalkers if you slept with a ton of guys!! I'd worry for your safety. :(

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  10. you look so beautiful :)

    do you want to follow each other? let me know :)

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  11. The white looks amazing on you..Pristine! <3

    love
    http://www.meghasarin.com

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  12. You are absolutely stunning! What lipstick are you wearing?

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  13. Love you blog so much!!! I saw it on lauren conrads website in the comments!!!
    Would you like to follow each other?!


    xo, Lizz
    www.ElizzabethHope.com

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  14. i love the bag so much.
    and about the write up, i agree with you totally. my husband advises me a lot. but we both have different goals set for us. and i seldom listen to him. and he still never understands. lol. i think like you and he thinks i'm underpayed even though i have a lot of potential. but i guuess i like it this way.

    kisses
    www.gulaabigirl.com

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  15. I completely agree with you and also know what you mean. I study in Amsterdam right now, though I live in a way smaller city. Everyone around me says I should live in Amsterdam, because I study there and my future would be better in a bigger city. But I don't like Amsterdam at all, but I do feel like all those people have an influence on me and I'm even looking at rooms in a city I don't want to live in! So right now I'm trying to stay true to myself and I want to keep living in my current hometown.

    Anyhow, to start on your look, you look absolutely darling! So charming and cute :) I like that it's all white, looks so good with your skintone!

    Sam

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  16. That is some excellent advice indeed! I relate so much to what you wrote, it's incredible!
    And I love your look!
    Love,
    S
    www.sonushka.com

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  17. Love this summer look. Adorable top!

    Happy Friday!
    Sofia

    stylishlyinlove.blogspot.com

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  18. I agree with you!
    I am always so confused about what to do in the future (also in the art world!). People give me a lot advice even when I don't want it and I believe it too but it's actually my mom that tells me the same thing as the pastor said.

    Gorgeous outfit btw :)
    Hareem x

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  19. I think you are def blessed to be able to do what you love. Who cares where you live, really. I grew up in a small town that I still hate but now we live in another small town but my house is nice and I have everything I need. I desperately want to be independent living with Nacho and Sochi on our own but until we find better jobs, I'm living with my mum. I feel so behind in life but I spent a couple years in Mexico having fun so Im catching up with the real capitalist world now.

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  20. Very cute!
    And your words are great! I'm totally with you! Chase your dreams! ;)

    I could be glad if you visit my blog: http://throughthesunshine.blogspot.com
    And if you like it, it could be nice if we follow each other. Let me know :)

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  21. lovely post, Perhaps we could follow each other on bloglovin’ and gfc? Let me know if you do
    Have a lovely day xx

    http://freefalling4fashion.blogspot.co.uk/

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  22. so glad you stuck to what you love. sometimes bigger isn't always better. well said my dear!

    Colour Me Classic

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  23. gorgeous!!your legs are hot!!!:)))




    http://style-squared.blogspot.ca/
    https://www.facebook.com/StyleSquaredByZM

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  24. Bumped into your blog via Lauren Conrad :)
    And really like it! Being a recent graduate myself I am fascinated with the ideas and insights of people and what is "up next" for them. Therefore, I was wondering if you would be interested to write a little story (or do an interview with me) for a story on my blog which is called "Dear Future I am Ready" and talks about all those decisions we are facing as young and dedicated personalities. I would be thrilled to feature you!

    More info about the story are here: http://taty-in-newyork.blogspot.de/2013/07/dreaming-wishing-hunting.html
    or simply on my blog http://taty-in-newyork.blogspot.de

    xx Taty

    ps. if you are interested write me an email via tstrahlendberg@gmail.com :)

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  25. This is such wonderful advice. It's always important to stay true to your core values and your art rather than selling yourself for a fat paycheck! You are very wise!

    Xo, Hannah

    sweetsweetnoir.net

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  26. I LOVE this post SO much:) your blog inspires me and Im following.

    Check out my new post...travel inspiration from American National parks:)

    Have a wonderful week dear

    LOVE Maria at inredningsvis - inredning it's, Swedish for decor :)

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  27. wow, I loved this story! I wouldn't know what to do if my friend gave me advise like that and I adore how you reflect upon it! (and indeed there is a huge difference between animation and old fashioned art!)
    Thanks for the advise at the end as well! I would definitely keep it in mind. The one who gave you that advise must be very wise ^-^

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  28. I love the purse!
    http://thefancyfashioncastle.blogspot.com/

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