Justin Ahrens
Sarah Ahrens
Kara Ayaram
Tim Damitz
Bob Davidson
Susan Herda
Kerri Liu
Katrina Strich
Intern
Guest Blogger
I’m afraid of serial killers. Really and truly. Whenever my husband goes out of town I lie awake every night, despite all my best efforts, because I am terrified that the serial killer that has been stalking me for the past 3 weeks will now take this opportune moment to slay his prey. You can clearly understand why I am not a huge fan of his business trips.
Besides the very rational fear of serial killers, I am also afraid of large, black spiders, bees (though I have grown a bit more fond of them after learning of their dwindling numbers), driving off a bridge, my husband dying, not being noticed, falling on my rollerblades over chucky curbs, being rejected by people I admire, making large scale mistakes, losing a friend, being hit by a paintball in the neck, missing a deadline, writing this blog…ect. ect. at nauseam. I am afraid of a lot of stuff!
I’m sure I’m not alone in these fears though sometimes it definitely feels that way. And when it comes to design and being creative, I am realizing that it is hard to be inspired when I am blocked by fear. And it is hard to see things differently when all you can see is your inabilities.
Just recently I re-read a little book, Mr. Crumbly Dreams a Tiger, (WARNING: shameless plug ahead) put out by the good folks at Rule29 and Terry Marks. (You can pick one up at your local R29 store, www.rule29.com.)
It’s a great illustrated book for all ages with a good life reminder. The moral of the story is to learn how to face your fears, and sometimes that means walking right up to them and then keep going because better things wait on the other side.
I am learning that my fears don’t magically go away, and that hiding from them works for only so long, besides who wants a life in hiding anyways? This little book was inspiring reminder to me that life can be wonderfully imaginative and exciting, but it will only continue to be that way if I am willing to face the things I am afraid of. Life can be better than I imagine. And I would probably sleep a lot better!
