I attended at least 7 different schools throughout my primary education - rarely staying anywhere for more than 2 years. Sometimes my family would move to another city right in the middle of a semester making a mess out of credits and GPA's. This was not due to military re stationing - the folklore says my adoptive parents were trying to stay ahead of my biological parents who often threatened to come to take us back. This all sounds a bit dangerous and romantic - I don't know if it's true. I stopped trying to make sense of it some time ago.
These experiences built a few things in me. I've always been the new kid on the block. Young human beings have a hard time being welcoming so I learned to love it when it happened, but never to rely on that. Yes, I'm new - I've entered this space and I probably won't do or be like anything that was here before. I was naturally non conformist. Not out of rebellion - I just never stayed anywhere long enough to be set in any absolutes. I did and I wore what I liked. I was surprised when I was teased for these things like wearing a polyester jump suit and penny loafers with real pennies in them. There is an attitude in the world that says, "How DARE you be different." This has always perplexed me.
Today in my work as an artist in front and behind the camera, and in my leadership role in my business, these themes are still ever present. There is still a framework, a way things have always been done, and if you disrupt that even by your mere presence - you will encounter opposition. This opposition may come from people you deeply admire as they draw out their correct way in approaching things. This opposition will mostly likely always come from at least one person in your family trying to discourage you in a loving way. This opposition will come some days when you look in the mirror and see your own doubts reflected back to you.
Because I've had this experience so many times as a child I built a resilience to endure this. It's a type of default bravery. As an adult now I've met people who I can call dear friends and allies who understand and demonstrate support and encouragement. I don't allow anyone else to occupy significance in my life. This is my strongest advice for keeping your path clear & un muddied. Move forward with the knowingness that there is a space for you. You continue to create it with every forward motion.
Photo by Dennis Dortch. Dallas Texas, September 2015. Denim Blouse by Zara, Denim Trousers by TopShop. Always working on my MacBook Pro.