Read This If You Want To Be An Artist In 2024…

Harsh Darji
4 min readFeb 3, 2024

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You want to create art.
You want to write books.
You want to make music.
You want to tell your stories.
You want to express your true self.

But you simply can’t.

Your focus is to make more money.
Your focus is to be more productive.
Your focus is to meet societal expectations.
Your focus is to conform to standards of success.

I don’t blame you because we live in a society where productivity is more important than creativity. Where conformity is more important than authenticity. Where status is more important than contentment.

But let me tell you this:

Even though your art is on hold, you are still an artist.
Even though you are stuck in a 9–5 job, you are still an artist.
Even though your dreams seem distant, you are still an artist.
Even though your passion feels suppressed, you are still an artist.
Even though responsibilities weigh heavy on your shoulders, you are still an artist.

You might be feeling like an impostor. How can you call yourself an artist when you haven’t created anything? Let me give you all the reasons why you are an artist:

You are incredibly unique. I mean, think about it for a moment. Every little thing about you — the way you talk, the way you walk, even the way you think — it’s all uniquely yours. There’s no duplicate out there, no copycat version of who you are. Your DNA is singular and unparalleled and has never been created before. And to think you’ve got nothing to offer to the world is a disservice to the big creator. Heck it’s a disservice to your very essence. Your existence isn’t some random accident, it’s a divine orchestration. You are here to share your art. You are here to challenge norms. You are here to reshape realities. You are here to to awaken the world with the power of your creativity.

Image by Harsh Darji

Art is not about rules.
Art is not about words.
Art is not about the tools.
Art is not about validation.
Art is not about perfection.
Art is not about an end. Art is about beginning. Art is about becoming.
Art is about you. Art is about your story. Art is about your experiences.

Art is a way of being. Art is a way of expressing. Art is a way of connecting. Art is a way of bridging the gap between the seen and the unseen, the known and the unknown, the tangible and the intangible.

When you create, you invite others into your world. You invite them to see through your eyes, to feel through your heart, to experience the world in all its beauty and complexity. You invite them to join you on a journey of exploration, of discovery, of wonder. And in doing so, you become more than just an artist. You become a storyteller, a guide, a beacon of light in a world shrouded in darkness. You become a source of inspiration, a source of hope, a source of joy in a world plagued by despair.

But make no mistake — being an artist is not always easy.

You will have to be vulnerable.
You will have to confront your fears.
You will have to let go of expectations.
You will have to open yourself to criticism.
You will have to accept your imperfections.

You will have to surrender to the moment. You will have to trust the process. And most importantly you will have to trust yourself.

And it is in these moments of struggle that you truly come alive.

You will find your voice.
You will create your purpose.
You will make your place in the world.

So do not be afraid to create. Do not be afraid to share your art with the world. For in doing so, you honor the essence of who you are, the truth of why you’re here, the beauty of what you have to offer.

For in the end, it is not the art itself that matters — it’s the impact it has on you and the world. It’s the legacy it leaves behind, the memories it creates, the stories it tells. It’s the way it reflects the human experience, celebrates diversity, and honors the human spirit.

And lastly, 2024 is the year you start introducing yourself as an ARTIST, no ifs no buts, you are an ARTIST. PERIOD.

Thank you for reading and welcoming me into your world. I appreciate you and can’t wait to see your art.

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DM me your art on Instagram and I would love to support you by sharing it with my people.

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Harsh Darji
Harsh Darji

Written by Harsh Darji

Writer | On a mission to help you heal and expand your consciousness