What if my goal was to inspire ME?
What if my ideal audience was ME?
What if the only success metric I tracked was “how close do I feel to ME?".
The season changed so quickly. Summer bounced like a bad one night stand.
I immediately felt the drop in my energy. It felt scary.
But I have been here many times before. Thankfully I have many support systems put in place from previous years.
I know I need:
Extra sleep
Physical Warmth
Movement
Self-compassion
Gentleness
Fresh air
Connection to other kind and caring humans
I also remind myself that I don’t need to FIX anything. Nothing is broken. I just need time to adjust. No need to make any big decisions based on the seasonal shift in my mood.
Being extra hard on “My Human” during these shifts helps no one.
Also, an important reminder that external substances that quickly alter my mood always cause me more damage in the long-run. That includes booze, drugs, cannabis and even food when over done.
There is an urge to contract and close my heart when the season shifts.
There is a desire to shut-off and run away from the world.
After tracking this for the past 6 years I now understand that so much of this is a seasonal event AND also that there are so many other humans going through this with me. Many of whom are suffering alone — like I was for so many years.
I have so much love and compassion for all humans experiencing this shift in energy; sometimes referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder.
As much as I want the summer to be endless, I know that’s not how life works.
Also, there is something precious and divine about the finite nature of all things on earth.
All things end…but also, often begin again.
Here’s to a new day, a new season and a new opportunity to deepen my connection to my many selves.
Anyone else feeling this drop in energy?
Writing with my ideal audience in-mind has been a crazy effective approach to helping me get the attention of the right people and grow my business. Last year alone I probably generated $10K–$15K a month for my photography business, just from writing content on my personal Facebook and Instagram pages.
AND…
Sometimes, I just want to write for me.
I love all you humans, but it can be challenging always writing for someone else. When I try to get into the minds of other people I sometimes end up losing my own truth.
As I write these words, I feel a tension between two versions of myself. There is a fascinating dynamic that exists between Business Darius and Artist Darius.
In the past, I thought I had to kill one and hold the other sacred. That was definitely not the solution. I now believe this tension can actually be really healthy. Neither of them holds the full truth. I now know they both bring value and can co-exist.
Letting them dance together and find their flow is key. Sometimes Business Darius needs to lead and other times Artist Darius is the one guiding the dance.
"Business D" has been crushing all summer. I’m really proud of him, but I’m getting that familiar feeling once again, that it’s time to give the keys to "Artist D" for a bit and let him work his magic.
Anyone else feel a tension between two or more parts when it comes to Social Media?
Next week I am announcing something really freaking exciting. It’s a project I have been working on for the past 132 days. Something that pulls together the last 17 years of my life as a Creative Entrepreneur and Artist.
Can you guess what it could be?
Best guess wins a personalize song made from me to you.
PS: I’ve shared my last hit song below in case you needed to know how amazing I am as a songwriter. I am sure you will love and cherish your song forever.
It has been 62 days since I shared any new photography on Instagram or Facebook.
I don’t regret taking the time off. I needed a break for a variety of reasons.
But it’s time to share again.
These photos of Jordan Lindo are really special to me. I’ll speak more on them in the future, when I have more energy and capacity for deep diving.
It was an honour to collaborate with Jordan for this project.
These photos are part of a collection I am working on for a book called SoftMen.
More from me soon.
D
I was honoured to host Chidiogo (aka Chidi) on the Artist Morning Podcast 2 weeks ago.
Her brilliance and her grace left my heart so full.
She is the founder of an amazing organization called “She Roars” which helps women of African descent find their ROAR.
Most recently, Chidi has started an online virtual group called “Connect To Your Roar” which helps people connect with their hearts and find their voice.
I know there’s a lot going on in the world, but this video might leave you feeling hopeful and inspired.
To sign-up for “Connect to Your Roar” → https://theinsidehuman.com/products/she-roars-chidiogo-akunyili
To follower her on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/chidiogo.akunyili/
To learn more about her amazing “She Roars” organization → https://www.sheroarsafrica.org/
So grateful for you Chidi!
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PS: If you enjoyed this podcast you can subscribe to the Artist Morning YouTube channel for more podcasts + FREE guided meditations weekly → shorturl.at/gjuJV
Also, please share with anyone you feel might benefit from this content. Your support and kindness goes A REALLY LONG WAY. 🙏❤️😁
For more information on joining the Artist Morning community click here → www.artistmorning.com
Next FREE guided (group) meditation is tomorrow morning at 9am (ET).
Come join us for some fun, creative support and accountability.
Much much much love,
D
What the hell is breathwork and why should I care?
Great question…. I love when you ask great questions. ;)
Jenn Mansell and I explore that question and many more in Ep. 03 of the Artist Morning Podcast.
I have been doing Breathwork Meditation for the past 18 months with the guidance and coaching of Jenn, and so far it has helped me in several really powerful ways.
It helped me move past a massive unconscious block that had convinced me that there was no room for my feelings and my voice in this world.
It gave me access to DEEPER levels of joy (the most amazing giggle attacks of my life)
After over 20 years of not being able to cry, Breathwork (and Jenn) finally helped me feel safe enough to bring down my walls and release trapped energy that was stuck inside me for over two decades.
And most of all it brought me closer to my heart and to my ART.
I love you Jenn Mansell. You have been a massive catalyst for my spiritual and creative growth over the past 3 years.
It is such a treat to share your brilliance with the world.
Love,
D
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PS: If you enjoyed this podcast you can subscribe to the Artist Morning YouTube channel for more podcasts + FREE guided meditations weekly → shorturl.at/gjuJV
For more information on joining the Artist Morning community click here → www.artistmorning.com
Next FREE guided (group) meditation is tomorrow morning at 9am (ET).
Come join us for some fun, creative support and accountability.
Much much much love,
D
Most of us are climbing some sort of mountain. Many of us desire to climb higher.
Sometimes what can help us climb higher is lightening our load.
There are very few things heavier and more dense than guilt and shame. They can weigh us down and make it very hard to continue climbing.
This FREE 15-min guided mediation is an exploration of the concept of self-forgiveness. My intention is to help you release any guilt that is ready to be let go and make room for more inspiration and creation.
Made from my heart to yours.
D
PS: If you enjoyed this meditation you can subscribe to the Artist Morning YouTube channel for more FREE guided meditations + podcasts weekly --> shorturl.at/gjuJV
For more information on the Artist Morning click here —> www.artistmorning.com
HERE’S A REALLY POWERFUL STORY ABOUT MOUNTAINS
Last January, at the Archangel Masters event in LA, one of the speakers told us this story about a friend of his who decided to climb a mountain.
The person in his story was having a really hard time. This particular mountain was very challenging. Midway through, the man began to slow down, as the rest of his group continued their ascent.
Then the sherpa who was leading the group, made his way back down to this man, to check-in on him and see if he needed some assistance.
In a neutral and non-judgmental tone he asked the man
“Is this where you stop?”
Out of breath, the man looked up at the sherpa, who then said
“Everyone has a spot where they stop and go back. Is this yours?”
The man in the story became aware in that moment of reaching his own edge, and took a moment to reflect on the sherpa’s question.
This story made me realize that everyone has to stop at some point. The goal isn’t to endlessly move forward, otherwise we’ll either burnout or fall off the edge of a mountain.
For some people their point to stop and go back is halfway through their mountain.
For others it’s at the very top.
For some, it’s at the top of mountain number 20 and for others it’s at step 0. They stop before taking a single step.
Everyone is different. I think it’s important we all pick our own stopping point. Stopping is not a bad thing, that’s how we can take in the view and appreciate the journey.
Stopping, when we really truly want to keep going, that’s where it get’s messy.
This story helped me realize that the place I stop and go back is very similar, no matter which mountain I am climbing (business, relationship, social media, podcasting, etc)
As I explore new mountains I can now use this awareness to empower myself to check-in and see if I am ready and able to climb past my previous stopping spot.
What is the point where you stop and go back?
And how do you feel about that point?
And for those of you who care, the man ended up making it all the way to the top of the mountain. :)
Forgiveness is a major part of the creative process.
Specifically forgiving previous versions of ourselves who did not live up to our own expectations.
Finding a way to forgive that version of ourselves that started something full of excitement and potential, but eventually gave up and left the project unfinished and abandoned.
There are lessons from these “failed” projects, so there is value in looking at them and not running away from them.
But when that exploration is done and the lessons are gained, continuing to punish ourselves for past projects that didn’t go the way we had hoped, will never lead to more creatively.
I have started 5podcasts in the last 3 years. None of them took off the way I had hoped.
Some were abandoned too soon, and I feel bad about these.
Some I finished to the pre-determined end-date (podcast episode 365) and yet, apart of me feels disappointed that it only got 7000 downloads.
Some I will come back to in the future.
The point is, I feel like I am carrying much guilt about these projects.
Like all poison, this guilt can fester and rot away inside us.
It can weigh us down. It can block the flow of creativity and hope.
Yes, we can jump onto the next project and chase the high of starting something new.
I’ve done this way too often in my life.
But maybe before we move on to the next project, we take a moment to sincerely sit with that part of us that we are so mad at, and see if we can forgive them for the past projects.
Instead of constantly putting them down and punishing them, what would happen if we let go of the past and placed that punishment energy into supporting them. Believing in them, and also filling in the gaps on things they might have done in the past that were not productive.
For example, in the past, I almost never shared my podcasts on social media. How the hell is anything going to grow, if no one knows about it and I never promote it?!
All this to say… I have a new podcast. I am proud of this podcast. It’s new and I am a little shy about it. But I am taking the learnings from the past and bringing them to this new project.
It’s called the Artist Morning Podcast. It is obviously connected to the Artist Morning project I have started.
This is episode 001. I chose my homie Chris Assaad as our first guest.
Chris massively helped me blast through a dense creative block I had and so I personally experienced his talent in working with artists and creators to GET UNSTUCK. Dude knows his shit and is effective!
He also makes such beautiful music. I only discovered his music last fall, but I have easily spent hours and hours playing his music.
Okay… here we go…. The Artist Morning Podcast — -> Episode 001
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PS: If you enjoyed this podcast you can subscribe to the Artist Morning YouTube channel for more podcasts + FREE guided meditations weekly → shorturl.at/gjuJV
For more information on the Artist Morning click here → www.artistmorning.com
Next FREE guided (group) meditation is tomorrow morning at 9am (ET).
Come join us for some fun, creative support and accountability.
Much much much love,
D