Call Yourself It

There’s this idea that you can’t call yourself something (Writer, Painter, Singer, etc) if it isn’t your job.

For some reason, many of us think that unless we’re being paid for something, we just don’t have the right to refer to ourselves as someone who does those things.

“Yeah I like to write sometimes, but I’m not a writer.”

Bullshit.

You don't need permission to call yourself a writer.

You don't need permission to call yourself a singer.

You don't need permission to call yourself an artist.

Or a content creator.

Or a music producer.

Or a painter.

Or anything else.

The only requirement is the act itself

By believing there’s some threshold for when you can and can’t call yourself something (often linked to monetary gain for whatever activity it happens to be), you’re undermining your work and passion.

If you like to create art, but haven’t had an exhibition or don’t have an income from what you make, does that make you any less of an artist?

Of course it doesn’t.

Every artist goes through a period where they don’t get paid for what they make, where nobody knows their name, and where their work isn’t seen by anyone.

Yet from the second they create something, they become an artist.

There is no invisible barrier you must cross. No ceremony. No approval board. No industry stamp.

The only requirement is the act itself.

And the same is true for everything. If you like to sing, but don’t have a record deal, you’re still a singer. If you like to write, but never publish anything, you’re still a writer.

Embrace the title. Not because you’ve been told you can, but because you’re already doing the work.