If you've made it this far, you've likely been poking around the rest of Amywaltersdesign.com! First, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to do that. Every moment of our lives is precious, and I do not take it lightly that you've chosen to spend a few of them supporting me and my work. This website has been a pipe dream for many years, and I am beyond thrilled to finally have gone live!
Sometimes to appreciate where you are right now (present) and embrace where you're headed (future), means taking a moment to look back and reflect on where you've come from (past).
I graduated from design school in 2008, which means that I have been working in and around the industry for about a decade now. Wow, time flies! I began my creative journey like most aspiring designers, doodling and designing things since before I can remember. It wasn't until I hit junior high that I actually realized maybe I could make a career of it. Still, I was riddled with doubts and fears; and, oh so many insecurities. The thought of making it as a designer seemed like an unreachable goal; and, with what I knew about the demanding nature of the design industry, did I even want to pursue that goal?
That was the question I asked myself all through high school, design school and, well … the first decade of my career. Again and again I asked that question; but, again and again I found myself still pursuing it.
But maybe I was asking the wrong question. Maybe the question wasn’t if I wanted to pursue it, but rather how did I want to pursue it?
The first answer to that question: I wanted to love my pursuit of design.
The second answer: I didn’t want it to be all I pursued.
I wanted to be passionate about design, while keeping it in its place. (1) I wanted to reject the stereotype that it needed to be a top priority in my life. That’s reserved for my faith, my husband, my family and my friends. Not design. (2) I didn’t want to let design define me as a person. Design is not who I am, it just happens to be what I am lucky enough to do for a living.
It was so simple, and yet such a revelation for me. I was frustrated at design for having taken over my life - my evenings, my weekends, my sleep - but the choice was mine to make. I could choose to be a part of the rat race of this world, or I could choose to work hard during the day and leave it all behind come suppertime.
Yes, I could choose.
And you can too. We all can. If something isn’t working in your life right now, choose differently. If you’ve found yourself giving in to the pressures of our fast pace world only to find it unfulfilling, like I did, it’s okay. Stop, breath, and make a list of what’s really important to you - or likely who’s really important to you. Put those people/things back in their rightful place in your life. Then prioritize your time, resources, and head and heart space accordingly.
- AW
Ps. I look forward to “meeting” you through this blog. This part of the site is meant to be interactive and social, so please don’t be shy! Leave comments, send me emails, and introduce yourself. :D