Inner Healing – Love Rediscover:Nurturing Hearts

Amelia’s Art: Hurdles and Triumphs

December 11, 2023

Amelia often shares her sketching videos
on social media.

Sometimes she receives praises from strangers,
but other times she hears less than flattering comments.

Some say "You sketch so beautifully!"
But others ask "Aren't you embarrassed?"

However, Amelia does not care about other's opinions.
She just focuses on her own creativity,
paying attention to whether she's improving.
She's completely different from when she first started learning art.

Three years ago, after much hesitation,
She finally stepped into an art studio
to pick up her long lost interest in sketching.

She used to say to herself
"Maybe I should just give up...I'll just be laughed at."
It took her a long time to finally make up her mind.

Although she put her heart into every sketch,
secretly longing for recognition and praises,
she could never take that step to post her works,
always asking herself
"How can I shamelessly post something at this level?"

Such mocking, attacking voices came from a high school experience -
she secretly joined an art club
but was caught by her parents.

They scolded her
"You can't even sketch.
Isn't this just wasting your study time?"

This passion was then put aside for over a decade,
until three years ago,
guided by a counselor,
she finally realized she still loved sketching.
It was her wounded self,
paralyzed by criticisms and denial,
that didn't dare to start over again.

When she tried to be her own "parents",
unconditionally caring for and encouraging herself,
changes quietly emerged.

She told herself
"When you were little,
you couldn't fight back against
accusations and attacks from the outside world.
But now I'm here for you.
I'll support you unconditionally,
protect you,
so be bold and try!"

She started posting her works online.
Meeting malicious comments would still make her doubt herself sometimes.
But every time, she would stand behind herself firmly,
backing herself up.

She tells herself
"I know I'm constantly improving.
Let them say what they want,
no need to care."

Once, a relative just moved into a new home.
Amelia drew a painting to gift her.
But the recipient wasn't satisfied,
saying "I thought you'd be able to draw something so amazing...
doesn't match my TV wall at all..."

The old Amelia would start blaming and doubting herself
"It must be because I still can't sketch well enough to meet their expectations."

But this time,
she stopped attacking herself,
because a voice in her heart
said "You've already prepared with all your heart and effort!
People disliking your style doesn't mean you're no good!"