We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amanda Vanderbur a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Amanda, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
I’ve always been someone who looks at the glass half full – that there’s better days ahead and the best is yet to come. It keeps my mind from staying in a negative space. Lately I look at everything that comes my way as an opportunity for growth. That way if something doesn’t work out the way I was hoping, I don’t feel disappointed because I know there was a reason for it. There was something I gained from the experience regardless of the outcome. I no longer look at obstacles as “setbacks”, and that’s been a great mindset shift for me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I embrace creativity in every form. I enjoy drawing, have a decade of experience in graphic design, write and direct short films, dabble in amateur photography, and have a love for fashion documentaries. Whether it’s the clothes I wear or the furniture I choose for my home, I always opt for what resonates with my true self. I keep my ear to the street for emerging trends, constantly seeking inspiration to infuse into my work. Drawing has become my way to unwind and savor the moment, and I never rush it. There are times I might go months without drawing, which used to bother me, but I’ve come to appreciate the beauty in the pause. Forcing creativity often leads to unsatisfying results. So, to all my fellow creatives, avoid attaching time limits on your work. When the moment is right, you’ll know.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
One of the most important qualities that helped me gain confidence is not comparing myself to others. We are all on our own timeline, and comparison puts focus on the wrong person. You can control one life—yours. But when we constantly compare ourselves to others, we waste precious energy focusing on other peoples’ lives rather than our own. Another quality I share is patience and finding beauty in the wait. You aren’t going to feel creative every waking moment, and forcing it never leads to anything good. Take your time, what’s the rush! Lastly, setting small goals for myself has done wonders for me and my art. I used to put a time limit on when I needed to have a drawing completed, but now I give myself a more reasonable goal such as “spend at least one hour focusing on creativity this week”. It takes the stress off of me while still allowing myself to feed my creative side. Between those three qualities, I’ve really set myself up for success and feel they’re all very beneficial to those just starting out.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Whenever I am feeling overwhelmed, I always try to go for a walk and get some fresh air. As cliche as it sounds, it 100% lifts my mood almost immediately. Something about not staring at a screen and moving your body does wonders for not only your physical health but your mental health, as well. It leaves me feeling more motivated afterwards. Especially working in the creative field, it’s easy to lose track of time so I’ve started setting alarms on my phone to remind me to get up from my desk and move around. It’s a free strategy with so many benefits – I’d suggest this to anyone!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @amandavanderbur
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