Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Claire-mélody Cascail. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Claire-Mélody, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
As a multidisciplinary artist, my self-discipline has been a conscious decision, a well thought learning path and ended being highly necessary. If you are familiar to impostor syndrome in the field you are wishing to be taken seriously at, imagine having to fight it continuously for every creative field you are passionate about. I believe this is happening to the majority of us. Without solid systems and structures, it is impossible to advance in a consistent way. If you don’t take action, you’ll never find out if this is your thing or not.
On the other side, I have narcolepsy and even if I don’t want this trait to define me as a person, the reality is that without experimenting and following some strong daily routines (sleep, body food, brain food, movement and light) I would not be able to do more than “just work” and home duties, which in some days is already too much to handle. That’s something I’ll never accept. My days are shorter than normal so I need to make sure I make time for what matters, generally related to creativity, laughing, nature or humans.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I like to define myself as the MacGyver of Creativity since it has been the silver wire that has guided my whole career. From Art Direction to Music, Illustration & Embroidery, what I enjoy the most is when I can combine all those skills in one project. For example creating a music video from the concept to the scene, props and casting. To me, every experience is important even if it seems unrelated to the artistic or corporate project. Creativity is not only about aesthetics, advertising awards or beauty, it also relies in bringing solutions to problems of any kind, that are not seen as “creative” or artistic.
I’ve done this for 20 years and none of my weeks look the same. That’s why I have started to guide creatives and multidisciplinary artists. Organisation, focus and prioritisation are very natural to me, but I’ve realised it was not for all. It’s one of the biggest joy of my life: seeing somebody regain control over their schedule, reducing anxiety and being able to make time for what they truly want to achieve.
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?
I am very good at listening, for real. It came from a fear of speaking in the past, but has become a real strength. Learn to listen to somebody so you can surprise them with what they didn’t know they were thinking, feeling or really saying.
I am a doer. I love planning, but I know that the action is what will let me feel if it is right for me. I can launch a project in a very short time since I have the necessary skills to do it alone, from business plan to building a marketing system, from website to newsletter, social media campaigns, etc. But I won’t wait for it to be perfect to share it with the world. Think it, do it, learn from it then adjust.
I am a perpetuate learner. I need to be learning or I’ll get bored. If it’s not from the work I am doing, it will be from my colleagues or clients. Now, I believe that something as simple as washing dishes can be improved every day. It’s not only about work, it’s about studying life. I read every morning and take notes. It’s not only about trying to keep the interesting information in your mind, it’s to make it a conscious choice. What do I ingest, what do I chose to store, apply and even share.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
My first option when I feel overwhelmed is usually to go have a 10min nap. Really! But I am lucky to be able to sleep anywhere and at any time, in less than 2 minutes.
If I can’t and the thoughts start looping in my mind: all I have to do, all I should be doing and everything I may never be able to accomplish: I take distance. Go for a walk, get some light in the eyes, check for any kind of nature movement (I am lucky to be surrounded with trees, butterflies and deers).
After that, priorities usually seem clearer.
If not: I seat with several pieces of paper on a wide empty desk and try to define the sections of my current thoughts. Those will turn into titles! I then go and list worries with their corresponding solutions under every section.
I won’t be able to act on them all right now, but at least they are somewhere else than in my brain and having a global view of it all (it doesn’t have to look nice, just write as fast as it comes) helps a lot.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melarise.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melarise/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melarise/
Image Credits
Diego Ezia
Cristina Sanchez
Creatibety
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