We recently had the chance to connect with Tricky Lake and have shared our conversation below.
Tricky, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I feel I’ve been placed on a path. I don’t think I was wandering previously but I also am not sure that I was moving at all. I felt comfortable in the knowledge of every day and chose to remain even after I felt the urge for change. Now, I can see that one small divergence can be the catalyst for an entirely new world of experience.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Tricky Lake. I’m a Tattoo Artist and small business owner. I’ve been tattooing for about eight years and just recently opened a small curiosity shop called The Illustrated Woman Apothecary. I felt urged to open the little store after realizing how often I drove hours away to source things like sage, tarot decks or just to feel a bit of the vibe. Places like Salem, Peddlers Village in PA and New Hope, PA. All beautiful but a far drive for a casual visit. It occurred to me that instead of leaving again I should provide what I’m looking for here, for myself and my community. So I took a leap.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child I think I believed that the key to being happy, to achieving what the other girls around me seemed to enjoy, was to be like everyone else. I worked really hard at being funny, making sure I was pretty enough, agreeing with every popular opinion, and hiding myself out of fear of rejection. I think it was after 40 that I started to let go of the heaviest of those beliefs. I chose long ago to stop looking like everyone else but only in recent years did I begin to come into my own power after seeing the fullness of my capabilities. I think that’s the key shift. When you care more about your own opinion of you than the opinions of others. Will everyone like me? Of course not, and I absolutely do not care. Some people hate ice cream. You can’t be for everyone.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think this subject circles back to perception for me. I spent most of my life scared of rejection. Even after I was living a life that seemed to attract attention and place me boldly in the spotlight, I still kept parts of myself hidden “just in case”. In many ways I feel like I’m a novelty for people. I’m fun to look at and I’ll loudly remind you of your power but I carry with me a mix of pain and history that I tend to keep very much to myself. I used to try and keep my impact at a certain intensity because I do know that my presence is already overwhelming in its volume and unique communication. To put it nicely. Lol… But this year someone made the decision for me to place my pain under a magnifying glass so I decided to stop hiding. I opened up about the single most difficult moment of my life and found a well of compassion and understanding waiting for me. I shared my beliefs and family history and discovered endless curiosity and acceptance. Walking away from one identity, as painful as it was, and being thrust into the world bare actually pushed me to new heights. I never would have expected to be doing all that I am able to now and I never could have if I hadn’t lost that need for protection. I’m incredibly grateful for even the hardest moments of this last year because each and every one has been a step higher.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
This one can get me in trouble but a truth I find vital for growth is that change is not only good but necessary. We do a lot of judging people for making hard changes. Divorce, new jobs, basically anything that’s a risk in any way. But I feel that’s just us projecting our own fears on others because we are too scared to change Our own lives. We are taught to accept what no longer serves us and if you can’t accept it then here’s a pill so you don’t have to feel it anymore. I constantly wonder what incredible things people might achieve, who they might become, if they allowed themselves the grace needed to accept change. That being said, it’s a lot of work too. I’m extremely thankful for my work ethic and that allows me the space to feel grateful for some of my hardest times because it taught me that if something feels unattainable then just work harder. When change hits, work through it…. So, work harder and be ready to change your whole life would definitely be a strong mindset I hold that others can’t seem to embrace.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What false labels are you still carrying?
I think we all carry labels provided to us with or without our knowledge. Especially when you’re a person willing to shuck convention or abandon acceptance. My willingness to take risks and walk away has earned me the label of villain before and I’m fine with that. I feel we build the world of thought that we need to in order to survive. If someone needs to demonize me to accept their place in life and solidify their stagnation then that is fine. Other people’s perception of you is not only not your responsibility, but it’s not your business either. How you are perceived is filtered through another person’s life, the totality of their experience. So any labels placed on me, good or bad, are there for others and speak more of them than anything else.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://the-illustrated-woman.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trickylake?igsh=MWtpZm5qcXVkOGZlag==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HZFyJfKwA/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/illustratedwomanapothecary?igsh=MXR2Nzk4bXR2aDlpcg==
Image Credits
Seth Velez, Emmanuel Rodriguez
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