I’ve been having some really honest, beautiful conversations with friends lately—about bravery, about being an artist.

How hard it can be to keep showing up after all the “no”s. How easy it is to start shrinking back. To get scared to ask. To worry you’re a bother. A burden.

But I’m learning—quiet mouths don’t get fed.

It’s uncomfortable. It feels exposing. But it’s necessary. If I want to grow. If I want to serve people well. If creating art is truly the thing I’m meant to do (which, it is).

So, this year, I hope we can all keep leaning in. Keep asking. Keep pursuing what feels right.

Because the right people? They’ll welcome us in.

The others? Let them. Let them talk. Let them ignore. Let stay silent on the sidelines as they watch every move of yours.

And maybe, just maybe—the next answer will be a resounding yes.