The Magic of Being Able to Do What You Want to Do & How to Start

That dream of being able to do what you want to do? The one that makes you feel simultaneously terrified and alive?

Sweet friend, I see you sitting there, waiting for someone to give you permission to chase your creative freedom lifestyle. Maybe you’re thinking “when I get that degree…” or “once I have more experience…” or “if only someone would choose me…”

But here’s the truth that changed everything for me: the only permission slip you need to create your artist dream life is the one you write for yourself.

Let’s talk about how to make that slip easier to use. 🎟️

What’s the Permission Slip You’ve Been Waiting For? (& How to Make Your Own)

Let me take you back to 2020, when I was spending hours in Broadway audition rooms, just waiting to be seen. I was literally waiting for someone else to choose me, to validate my dreams, to give me permission to be the artist I knew I could be.

Sound familiar?

We’re taught from an early age that success comes from external validation – the gold stars, the degrees, the certifications, the casting director’s nod.

But I’m sure it’s not alien for you to hear “the most powerful permission slip comes from within!” That’s not to say that I’ll never wait on someone else — I love collaborating and would love to be on projects that other people produce.

Let’s simply break down this concept that we always need to wait for someone else 🙂

Why Do We Wait for Someone Else’s Approval?

Every artist you admire did at least 1 thing before they were “ready.” Before they had all the credentials. Or before anyone else believed in them. They simply decided to begin.

Here’s something they don’t teach you in art school: waiting for approval is often just fear wearing a fancy costume.

So… why do we wait?! We wait because:

• It feels safer than risking rejection
• We’re conditioned to seek external validation — teachers grading us, coaches instructing us. It’s all in good intention (usually!)
• The myth of “being chosen” is deeply ingrained in artistic fields
• It’s easier to dream than to face potential failure

Your art exists because YOU exist. The universe didn’t place these dreams in your heart by accident. And it certainly didn’t give you a day-by-day map of when to start and how.

How to Start Being Able to Do What You Want to Do

The journey to creative independence isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment – it’s about deciding that this moment is perfect for starting.

Break Free From Being a “Should”-Head

Oh my goodness, can we talk about the “shoulds” for a minute? They’re like little creativity vampires, sucking the joy out of our artistic journey!

• “I should wait until I have more training…”
• “I should focus on a ‘real’ career first…”
• “I should do it the traditional way…”

What if… hear me out… we replaced every “should” with “choose” or “want” and watch how it transforms your energy?

Instead of “I should wait,” try “I want to want until I’ve graduated – then, I will X.”And even then, everyone has a place until the universe reminds them that it has its own plan for them. 😋

Know That There’s Space For Everyone at the “Top”

One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is that there’s not enough room for our dreams. That if someone else is successful, it somehow diminishes our chances.

Success in the creative world is not a pie with limited slices. It’s more like a garden – the more flowers that bloom, the more beautiful it becomes for everyone.

What looks like an overnight success from the outside is usually years of tiny steps, quiet moments of practice, and persistent belief from the inside. That Broadway performer you admire? They started with community theater. That bestselling author? They started with a script that they had to ask their friends and family members to read.

You might love this read next: What is Life Meaning and Purpose?: How to Manifest Your Creative Destiny

Get Uber Specific on the “What” and the “Why” (Let the “How” Figure Herself Out)

In acting class at The Esper Studio, we learned that generalized energy creates generalized results. We can’t just say “My meaning in this scene is as if I had just won the lottery.” What would you do with that money? What does that money mean to you?

Getting more specific, “My meaning is that I just won $2.7 million so I can afford a big mansion in the middle of the North Carolina mountains where I can build my dream recording studio and never have to work my day job again.”

Now that’s specific. Damn, I’m already feeling some feels just from typing that!

The same principle applies to manifesting your dreams! Instead of saying “I want to be a singer,” get specific like this:

“I want to create performance-art style music with meditative, ethereal energy that leaves my audience feeling inspired, cared for, and transformed after every song.”

See how that clarity immediately makes it feel more real, more possible, more clear? 💗

✨ Related: 10 Law of Attraction Quotes to Manifest Your Creative Dreams

Design Your Lifestyle Around Your Dreams

This is where artistic lifestyle design really happens!

Start living as if your dreams are already your reality. Some call it fake-it-till-you-make-it, some simply say that it’s creating an environment that fully manifests your vision of being able to do what you want to do.

For me, this meant:

• Finding a Cozy Girl Job that gave me both financial stability and creative energy
• Creating a home environment that feels like it’s my dream home
• Developing rituals that make everyday moments feel magical
• Surrounding myself with people who speak about creative freedom lifestyle with reverence

Use Time Management That Feels Like Magic

Artist time freedom doesn’t have to feel corporate or rigid! Think of it as creating sacred containers for your creativity to flourish.

2 things I’ve been loving and that have helped me immensely!

• Set boundaries with your time by creating clear start and end points — I always do this to make sure I’m not losing track of time when I’ve started something.
• Create rituals around your creative practice (light a candle, put on specific music) so you can move in and out of different projects with a little energetic “warm-up” and “cool-down.”

Taking Inspired Baby Steps

Every creative career transition, every vision, every dream starts with a single step. It looks big from the outside, but we all know that with every big move, there are million ones nobody sees. These are yours, friend. Your journey to being able to do what you want to do is no different.

Break down your big dreams into tiny, sparkly steps that feel doable.

Maybe today it’s just creating an Instagram account for your art. Tomorrow it might be making your first post.

Jack Canfield says to do 5 things every day to bring you closer to your goal — and if it feels too overwhelming (i.e. “build a website!”) just go smaller and smaller until you can visualize it (purchase your domain).

These small actions create momentum that leads to magical transformations in your creative life planning. ✨

“Feel the Flutter” on Every Part of the Journey

Remember that butterfly feeling you get when something feels absolutely right? That’s your creative intuition speaking – your inner compass pointing toward your truest expression.

I found that I started losing my “gut” energy when I was focusing too much on the strategic, analytical side. Sure, that’s great, but anyone can do that. Anyone can study up and remember and learn things and figure out how to ~optimize~ it to be most efficient.

Not many people can listen to their gut. Strip away all of the noise and feel the intuition.

Feel the joy in the work you’re doing, and recognize how you feel while doing certain things.

How can you bring more joy to the work you’re doing, even if you don’t like it?

I’ve been starting to do this with my Cozy Girl Job. It’s not my fav work, but it’s income! So, I light incense. I go to a cute coffee shop or grab some sushi. I dress in cute & comfy clothes. I do everything I can to feel the flutter, even if it’s in everything but the work I’m doing.

Like this? Follow me here next: How to Not Stress Over an Overloaded Schedule (a Gentle Approach)

Create Your Dream Creative Life

Your dreams of creative independence aren’t too big. They’re not unrealistic. They’re seeds the universe planted in your heart because you’re meant to grow them into your perfect artist dream life.

Take up space. Make imperfect art. Celebrate every tiny step forward in your career transition. And know that the “how’ will reveal itself as you move forward.

Embrace your creative journey to being able to do what you want to do with me — join my email list or follow along on YouTube. ✨