A week ago, I photographed and did an interesting and inspiring interview with an artist, actor and acrobat. She said something that made me think. In many ways, simple and yet so relevant for anyone engaged in creative work.
Some years ago while she was rehearsing for a movie shooting, the director of the movie told her: “You are too much of a good girl, doing what you are told. Loosen up and don’t give a damn!” She followed his advice and suddenly her creative career took a giant boost.
I think in my younger days I was too much of a good boy, too. I did what I was told. Creatively I certainly didn’t draw outside the lines. I follow the “rules” and did what I was supposed to do. Although nobody gave me the same advice as this artist I interviewed got, slowly by slowly as my creative self matured, I started to care less and less about doing the “right” thing. Instead, I have become more like a rooky, creatively speaking (not necessarily in my interaction with other people).
I think we all need to be less nice or good and rather let loose and don’t think so much about what is the right thing to do. When we start to don’t give a damn, we enter into a different mindset, our creative thinking changes, we see differently and begin to discover new ways of expressing ourselves. Our creative voice will take a boost when we loosen up, if nothing else, because we start to create and do things differently from everybody else. Giving ourselves permission to don’t give a damn will be the first step towards a distinctive way of seeing and expressing ourselves.
Thus being bad isn’t always bad. On the contrary, we need to be a little more bad—and please understand me right when I say so. There is a Swedish saying that goes like this: “Nice girls come to heaven, bad girls can come as far as they like”. Unnecessary to say, it goes for both girls and boys.
On a different note, some of you may have noticed I have been absent from the blog sphere the last week or so. It’s just been extremely busy times and I haven’t had a chance to engage in social medias. However, I hope to be back now that summer on this part of the hemisphere is approaching and life may start to become a little less busy.
I so agree with you Otto. I’ve learned to loosen up over the last few years and in fact you could probably say I’m the black sheep of the family. My siblings don’t get me because I’m not conforming but I don’t care like I used to. I’m tired of doing what others expect me to do. You could say “I don’t give a damn”.
Being the black sheep of the family makes you stand out, doesn’t it! Seems like we have gone similar ways. 🙂
Hmm, yes, I see where you are coming from, Otto, and agree from a creative point of view….but we certainly do need to ‘give a damn’ in our dealings with others…but you know that! Just saying…
Yes, I completely agree with you. There are too many in this world that don’t give a damn about others.
Sadly
Loosening up is the thing,! Glad you are ‘back’ , Otto.
I am glad to be back. Thank you, Paula.
This image reminds me of the song of Tears for fears “Shout, shout let it all out.” I also think it’s healthy to do this occasionally. You become sick of strong emotions if you do not let them out.
That’s another side to it all, isn’t it. Holding back emotions are seldom very good for self.
Great advice, Otto.
I spent nearly my whole life trying to fit in. Now, I don’t give a %@#!
I am finally being Me. It’s a great weight off one’s shoulders to stop carrying around someone else’s opinion and standards 🙂
Don’t too many of us try to fit in. I agree with you: %@#!
Hi Otto,
A very nice piece inspiring like so often. I love the picture!
Best greetings,
Dominika
>
Thank you, Dominika.
yes, i like your approach to this. love the pic and glad to have you back –
Thank you, Beth. It’s good to be back. 🙂
Where is this statue?
This statue is situated in Oslo, Norway.
Thanks! 🙂
Inspiring as always! It took me about 50 years to even loose up a little…Good Girls always have problems.
Never too late to be a little “bad” is it!
I guess not. And it’s easier as the years give you
…confidence and more knowledge – you get assured that you are as good as anyone else.
Thank you Otto.
And thank you.
Good that you have been busy, but better to have you back. I never did give a damn 😀
Bad girl, you. 🙂
Hah, always! 🙂
I like that. I’ve never been much of a rule follower anyway.
Those rule followers have something to learn from you. 🙂
I love the photo, Otto! 😎👌🏻👍🏻
Thank you, John.
Great post, in both words and photo. I think you are so right about this. I hope your busyness has been pleasant and/or productive 🙂
Mostly the busyness (I like that word) has been both pleasant and productive. Thank you, Linda.
Otto, being a bit naughty opens one to various circular thinking. While no one wants to be considered bad, today the cultural lexicon actually says that bad is good.
There are different ways of being bad. Bad human is different than a bad creator. 🙂
Indeed…
Interesting thought. Some do it naturally – others are natural contrarians – and others do need that alter ego mindset to see things a different way!
Well, isn’t that the beauty of us human beings. We are all so different.
… and cheers for that!
LOVE the capture but more-so this advice – does one’s soul good to color outside the lines!
Sometimes we should disregard the lines completely.
Indeed!
a very different statue from the norm
nicely photographed
Thank you, Sherri.
Enjoyed this post. Its good to be a bit provoked into change at times. We go through so much of our lives behaving and doing as we think we should that it is hard to ever just be ourselves.
You are very right. There so much pressure from everywhere on how we ought to be.
This makes me think of another quote, “well-behaved (wo)men rarely make history.”
That is another good quote.
Indeed, let loose means let just play, when you just think you are playing then the boundary expands – rules are loosing up.
Playing without boundaries is pure fun, isn’t it.
Could not agree more, Otto. I have often been considered “eccentric” to my family… I don’t care. I am who and what I am…
I like to think it’s part of my charm… 😉
When you have the courage to be who and what you are, nothing can stop you…
So very true!!
Thanks for making me smile, Otto. I shall try not to be a ‘very’ bad girl. 🙂 🙂
Bad is good enough, isn’t it!
Definitely x
well…. bad advice for the Godly haha, but you know how i feel about being a ‘bad’ photographer lol we’re on the same page, Otto 🙂
We might even be reading the same book.
no book on my end lol, just simple rebellion lol
You just don’t want to agree with me, rebellion as you are!
haha, well, i’ve never seen a book on what i do lol… what would it be called ‘be a crap photographer?’ lol
actually, it’s not rebellion… it’s the only way i can not lose something entirely, is to choose to be bad at it 🙂
Timely words, Otto. The same day I read this post, I walked out to the historic cemetery nearby to work some more on my “cemetery art” series. I thought about what you had written and realized that I need to break out of the way I’d been approaching this series and try some more unusual approaches. And by the way, when someone tells me “You’re bad,” I consider it the highest compliment I can get!
I hope you had or will have fun with your new approach to the cemetery art project. And I agree it’s a great compliment,
Great post, and I love the statue. It conveys your topic perfectly.
Thank you, Linda.
I loved the capture (pic)…..it’s beautiful a true depiction I must say.
The definition of perfect is never perfect
So right. Thank you for commenting.
I really enjoyed this. Females will be judged more harshly for content than males. This applies to photography, writing, artwork, even verbal communication . It’s admirable not give a damn but there may be consequences .😊
Yes, and the consequences may even be positive. 🙂
A truly enjoyable read, Otto, and some very good advice.
Thank you!!
And thank you for the response, Lisa.
What a fascinating life you lead! I love the “don’t give a damn attitude” of your post, Otto. Sometimes we can be much too uptight as a society. Excellent message.
Yes, uptight is the right word. Thank you.
Well said, Otto. I belong to a local Camera Club (as I a sure many photographers do). Camera Clubs have regular competitions – but to do well in a club competition you have to ‘play it safe’ and produce something that is ‘likeable’ by the judge. These competitions my help the novices but they do nothing to encourage invidividuality or maverick behaviour photographically. At some point we all have to decide whether we are taking images that we want others to ‘like’ or for our own personal pleasure and growth as individuals and if someone else likes what we do, then that is a bonus. It’s an uncomfortable decision to make initially, but it frees us up to be who we really are.
You make a poignant point. I see the same with photo clubs. There is a positive encouragement. But it’s harder as soon as you start to venture off the beaten tracks.
I’m glad you passed that advice the actress got on – you’re right, it’s just the kind of spark that one needs from time to time. Nice has it’s place, but not within real creativity. The photo is so perfect with the message!
Absolutely, nice has its place. I should have pointed that out as well. Thank you, Lynn.
For sure, Otto, I know you care a lot. The things you do tell me so. Not giving a damn, not trying all the time to do the so called right thing is about something else. As I understand you, not giving a damn is about daring to experiment, daring to do the unexpected, daring to go your own way without asking permission. I hope to allow myself living that way too, and I know it will never prevent me from caring about others.
Yes, say don’t give a damn is kind of tabloid speaking. Your understand is very coherent with how I see it too. Thank you.
The image is perfectly in sync with the subject of your post, Otto. I like it. Words and image.
Thank you, Elen.
Conveys a lot, hands down.
Thank you.
Nice post. It really makes me think. thank you.
And thank you for the feedback, Esther.
Bonjour Otto and Everybody:)
question: where is statue located? and is it your teddy bear below his foot? 😛
once more, some of your own words grabbed my attention:”When you have the courage to be who and what you are, nothing can stop you…” Hmm… True! but what if “Gremlins” around… and out to get you? Ah, Ah! 😉
last:) ‘having a barrel of laughs with: “A mother who was talking to her little girl the other evening was greatly surprised at the answer she received to one of her questions. “My child, where do good girls go when they die?” “To heaven, of course.” “My dear, where do bad girls go?” “To the depot to see the traveling men come in.” what do you think?:)
Nice article Otto! Merci.
Thank you for a fun response. I like you take on the quote. Made me laugh. And yes, it’s my travelling Ted and the statue is located in Oslo, Norway.