(This blog post was originally shared on my design + illustration portfolio site at ll-creative.com) 

My new friend Alicia recently shared this quote on Instagram:

“And one day she discovered that she was fierce, and strong, and full of fire; and not even she could hold herself back because her passion burned brighter than her fears.”

This quote is attributed all over the internet to Mark Anthony—but whether that’s the ancient Roman politician, a misspelling of the living Latino singer or a relatively unknown other Mark Anthony is apparently un-Googleable.

Whoever Mr. Anthony may be, he translated my feelings to words nicely. Saying that you’re an illustrator, a designer, or a writer is scary. Saying: I made this, and I think you should see it (and potentially pay for it) is super scary. I remember having to choose my major in college and wanting to find the business major that most aligned with my love of art. I chose marketing. What if I just chose art?

If I’m being generous with myself, I would say that I’ve gotten braver since Hudson’s birth because I want to show him that he should chase whatever he’s passionate about regardless of how much it scares him. If I’m less generous, I think that thing is happening that my mother has always said will happen: you simply care less about what people think as you get older. The subtle art of not giving a f*ck, as Mark Manson so eloquently puts it. Whatever forces are conspiring in my favor, I have shared more of my illustrations, writing, and myself in the last year and a half than ever before and have as a result been three to four billion times happier.

So I recently took a big leap, and am winding down my role in marketing at ThoughtWorks by the end of this year in order to pursue design and illustration.

And the craziest, most amazing things have happened almost instantly upon making that decision. I remember reading the Secret back in the day because Oprah told me to and thinking she’d officially lost it. Change the world with your thoughts? Come on, Op. I later recall hearing Arianna Huffington speak and share Rumi’s advice to live life as though everything is rigged in your favor. Maybe these ladies are on to something, because I can’t help but feel that just saying, seriously, universe! I’m doing this now! has sent incredible opportunities my way. Design projects, branding work, and the most exciting, dream-come-true illustration project ever, ever, ever.

I’m so thankful, and so excited for what 2018 will bring. So here’s Super Girl, scared of maybe a lot but going for it anyway in her cape. Cheers, friends!