Square Hole: a self portrait © Sarah Allegra
I’m sure everyone reading this has had times when they felt like the often cited square peg in a round hole. It’s a pretty universal human experience. And, of course, we shouldn’t all fit neatly into every hole society expects of us. If we did, there would be no one to rock the boat, to bring about desperately-needed change, no inspirational leaders, no one going against the flow and showing us we can do the same.
We need those people who obviously, obtusely, refuse to contort themselves into whatever-shaped hole is expected of them. We need our spiritual leaders, those who bring about social reform, who call out those in power and refuse to let injustice stand. We need artists and creatives who show us with words and paint and dance and pixels how the world could be different. And we need them all to help us make this possibility a reality.
It feels cliche to say this as an artist, but I have always felt different from most of the people around me. I rarely felt like I fit in, except for with the occasional kindred spirit I would meet, shining like a beacon in the night. Those other beautiful, misfit souls who also felt like they didn’t belong; when we were together, suddenly, we did belong. And I am very lucky to have married such a man! Having just a few people like that in your life, people who truly understand you and appreciate you for you you are right now in addition to what you might be can make all the difference in the world. It can be the difference between life feeling like a desert wasteland or a lush garden, full of birds who eat from your hands and fawns who curl up on your lap like a Disney movie.
Humans need to feel understood, to find their tribe. I am very grateful to have found so much of mine, both online and off!
This square hole is in my mother-in-law’s house and usually houses a very handsome metal owl sculpture. She was kind enough to let me move the owl and Geoff was sweet enough to help me shoot with self portrait in it (along with a number of other self portraits which I’ll eventually get around to editing). He was also in charge of making sure I didn’t plummet to my death; one side of the hole is about chest-high on me, on the second story of the house, but the other side opens into the main living room, probably 20 feet high. I am quite scared of heights, but I will brave a lot that I wouldn’t normally endure for the sake of art… especially if Geoff is there to make sure I stay safe. 🙂
Don’t worry if you feel like you don’t fit in. You will find your people. And once you do, the whole journey will feel worth it. Dance to your own drummer. Break out of the mold people try to put you in. Live your life authentically, because you’re the only one who can.
Square Hole: a self portrait © Sarah Allegra
Mythic Pictures 