There’s something strangely empowering about wearing my new flying fish T-shirt that proudly proclaims, “I’m an Uncommon Animal.” It’s not just a wardrobe choice—it’s a philosophy. This quirky, pink flying fish, plucked straight from my kids’ book and given a rebellious street-art makeover, perfectly embodies the duality I aspire to: bold enough to defy the odds and take flight, yet chill enough to ride the waves when life throws curveballs. Staring at the fish’s determined-yet-carefree expression, I realise I could learn a thing or two from this airborne aquatic oddball. If I could embody both discipline and a laid-back vibe, I might just unlock the secret to thriving as an artist.
Discipline: The Superpower of Consistency
Let’s start with discipline, the one trait I’d most like to download into my brain, Matrix-style. Discipline is what separates the dreamers from the doers, the idea hoarders from the creators. Imagine if I woke up every day with the focus of this flying fish, determined to leap out of the water and land on a wave of productivity.
With discipline, I’d stick to my creative goals like glue. I’d carve out time every day to bring my art to life—whether it’s designing another flying fish masterpiece or crafting an eye-catching aardvark wallpaper. Deadlines would no longer loom like storm clouds; instead, I’d meet them head-on with calm efficiency. My print-on-demand projects would run like a well-oiled machine, my blog posts wouldn’t live in draft limbo, and my social media would actually get posted on time (imagine that!).
Discipline would also allow me to take my art beyond survival mode. I’d have the structure and stamina to push toward my big-picture dreams, like raising awareness for endangered species, helping fellow artists thrive, or finally creating the perfect sock collection.
Chill: The Unsung Hero of Creativity
But while discipline gives structure, chill provides fuel for the soul. Flying fish don’t panic about how they’ll land—they just go for it. That’s the kind of relaxed, fearless mindset I want to channel.
Being chill means giving myself permission to step back, breathe, and enjoy the creative process without obsessing over perfection. It’s about finding joy in the messiness of making art—when a pencil smudge turns into an accidental design win or when my toddler “collaborates” by decorating my sketchbook with spaghetti sauce. Chill means not sweating the algorithms, the metrics, or whether my latest post gets five likes or five hundred.
When I’m chill, I let inspiration strike in its own time. Some of my best ideas—like this flying fish design—came when I wasn’t trying to force them. Relaxation fuels creativity in a way no productivity hack can.
Becoming the Flying Fish
So, how do I combine these two seemingly opposing forces? How do I channel the discipline to leap and the chill to glide? If the flying fish can do it, why can’t I?
The key, I think, is balance. I need the discipline to keep showing up for my art, even when life gets busy. But I also need the chill to laugh at myself, to take breaks when burnout creeps in, and to embrace the chaos that makes creativity fun in the first place.
If I can embody this balance, I might just become the thriving artist I dream of being: someone who creates consistently without losing their spark, who sets goals without losing sight of the joy, and who rides life’s waves without losing their nerve.
Accepting the Uncommon Animal
The truth is, I’ll probably always be a work in progress—a slightly chaotic mix of ambition and whimsy. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing. After all, I designed this flying fish to represent the beauty of being uncommon. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about showing up, staying bold, and going with the flow when you need to.
So, here’s to being an uncommon animal: disciplined enough to chase big dreams, chill enough to enjoy the ride, and wise enough to know it’s okay to be a little messy along the way. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a to-do list to tackle—and maybe a nap to squeeze in too.
Kids Book Illustrator Andy C Marshall 