In this open discussion episode, host Jen Van Horn leads a conversation about self-identity, authenticity, and the pressures motion designers face to mask their true selves, with insights from Kendall Hotchkiss, Lee Smalt, Moe Murdock, Sam J, Landon X. Jenkins, and Cameron Butterfield.

This episode covers:

• Mental health and self-identity: How disconnecting from your creative identity during layoffs or industry changes can be catastrophic for mental health, with discussion of practices to maintain authentic creative habits
• Job security myths: Why full-time positions aren't truly stable since employees are ultimately numbers to companies, and how freelancers often develop better resilience through managing multiple client relationships
• AI as masking tool: The concerning trend of creatives using AI to craft opinions rather than developing authentic perspectives, with warnings about AI providing false information to please users
• Gender dynamics in creative work: How women in motion design face unique challenges with over-apologizing, downplaying expertise, and balancing confidence with authenticity in professional settings
• Scarcity mindset dangers: How fear-based decision making leads to over-promising on deadlines and saying yes to wrong projects, requiring conscious checking of motivations
• Practical authenticity exercises: Ten actionable steps for maintaining creative authenticity including truth sketches, honoring creative instincts, sharing works-in-progress, and creating art not meant for posting

Upcoming Events:

Next week: Open discussion format for November planning

Visit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community!

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