To pivot or to persevere? Or more bluntly – to give up or to not to give up? This is a haunting question, a question that has ramifications far after an answer has been chosen and it’s also a question that almost everyone in our community has had to face at one time or another. How do you know when to give up and when to keep trying?

Jemima Wyman | Artist

I went to art school in Brisbane, Australia in the 90’s. I had a moment after graduating where I realized if I stopped making work I wouldn’t be an artist. It’s a super simple realization but it scared me because I was just beginning and I realized it was my responsibility to generate the entire practice myself. I guess that initial thought propelled me to never stop making and never give up because I identify so strongly with being a contemporary artist and find it so rewarding. My art practice spans 25 years now and there are so many options generated from that history of making, that new work feels like it almost grows by itself, with its own momentum, so I keep going. Read more>>

Jordan Roselli | Music Producer, Engineer and Studio Owner

This question hits home for me… I’ve been struggling with mental illness my whole life and there are times in your life, career, or relationship when everything in your body is telling you to give up. You see no way out and think that giving up is easier. Shit is gonna happen. Regardless if you want it to or not. You could prepare for everything and shit is always going to hit the fan…It’s not about “if”, it’s about “when”. And it’s not about the shit that happens. It’s about how you handle it. Read more>>

Nana Razaia | Singer-songwriter, Recording Artist, and Creative Director

The concept of giving up isn’t something I entertain, I rather change my plans and consider new approaches. One of the things I learned this year was that we have all the answers we need. We can look for them outside of us, but if we ask ourselves and listen, we can find what we’re looking for. That’s a practice I do often now. I used to overthink so much about which decision was the right one that I started to feel like I was losing control over my destiny. That’s a scary place to be. I regained control over my life when I realized that my mind is a powerful force and I will always be led to my answer. Read more>>