Today, I’d like to talk about something very close to my heart. Many of you know I've been battling long COVID and, currently, a debilitating bout of tinnitus and other neurological symptoms due to concussion. It's a rough road, with sleepless nights and constant challenges. But I'm here to remind you—and myself—that we can still create, still push forward, and still find beauty in the midst of our struggles.
A Beacon of Inspiration: Tom of Finland
I often draw inspiration from Tom of Finland, a true icon who continued to create even in the face of immense adversity. Despite suffering from emphysema and other severe health conditions, Tom never stopped drawing. Towards the latter stage of his life his medications affected his ability to hold a pencil steadily, so he adapted and returned to using pastels. His story is a testament to the power of adaptation and perseverance. Even when the tools we once relied on are no longer available to us, we can find new ways to express our creativity.
My journey has taken a similar path. When my health no longer allowed me to coach the long hours as I once did, I had to pivot. I lost myself headfirst into creating online music and art. It wasn't an easy transition, and it didn't happen overnight. I remember it was nearly a year ago, when I was sat here in my tiny, 19 square meter room. I was terribly ill once again, with COVID for the umpteenth time, facing another Christmas alone. Sick, miserable and worrying about how to keep the rent paid - out here, you only have yourself to rely upon. I have no family to speak of who could help, and of course, no government assistance.
Yet, despite my illness and feeling so poorly, I was determined to attempt to at least celebrate Christmas in a small way. That's when I turned to art and music and decided to create some Christmas videos with vintage nostalgic music and put them up on a small youtube channel.
It was not meant as a project to generate income or even to build a channel. It was just simply something to do to create something beautiful in a miserable place.
My hope was that I could reach out and also lift the spirits of other fellow souls, possibly out there facing similar situations and a Christmas alone. It was also something that I could do in between bouts of needing to collapse in bed. I could sit for a few minutes, create, and then go lie down for an hour or two, then get back up, create some more, lie down again and then come back to it.
To my complete surprise, the channel took off. The video started to resonate with people, and I really felt like it lifted my spirits as much as it was lifting theirs. I continued to create and create and create. I loved the art. I loved the music. It took days at a time for each video, and in the process of doing this, I believe it helped speed my recovery because it lifted my spirits. And our immune system definitely works better when it's not feeling stressed!
Now don't get me wrong, the channel didn't take off and become monetized, best selling or anything else that you might expect I could say here. In fact, it stalled after Christmas! It was just popular for the festive season, but that's not the point. It opened my eyes to potential… for another avenue for me to dive into. And that's where I continued from.
Less Than 12 Months Later…
My projects of Iconic LGBTQ, Tom of Finland and Friends and Alpha Attitude, Muscle and Fitness have all launched. The Red Bubble store and Fourth Wall store expanded to sell artwork from gay artists living with disabilities worldwide, and I've never felt more joyful, despite my precarious situation. Working on all of these initiatives single-handedly (and I do mean literally single-handedly - due to my health condition, I only have the use of my left hand for computer work) is a balancing act. Whilst creating all of this, I still have to find a way to coach in between my health collapsing. Yet, I pushed on.
Again, we're not talking big bucks here. We're talking $2 to $4 profit per sale. At present the income from the sales of artwork might cover my wifi costs for the month. Yet the key is to keep going. Every little step is important, and I'm here to encourage you to do the same. Keep creating. Follow your bliss.
Some of our best sellers in the store.http://www.redbubble.com/people/ItsAKinkThing/shop
The law of attraction teaches us that if we stay true to our vision, we will eventually manifest the reality we seek. My vision is to be generating enough excess profits from the sales of all of our artwork on the stores, so that we can then contribute a percentage of this to other foundations supporting the LGBTQ community worldwide.
No one should have to face the worry or concern about what they do when their health collapses, and they have no family or any support to rely upon.
I also hope to motivate people worldwide to create their happiness, even in terrible situations. Frequently, we say to ourselves, I will be happy when I have achieved X, Y and Z. That, though, is the wrong way round. When you find your happiness now and choose to be happy now, you actually then end up achieving X, Y and Z. It's kind of ironic.
Facing Challenges Head-On
Living in Asia, I've faced not only health challenges but also natural disasters like volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and typhoons. These events could easily derail anyone's creative process. But I've learned that the true test of resilience is to keep going despite the obstacles. My latest video on YouTube, for instance, took nearly a week to complete. I worked until 1:00 AM this Monday to finish it, pouring every ounce of energy I had left into creating something meaningful. I was determined not to let roaring tinnitus and mild concussion stop me. I've also been creating music to accompany the videos. Yes, I'm also a musician, a singer, a songwriter. In addition to everything else, I've also added a sound cloud channel so people can listen to some of the tracks before deciding if they wish to buy the full albums.
By the way, on a quick side note here, when you join me as a Yearly Founding Member here on substack, you get access to all music albums, coloring books, ebooks and motivational content completely free of charge. That's right everything we ever create, whether it be musical, ebooks, poetry, coloring books, It's all included on a special yearly founding members only page here for you to enjoy. That's, of course, in addition to the members only paid for articles and podcasts. Please do consider joining me. 🙏😎⭐
Iconic LGBTQ The Art of Gay Style LGBTQ Culture & Aesthetics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
The Struggle and the Reward
A few of you know there has been two strikes on my YouTube channel, and my original SoundCloud account was deleted, also possibly due to its LGBTQ connection. Those setbacks were disheartening, but they also pushed me to create new channels and keep sharing my work in other ways. In many ways, just like Tom of Finland had to find workarounds.
The latest video, The Love of Leather, which features a clip of Tom of Finland speaking about his art, has resonated deeply with many viewers. People want to be seen and heard, and that's what I, and countless other creatives strive to achieve through our art and music.
To let others know that they are seen and heard and that their voice matters. For me, this is ever more important, to ensure that our community and heritage remains intact in the face of AI bots, censorship and digital deletions happening worldwide. It's worth the struggle to know that you can make a difference and I encourage all of you to do the same, no matter what it is you're facing or dealing with in this world.
Never Stop Creating
It's okay to take a break, to feel overwhelmed, and even to want to quit. But always come back to your passion from a different angle or try something new. Never stop inventing, never stop creating, and never stop being authentically you. The results will come. Fear is just an obstacle in your path that you can overcome. Remember, every piece of art, every written word or track you create, adds to the tapestry of your life and the lives of others. I've created so much stuff that you could call a failure. Yet, I see it as one step nearer to finding what people really do want, or what really will work. It's all about how you choose to look at it. Nothing in life is a wasted experience.
Support and Community
You can listen to some of my soundtracks on SoundCloud and in the videos I've created. If you're moved by the music, feel free to purchase the full album from the store. All proceeds support artists living with disabilities worldwide, and of course, help me keep going. Creating has become the mainstay of how I survive and push forward. Thank you in advance for your support
If the pandemic had not pushed me out of my comfort zone, I might never have discovered this new path. The comments and support from both within and outside the community have been incredibly uplifting. People have been inspired and moved by my work, which is the greatest reward of all.
The Vision and the Mission
People want to be seen and heard, and I strive to ensure that everyone—regardless of their background or identity—is represented. We are all human, relating to one another, fighting our own battles. My hope is that this message motivates you to keep pushing forward. Today, I faced numerous setbacks, but I kept trying. And so can you.
Keep creating. Keep pushing. Keep trying. Keep being you!
Additional Thoughts and Encouragement
As we navigate our creative journeys, it's important to recognize the power of community and shared experiences. Whether you're an artist, a musician, a writer, or just someone trying to live a fulfilling life, know that your efforts are seen and valued. Your story is important, and your creativity can inspire others.
In the face of adversity, it's easy to feel isolated. But remember, you're not alone. There are countless others who are facing similar challenges, and together, we can lift each other up. Share your work, your struggles, and your triumphs. Let your voice be heard, and listen to the voices of others.
The Role of Creativity in Healing
Creativity has a unique ability to heal and transform. It allows us to express our emotions, process our experiences, and connect with others on a deeper level. When words fail, art and music can speak for us. They can convey our pain, our joy, and our hopes for the future.
Practical Tips for Staying Creative
Set Small Goals: Break your projects into manageable pieces. Celebrate each small victory.
Create a Routine: Establish a daily or weekly routine that includes time for your creative pursuits.
Seek Inspiration: Surround yourself with things that inspire you—books, music, nature, other artists.
Stay Connected: Connect with other creatives.
You First: Take care of your physical and mental health. Rest when you need to, and don't be too hard on yourself.
Moving Forward
As we move forward, let's continue to support one another. Share your progress, your setbacks, and your successes. Encourage others and be open to receiving encouragement. Together, we can create a vibrant and supportive community that fosters growth and creativity.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your presence and your contributions make a difference. Let's keep pushing forward, creating, and inspiring each other.
With love and resilience, Coach Adam
Iconic LGBTQ The Art of Gay Style LGBTQ Culture & Aesthetics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
