Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chad Hopson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Chad, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I recently turned 35. I remember telling myself at 15 or 16 that even if you might not know what you want or where you’re going, hold on until at least 35, and by then hopefully, you’ll have everything figured out. I knew I wanted to do something with my creative abilities but didn’t know what it looked like or how to get there. Little did I know that this frame of mind allowed me to accept the fact that trial and error, making mistakes, and trying to figure things out were all part of the process. I gave myself permission to approach things the same way I would if I were on a journey. Reaching the destination never made me happy; there was always something else, some other desire. I realized very early on that I wasn’t happy doing graphic design in the advertising sense (I went to school for advertising and graphic design); I wanted my work to actually have an impact on the people in my life. During that time, I struggled, but I knew what I had signed up for early on. I knew that a regular job would leave me miserable if I didn’t have a creative outlet. It has always been more important for me to find a way to keep my creative side engaged, so even if at some point, I end up working a “regular job,” I’d be fine knowing that I have something outside of that job that engages me creatively, and I’ve found it.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started a brand called So Indifferent when I was in my late teens, struggling with depression. I came across ‘indifference’ while looking for words to describe what I was going through, and it just clicked. I’ve always been a creative person but lost my passion in my teens; my high school didn’t value the arts. I decided to pick up a sketchbook and pencil and started sketching again after years. A few months later, I sketched some designs for a shirt and began making shirts. I noticed that I needed to have a creative outlet; whenever I was stagnant, I’d fall back into depression. That led me to decide to pick up a bass guitar, and a few months later, I joined a band (a mental band at that!). A few years later, I went to school for advertising and graphic design. I struggled to find work after school and decided to continue focusing on pushing myself creatively. What I wanted from the very beginning was to focus my brand around creativity (design, music, acting), community, and mental health awareness. I started a few more clothing lines this time within a collective. We played shows and did art events for a number of years. I got into modeling and acting as a way to push myself and ultimately show myself that despite dealing with depression, I didn’t want to let it stop me from living my life.
Fast-forward to now, I’ve decided to focus on mental health and creativity. The various reference points from my past have taught me a lot about fear and self-doubt. I’ve been able to take those experiences and break them down into bite-size stories for my children’s books, which talk about how to not only overcome fear but also understand it. I think that by taking a step back and observing it, we equip ourselves with the tools to better understand what we’re actually afraid of. Although I’m not in the advertising field (it didn’t align with my value system), I’ve been doing graphic design work for the City of Toronto and working on promoting my second children’s book – ‘The Fear Theory: The Stone.’ This has led to more recent opportunities to speak at schools, showing children the non-linear path of self-discovery.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The day I received the first batch of books for The Fear Theory: The Stone, my social media accounts were deleted. Although I was upset, I quickly realized I wasn’t going to give up on promoting my books. I went back to the traditional way of reaching out to people. I went out and took opportunities that would allow me to share my work, without relying on social media. I didn’t lose myself with the app. Because, although it would have been nice to share the accomplishments, most people didn’t really engage with my work, and the external validation from social media didn’t carry the same weight as meeting someone in person. It allowed me to approach things from a direction that aligned more with my value system. It also acted as a reminder that what I created is MINE, and I won’t have anyone pulling a rug from underneath me because what I created belongs to me. I could never get that feeling of ownership from an app – it’s just a tool. I’m quite happy knowing I have an abundance of tools to rely on, without having to rely on these apps.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.soindifferent.com
- Instagram: @_soindifferent
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC89WAlN44bAw4U1XdEYnsAQ
- Other: www.thefeartheory.com