We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Karamvir Bhatti a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Karamvir, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
I just recently quit my full-time job to pursue being a full-time creative! Leaving your safety net and having faith in yourself & the universe is not easy at all. It requires a lot of commitment and discipline to make it happen. I had to sacrifice what I spent my money and energy on. I have had to pick some odd jobs here and there but I have been able to meet some wonderful people through the process. As scary as it was initially, it became very freeing to face each of my fears and know that I can do anything I set my mind to. I do wish that I felt this confidence sooner rather than later but I do believe everything happens when it is meant to!
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 spent about 9 years working at a non-profit before I understood my need for creativity. I was someone who worked very hard day after day but felt a huge void in my life. I have always known that I was meant to do more but I hadn’t figured it out for some time. I ended up enrolling myself in a graphic design program and then signing with a modeling agency the year after. It quickly opened up so many doors to new ways of being. I have the honor of simply being myself and getting paid for it. As a first-generation Indian-American, that is a dream that I never even thought possible.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I believe everyone is able to be creative. To me, being creative is the same as being spiritual. My decisions may not always make sense to other people. Flowing from project to project and allowing myself to play is important to keep myself stimulated. I think those who haven’t tapped into this side won’t always understand the need to get out of routine and abandon all plans. The need to burn things to the ground to have the opportunity to start over.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn survival mode. I grew up in a tiny studio with my family and my parents always made sure that I understood the merits of working hard, excelling, and financial security. As a result, I went to school, got straight A’s, and became an honors student. I also acquired my first job at the age of 13 to help my family pay bills.
What I didn’t know was that I had undiagnosed learning disabilities so everything felt so much harder. I ignored how I burnt out I was at such a young age. At 21, I graduated college and got my first full-time job, but I felt very restless. I wasn’t able to enjoy the smaller moments in life because I wasn’t taught to be present. When I made the decision to pursue my creative fields, I finally understood how deeply in survival mode my family and I were. It’s taken some years to unlearn that and I know I have some ways to go but I am thankful I am at least here.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.karamvir.co
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bykaramvir
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bkaramvir/
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bykaramvir
Image Credits
Lydia Hudgens Rashida Zagon Mali Stanley Denmark