Indie Love - You May Need More Colour

Yes, this is an Indie Love article about race.

More Colours by Szeretlek_Ma

Call me crazy but I think if you are falling flat in loveland you should try getting out of your bubble, as far out as you fricken can, and you should do so by aiming for people and events that are culturally different than your own. If you are not finding love hon, part of the problem is you, and that can mean a lot of things but one of them is likely to be that you have some part of your mind that needs shaking out and expanding. Watch yourself to see who you instinctively turn on the flirt for, and see if you can get over any fears or blockages that might keep you from turning on the flirt in other, potentially more exciting, directions. Talk to people who intimidate or fascinate or elicit any strong reactions in you.

What you’re aiming for is an opportunity to learn something; knowledge and a willingness to learn are both helpful in hooking into others and finding love, I swear, plus “the other” is inherently sexy, so you might also get laid for your efforts. Should I have said that?

The thing is, humans on the whole are not likely to know they are being racist. We have a neat brain trick that tends to rationalize and build narratives around our decisions long after we’ve already, unconsciously, made them. We make up reasons why we smell burnt toast (and can have need for our own emotional versions of the “Montréal Procedure.”) We are so good at creating our reality it can mean we inadvertently close ourselves off to love (or artistic collaboration) with people who think in ways totally different to our own, or who look different.

If you are lacking in love or creative synergy, if your relationships seem to flail after a while, if you cannot get out of a rhythm and rut and into the real-life dream of real love, look hard at yourself.

Are you typing people, even jokingly (and I don’t just mean by race but by style as well - “hot, not, emo, hiphop, indie, hipster?”) Do you ever stubbornly embrace the fact that you’re set in your opinions? Do you feel yourself mentally dismiss people; or alternately, do you feel you are often clicking into versions of the same debates? Any of these things can indicate you’ve grooved yourself into a pattern, and it’s going to take some kind of new momentum to get out of it.

Fortunately, we’re alive, we have energy inside us to burn: with a new idea trained by new habits we can create new momentum all on our own (independently! Almost.) One way to start is by getting out of your usual daily circuits, and one way to do that is to seek new colours in life. Engage respectfully with people of cultures or subcultures other than the ones you’re already used to. Try to shake some new thoughts into your mind, bud, and I swear you will meet new people, and even if they’re not The One you’ll be better suited to being the kind of person someone might love. If you’ve been raised to this, it’ll seem obvious, but if not, don’t worry, you can do it! And it’ll be worth it.

Sunset Colours by Gifted Gourmet

I believe that branching out will strengthen your ability-to-love muscle, and make your experience of your own world extra love-coloured. Which will also (side benefit) make you a better artist.

True? Too simplistic? Tell me what you think…

ps- I am Danish, Scottish, English, Irish, Iroquois! Love me!