Does It Take Five Seconds To Understand Someone?

Isn’t it ironic that when you scroll through the comments on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, wherever, you’ll find that most people think they know someone based on a five-second video? Not to say they actually know them, but they’ll comment as if they do. As if a person’s entire life and experience can be summarized in that one clip.

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The reality is, most people change every day. We’re a collection of every thought and experience we’ve ever had. Every new day shifts us into someone slightly different. Unless, of course, you’re in that rare group of people who never change or grow. In that case, maybe a five-second video does sum you up. But for the rest of us, it doesn’t even come close.

It’s like when you later find out someone was struggling with abuse or hardship, even though you’d watched hours of their content. People feel guilty for not spotting it. But how could they? You and I will never truly know what Sarah is up to, except for the pieces she chooses to share.

The truth is, when you create an opinion about someone else based on a glimpse, a video, a post, a story, you’re really creating that opinion out of your own experiences, not theirs. That’s ego at work. And not the “selfish, arrogant” ego we usually think of. I mean the deeper kind. The identity we’ve built over a lifetime. The way we say, “This is who I am. These are my morals.” And yet, other people’s egos, shaped by completely different lives, will never match our own. That disconnection, where we think we understand but don’t, is what makes us all so different.

That brings me to me. I want to start sharing more of my own world and experiences. I’ve been working on a series since December, and I’ve finally started releasing it on Instagram and Facebook (shout out to my 35 Facebook followers). In doing so, I’m learning to be comfortable with the fact that people will still make up their own stories about me. And that’s okay, because it has nothing to do with me.

I’m still just a person with an ego, trying to let go of it. That means letting go of insecurities too. Some insecurities no one else will ever point out. You just have to discover them yourself and choose to change.

So that’s where I’m at. I’m becoming gentler with my body, learning how to protect myself, and focusing on being a decent connection for others. Someone who doesn’t harm, but grows. It’s not easy. But changes are coming, and you’ll see them slowly. Hopefully without too many complaints from me along the way.

So although I haven’t been posting much on Instagram this year, behind the online activity there’s still a real person creating real experiences. I wanted to reconnect with that part of myself, so I could have a full 360 view of both online and in-person connections that will carry my career and my mind further along the way.

In the past couple of months, I’ve kept you updated on my exhibitions. I’ve been doing at least one a month, which has been hard work but rewarding to say the least. Through that, I’ve learned a lot about how artists are treated, what it really takes to get yourself out there, and even how to start conversations about art. Most importantly, I’ve learned that your work will not sell itself. You can be highly skilled, but unless you push your art forward, people will walk by with a smile and keep moving without a second thought.

Some of the most rewarding exhibitions have been with art curators. The Montreal Art Center and Museum, for example, was a great opportunity to not only meet artists who truly care but also to make a couple of sales. That was a huge relief—it showed me that real places for art will actually put in the effort to support you, rather than leaving you to do all the heavy lifting alone.

I’ve also been having conversations with people about my next steps. On a practical level, I’ve been considering larger canvases and pushing my work into new formats. But on a bigger scale, I’ve been thinking about building a real community for artists—especially for those who don’t know where to start or who feel stuck. I’d love to create a space that not only provides connections but also real tools and support for each artist. And I don’t want it to be limited to visual artists. I see how much we all struggle financially, and I know how important it is to find people who can leave an impact on your journey—not just for a moment, but for the rest of your creative life.

Camille B.