Cecily Flight is a creative from West Virginia who drove out west and relocated to California.
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What were your favorite parts of the trip? What was the experience like?
Some of my favorite parts of the trip were moments that Jules (my travel partner and beloved friend) and I least expected, such as seeing a wild peacock in the middle of nowhere Missouri or when a potted plant spilled all over the front of my car as we were driving. We both laughed so hard when most people would have been really frustrated with something like that happening. I was really lucky to have her by my side throughout it all because we both are deeply sensitive and loving creatures who value patience when shit goes awry. One night we were able to find a campground in Kansas where the view of the Milky Way was nothing short of spectacular. One day we picked up fresh-squeezed apple cider from a random pumpkin patch along a two-lane highway. One day we were taking nude photos out in nature when we met a nice older man and his dog, Banjo. (We learned the dog’s name after the man turned away, embarrassed, giving us a moment to grab our clothes.) Another day, we found ourselves in a massive dust storm outside Colorado Springs right before I was hired to take photos of someone. We ended up being able to shoot after the storm had passed, but for a moment, I was nervous it wouldn’t happen and I had to leave the next day. Phew. The experience as a whole truly felt like another day in the life of “Miss Take Flight”; I have somewhat of a reputation for taking grand adventures. And to be honest, they don’t come without loads of anxiety. As someone who struggles with anxiety and depression on a daily basis (Anyone know of a good therapist in LA?), going on a cross-country road trip without a real plan gave me a lot of mixed feelings even if half of me was excited to take that leap of faith. I’m beyond grateful, and I can’t say it enough, to have had Jules traveling with me by her own volition to ease my anxious nerves. Friends will always help us get along, and that rings true for that experience. For anyone wanting to go on a cross-country road trip, do not underestimate the beauty of the midwest!
Have you ever had a moment where you questioned your career entirely?
Every day! It’s not easy, and I’m not going to sit back and tell you lies about living as a creator. I question it, but that’s sort of the entry fee when doing something like this. You have to feel the moments of doubt and fear and run with them. I’ll tell you that I questioned my career way more when I wasn’t chasing my dreams as a creator. I’d rather feel the same things while doing something I love than to be doing anything else.
What are some of your long-term plans?
In the long-term, I hope to be taking more photos and honing my photography skills in hopes of having my own studio or general space to make others feel safe to fully express themselves. I also hope to take my camera abroad and explore more of what the world has to offer. My goal posts change each year, and so defining long-terms plans is sometimes a challenge for me. I’m okay with not living within the standards of success that others are living by though and work every day to keep rising out of the mold I’ve been weighed down by for so long.
What advice would you give to a young person wanting to pursue their creative endeavors?
Don’t ghost yourself. Show up in the ways that help you nurture your dreams. Procrastination will kill your dreams. Even if you don’t feel ready to begin working on them, start somewhere, anywhere. You have zero percent chance of living your dreams if you take no action, but if you even take the smallest of actions and keep at it, you’ll at least have a chance. Know that luck is where opportunity meets preparation, spoken by one of my favorite philosophers, Seneca. Also, self-compassion goes a long way. Do the work, but be kind to yourself in the process.
What do you hope viewers and your existing community take away from your art?
Love. Not the romantic kind, but the kind that makes you feel heard, seen, and supported as a human. Love for the human form. Love for our entirely cosmic experience. Love that makes you feel safe. Love that grips your soul. Love allows you to move freely. Love that reminds you you’re not a burden. Love that comes straight from me to you through images and words. If nothing else, take away what makes you a better, more loving human.
The full uncensored pictorial can be found on our patreon!
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