WePresent is a curated online experience by the file sharing service WeTransfer filled with “unexpected stories about creative minds.” Their outstanding series Manifesto invites creatives and activists from around the world to share 10 rules to live by. Since its launch, readers have received life advice from Playgrounds for Palestine founder Susan Abulhawa, activist and Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova, Black Lives Matter founder Patrisse Cullors, and more.
The manifestos feature original artwork alongside the 10 rules to live by—some hand-drawn, others 100% digitally created, each totally unique and beautiful enough to turn into a framed poster.
Here are five of the best bits of advice from the project thus far (subjectively selected by me).
1. “I Am Good Enough: I accept that the alternative to perfection isn’t failure, and that adequacy is an achievement to be celebrated. I am content with being ‘ordinary,’ recognizing that it contains the best life.” —Alain de Botton
2. “When you feel burnt out, or if you’re shutting down and want to hide, do the opposite. Reach out to your community, friends and family. If you don’t, you risk being trapped in a downward spiral leading to a bottomless pit.” —Nadya Tolokonnikova
3. “Writing will make you a person. Prove you exist by putting yourself into words.” —Fontaines D.C.
4. “Be willing to be wrong, to learn, and to grow. Being a freedom fighter is a practice. We are born into a white supremacist, heterosexual-patriarchal, capitalist culture, and it will take work to unlearn those things. Be patient with yourself and others.” —Patrisse Cullors
5. “Creativity is born from the unknown, the uncomfortable, and unpredictable. Go there, where darkness is greatest.” —Susan Abulhawa
