DreamChaser | Bethany Starr Stultz
General Information
Name: Bethany Starr Stultz
Pronouns: she/her
Currently Living: Seoul, South Korea
Education: The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Occupation: ESL Teacher/Artist
In-depth Questions
What dream are you currently chasing?
The dream I am currently chasing is just more of an overall mindset and plan on how to live my life as it is more fully suited to me. Valuing myself and the relationships I have that are healthy and nurturing those. Building what I have into something more stable financially, socially, and familial. So that I can set myself up to do the things in art and with my partner that I want to do now and in the future.
How do you unwind?
Talking to my partner is one of the most common and effective ways I unwind. We’re both big talkers but it’s easy to get lost in conversation with him and just both feel very comfortable no matter what kind of feelings are brought into conversation. No matter how difficult the topics are because when we speak we speak to listen and understand each other's feelings first.
“Sometimes you do need to change your surroundings and start from a vulnerable place to see what you’re truly made of and what your potential is.”
Can you share your proudest achievement?
I’m not sure I can pick just one honestly. So it would have to be between realizing I do have a passion for teaching no matter the form and leaning into ways I can be better at that while still being inspired by art. As well as being proud of that I have exhibited my artwork here in Korea as well as become a published writer for various art magazines too.
What’s the biggest obstacle you have faced trying to achieve your goals?
Myself? It’s a painfully honest answer but I have to constantly work on not limiting myself from doing the things I want and am capable of. It’s something I am consistently working on improving. I sometimes get stuck in my feelings of anxiety and it keeps me from making physical steps forward when it comes to certain goals and life stages I want to make progress in.
Can you tell us one time you failed and when you learned from that failure?
In a way I fail a lot and I know that’s how I learn how to be a better person. As an artist, it’s pretty easy to feel like you’re constantly failing when it comes to societal standards but also the ones we set for ourselves in order to attain success.
Before coming to Korea, I considered what and how I was approaching art as a failure. Mostly because I was not producing the things I wanted to or able to financially create the things in which I had ideas for. Moving was a huge risk but I ended up finding a place that taught me that failing one place doesn’t mean you’re going to fail everywhere. Some places, some things, and some people aren’t suited for you but that doesn’t mean all places are like that. I got to escape an extremely toxic environment and start healing deeply in order to focus on a life that valued me and my worth and the things I can do and give.
Now I’m not famous nowhere close even but I do feel more capable of handling what life gives me and that feeling has inspired me to go out and try more opportunities and in turn I am now doing several things that I wanted to do but never dreamed of before like writing in art magazines and having art exhibitions. Sometimes you do need to change your surroundings and start from a vulnerable place to see what you’re truly made of and what your potential is.
What do you hope people will take away from your story?
That it’s ok to start over and it’s ok to fail. Finding comfort is something that is ok to look for and we don’t always have to live in extremes. We don’t have to be madly in love, normal in love can be passionate. We don’t have to be the most, best, greatest anything because we can be amazing in many ways. Or we can be beautifully not amazing at many things and that’s also beautiful.
How do you get inspired or motivated?
Honestly, taking risks like moving to Korea inspires me. In the middle of the pandemic I lost one of the most important people in my life. They encouraged me to come here in the first place because they knew the impact of how it would change my life. Thinking about how hard that must have been for my mother to say as a mother wanting her child close while at the same time wanting the best for me inspires me to do better, be better, and also reach for the goals I have. Without her inspiring my whole life I don’t know if I’d be anywhere close to where I am but I know for a fact that she is why I am here. Had she not told me to come I would have come anyways but the fact she encouraged me has since then pushed me to take more risks and chances on myself. Life, love, stability are all things I’ve focused on since moving here and honestly those are often the riskiest things in life for a person. I’m making my own path but I know she’s giving me a guiding hand along the way.
Anything else you want people to know?
It’s ok to mess up, it’s ok to feel all the worst emotions, but it’s in how we use that to help keep us moving. Being sensitive isn’t a bad thing, it’s a tool we can use to navigate through life and it’s also how we feel the most beautiful things in life.
To support Bethany and see her art, follow her
Instagram: @bethanystarrstultz
