For creative people, it can sometimes be hard to create. The act of creating, in whatever field it is in which you find yourself, is limited by a multitude of barriers: from social stereotypes, to financial implications, to simply having enough time to practice your craft; and involves an unleashing of emotion in the process of forging each project.
Whether you are a writer, a painter, a dancer, a fashion stylist, a baker, a film director, a photographer, graphic designer, composer, musician, or a screenwriter, we are all faced with the uncertainty of making our creative passions a life long exercise.
Regardless of whether you are dreaming of making your creative outlet a full time job, or simply nurturing your creative passion as a hobby, there are a number of things that may deter each of us from continuing.
The barriers that many of us face (which there is so many of that it would cover a whole separate newsletter), often stop us in our tracks, forcing us to question whether being creative is a sustainable passing of time.
We may be deterred from painting again after a family member has judged our latest piece, or may develop an aversion to writing another poem because a friend who read your latest Haiku said, “I just don’t get it”.
You may have accrued a great team of camera crew, directors, costume designers, MUAs, musicians, and actors to film your new script as a short film, just for production to drop it mid-shooting.
The negative feedback from an editor on your first 50 pages of your new novel; the generic email titled ‘unsuccessful’ from a publisher in response to your submission of six poems; the phone call from the popular wine bar regretting to inform you that they no longer wish to use your graphic design services for their marketing.
Whatever it is that momentarily stumps you, stops you in your tracks, and makes you question your creative inclination, you may feel the urge to just give up.
This is your reminder not to.
Reassess the situation. Celebrate the positives from each creative endeavour, and learn from the short-fallings. Take what someone has said about your work as fuel to continue on your artistic path, whatever that looks like for you.
Whether you are striving for perfection, to make a full time career on your creative outlet, or simply to develop your creativity as a hobby: you should keep going.
“You are never defeated unless you quit trying”, Bohdi Sanders.1
If you feel truly passionate about and aligned with your creative expression, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be creating.
People will always have something to say about something that is inherently creative. As art and artistry leans more towards subjectivity, of course the final product is open to a multifaceted realm of opinion and critique. Just because some people who are more inclined towards the objective fields of science and mathematics ‘don’t get it’, does not mean that you shouldn’t continue to create.
Let whoever think whatever about your creativity and artistic projects. Produce the work that feels honest and true. Be yourself in your creativity.
Continue to create and the opportunities and experiences will be endless.
What happens when you choose curiosity over perfection? You reject the ingrained notion of caring about the perception from yourself and society on the work you have created. And the work is often better.
Keep working at your craft. Keep learning and growing. Keep listening to your intuition. Keep noticing the world around you. Keep accepting inspiration. Keep welcoming feedback, specifically the type serves you and your creativity (yes, there’s an important difference).
Let whoever think whatever.
“The superior man’s self-worth is not dependent on the opinions of others”, Bohdi Sanders.2
In case you missed it…
Here are three recent newsletters from Write Me Some Poetry that you may have missed or may have been lost in your inbox.
A note from the author (me).
Thank you for reading this week’s newsletter of Write Me Some Poetry . I am so happy to have you here. I share new insights and thoughts on poetry/writing, life, and living every Monday. I would love for you to share more of this journey with me. I would sincerely appreciate it if you consider subscribing to Write Me Some Poetry if you aren’t already, and to consider pledging a monthly amount if you are already subscribed. Help keep a writer’s dream of become a full time writer alive.
Bohdi Sanders, Modern Bushido: Living a Life of Excellence
Bohdi Sanders, Men of the Code: Living as a Superior Man
Thank you Charlotte, I needed this more than ever 🤍
At the start of the year, I had three freelance clients lined up after building up my work since I began in March last year. It was something I’d dreamed of for a long time, and was going to help keep me afloat and provide for my family on my maternity leave from my day job. When completely out of the blue, one by one they all cancelled. I know it isn’t a reflection of the work I’d done for them (not great timing on their sides), however, it felt so disheartening — such a punch to the stomach. It’s left me worried financially, along with doubting myself and my words. I know in hindsight that it’s just the universe’s way of making space for a better opportunity to arrive, although some days I can’t help but doubt my work now.
Hey thanks, that was helpful.