On creativity

What good are we doing for ourselves by thinking of and wondering what others will think of us? I genuinely do not care.

We all have a desire to create. As children, we love creating and being creative. As we grow older, we start to suppress these creative tendencies. Is this an effect of the Western world? Could very much be, but I am not in any position to come to such a conclusion. Even in my creative workplace, I see too many times that my coworkers want to be more creative, but they suppress the creativity for whatever reason—they lose interest, or someone interferes with their creative process. Like many adults, the creative feelings or tendencies are suppressed. Why? I call them excuses; not enough time, want to make money, the feeling to justify it. There is never a need to justify creativity. It is part of our human nature.

I know I’m weird, and I don’t understand other people at all; I just do not comprehend suppressing creativity. To me, it is almost like not preparing for something you know is coming. Why suppress creative desire? Sure, something might cost money, but such is the society we live in. Everything else that brings you joy costs money—travelling, drinking, eating out. So why is creativity all of a sudden something people are not willing to spend money on? I’ve read many [personal finance] books that preach that money should only be spent on appreciating assets or on expenses that will increase your income. There is no doubt that being creative creates many positive impacts on the body and your mind, which are arguably the most important income-generating assets you have. Myself, I’m currently falling into the same trap of trying to justify it. Whether a creative habit makes money or not, just creating or sharing any sort of ideas suffices.

I recently came across this YouTube creator, a first-generation Canadian-Sri Lankan now living in New York. He often posts videos about being a creative adult. Albeit it is his job, he makes it approachable to the regular person, while also appealing to a desire of maintaining a refined image. Rajiv speaks a lot about being creative, placing yourself in the arts or the urge to act on ideas as soon as they come to you to prevent any sort of barrier or time to allow yourself to attempt to justify it and fall into the same rut of not actually doing it. He goes on to say, “When you’re struck with a creative inspiration, make that inspiration into a creative act.” And I could not echo this sentiment anymore. Any time more barriers are created, you are not going to be creative. The sole purpose of being creative is to make yourself happy and enjoy the time that you are spending on this earthly existence.

Lots of people also often feel the need to judge others for being creative. I’m sure I’ve told my coworkers, “Oh, I’ve done this, and I enjoyed it,” and they’ll question me, “Where is the money in this?” My response is almost always the same—because I wanted to, because I had the idea, so I did it. Nothing was stopping or limiting me. I just did. Then, after the fact, I think back, why do these questions seem so… judgmental, so… rude? This will often happen with other people in my life; they’ll say the same things, in different words, speaking about how other people will judge you and force you to put forth a false version of yourself. But this is so damaging, destructive, and disturbing to me. What good are we doing for ourselves by thinking of and wondering what others will think of us? I genuinely do not care, or even think of what others think, until someone else brings it up. My hopes, desires, and joys have literally no effect on others, at all, under any circumstances, unless they are directly involved in it. Genuinely, what use is it to think about what others think when they are not involved with it?

Even still, people feel the need to interrupt you or provide their opinion on your work. I cannot count how many times I’ve had friends drag me out for drinks during the time I set aside for my creative tasks. Sometimes, I even interrupt it myself, telling myself there will be another moment, another evening, another day where I’ll sit down and return to it. But those moments are never guaranteed. Creative time is fragile, and once it is broken, it is difficult to return to the same headspace, the same intention. Each interruption chips away at the importance I claim this work has to me. If I truly value creating, then I have to start protecting it, even from myself. Not every invitation needs to be accepted, not every opinion needs to be heard, and not every moment needs to be shared. Some things are meant to exist quietly, without explanation, without justification. Creativity is one of them.

Happy adventuring,

Ahmed

Things I’m Enjoying at the Moment

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge: This book, while written in 2017, is the first piece of writing I have read that eloquently puts my recent experiences of racism into words. If you had asked me 10 years ago, I’d have said that this book is wildly different from my personal experiences, though now, as the world’s politics have been changing and evolving, this book is very relatable.

Pilot G-Tec-C4 Pens: I love a nice pen. These pens aren’t nice; they are whatever is better than nice. such fine pens, such a fine nib, such a fine barrel. Just a lovely experience.

Notes from Elo: A new Substack created by a creator that I very much enjoy her style and content.

sorry, no recipe this time!