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For me, while i am not in a super creative job force, the big reason I stopped creating is because I felt immense pressure to create for a profit or recognition from people. I felt like I had to do things to be better or comparable to other creators. and then when I put too much time into it with little result, I would become upset.
What I do now is have the expectation in my head that anything I do, I do it for myself and my own amusement. It’s not to sell something, or to gloat about it social media. I just do it to get the creative energy out.
What I do now is have the expectation in my head that anything I do, I do it for myself and my own amusement. It’s not to sell something, or to gloat about it social media. I just do it to get the creative energy out.
Jan 7, 2025
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this is it!! comparison is the thief of joy as my mum would always tell me 😭
Jan 8, 2025
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🗿And I primarily do it for myself, but hearing that people enjoy things I’ve written is a nice bonus.
I think the act of creation at its base level often stems from a compulsion to externalize and make permanent feelings or ideas that are bouncing around in one’s head because thoughts are so ephemeral like cupping water in your hands, so maybe to create is just pouring it into a glass and looking at it within a contained vessel
I think the act of creation at its base level often stems from a compulsion to externalize and make permanent feelings or ideas that are bouncing around in one’s head because thoughts are so ephemeral like cupping water in your hands, so maybe to create is just pouring it into a glass and looking at it within a contained vessel
Jan 17, 2025
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⚒️This may not at all fit your particular situation. Are you employed? A freelancer? Something else? Do you have a boss or clients? Those are all factors to consider.
One path forward is to reframe to make your labor the reward: the work that you do, not the feedback or recognition from others, is where you draw your satisfaction.
Disconnect any sense of self-worth from the work that you do. When your work is not appreciated, that has no bearing on your value and identity. You are not what others say or don't say about your work.
Consider creating things for yourself only. (In addition to the things created in the work and income and project space.) Develop the practice using your gifts to delight yourself, you'll become less needful and attached to feedback from others.
One path forward is to reframe to make your labor the reward: the work that you do, not the feedback or recognition from others, is where you draw your satisfaction.
Disconnect any sense of self-worth from the work that you do. When your work is not appreciated, that has no bearing on your value and identity. You are not what others say or don't say about your work.
Consider creating things for yourself only. (In addition to the things created in the work and income and project space.) Develop the practice using your gifts to delight yourself, you'll become less needful and attached to feedback from others.
Oct 24, 2024
Rec
🎨First things first: it doesn't matter the quality, the quantity, or the end result. If you create, you're a creative, full stop! Don't tell yourself you're a copier, think of it as adopting little pieces of the things you love and using them as inspiration to drive you. As long as you're not straight-up plagiarizing, there's nothing wrong with using something you love as a stepping stool to grow your own abilities, or as a palette with which you paint your own world.
Also, it's totally normal to feel stuck in a rut, or unoriginal, or to fall out of love with something you've made, or to feel doubt start seeping in. And it sucks! I'm often stricken with the realization that I'm one voice in a sea of millions, and I feel insecure that people will see me as lesser. Or worse: overlook my creations entirely. It makes me lose momentum in my creative process, and makes me feel more disheartened and nervous to put my stuff out there in the first place. "What if I put my heart and soul into this and nobody sees it?" "What if I bleed onto the pages and the consensus is "it's mid"???" "What if I'm wasting my time, and come back in two weeks and think this is utter garbage?" "What if people think it's too close to <other person's work>?"
But then I remember... we're kind of ALL out here, putting our hearts into stuff, trying new things, throwing around ideas, and hoping something sticks. And that's how pretty much EVERY work of art is made! And while it's awesome to get outpourings of support on the things you make, and recognition makes your work feel worthwhile... nothing is going to make you feel more fulfilled than putting your heart and soul into something you're passionate about, and seeing it through to YOUR satisfaction. Ultimately it's not about what other people think, it's about keeping that passion alive in you, and cultivating it so that it never dies.
So what can we do about burnout? Or lack of inspiration? Or when the hope levels are too low? Unfortunately all my "tips" are more abstract than practical step-by-step fixes.
Personally, I recommend steadily and eagerly engaging in the things that you tend to "copy" in the first place. Stop for a moment, and picture the word "enthusiasm." What comes to your mind? What makes you feel that way? Chase that feeling down like it's your most treasured keepsake floating away in wild rapids! Watch shows with artstyles you aspire to. Listen to songs that get you daydreaming. Get out in nature during the sunrise/sunset. Go see animals in a zoo/aquarium, or go people-watching in a mall/park. All the while, don't stop THINKING and MAKING THINGS. Doesn't have to be cute, or fleshed-out, because the beauty is in the moment. Snap candid photos, sketch freehand vignettes of what you see, jot down prose inspired by your surroundings, do whatever you can to keep your momentum without losing the joy associated with it.
The more you let yourself create freely, the more comfortable you'll be in the future when faced with the dreaded Block, the bumps, the discouragement, or anything else that may try to slow you down. And honestly? If you still find yourself stuck, good news: you're still a creative! And that will hold true as long as you desire to be.
TLDR: Don't stop making beautiful things, and if you get to a point where you feel you can no longer make beautiful things, make "ugly" things and surround yourself with things you see as beautiful.
Also, it's totally normal to feel stuck in a rut, or unoriginal, or to fall out of love with something you've made, or to feel doubt start seeping in. And it sucks! I'm often stricken with the realization that I'm one voice in a sea of millions, and I feel insecure that people will see me as lesser. Or worse: overlook my creations entirely. It makes me lose momentum in my creative process, and makes me feel more disheartened and nervous to put my stuff out there in the first place. "What if I put my heart and soul into this and nobody sees it?" "What if I bleed onto the pages and the consensus is "it's mid"???" "What if I'm wasting my time, and come back in two weeks and think this is utter garbage?" "What if people think it's too close to <other person's work>?"
But then I remember... we're kind of ALL out here, putting our hearts into stuff, trying new things, throwing around ideas, and hoping something sticks. And that's how pretty much EVERY work of art is made! And while it's awesome to get outpourings of support on the things you make, and recognition makes your work feel worthwhile... nothing is going to make you feel more fulfilled than putting your heart and soul into something you're passionate about, and seeing it through to YOUR satisfaction. Ultimately it's not about what other people think, it's about keeping that passion alive in you, and cultivating it so that it never dies.
So what can we do about burnout? Or lack of inspiration? Or when the hope levels are too low? Unfortunately all my "tips" are more abstract than practical step-by-step fixes.
Personally, I recommend steadily and eagerly engaging in the things that you tend to "copy" in the first place. Stop for a moment, and picture the word "enthusiasm." What comes to your mind? What makes you feel that way? Chase that feeling down like it's your most treasured keepsake floating away in wild rapids! Watch shows with artstyles you aspire to. Listen to songs that get you daydreaming. Get out in nature during the sunrise/sunset. Go see animals in a zoo/aquarium, or go people-watching in a mall/park. All the while, don't stop THINKING and MAKING THINGS. Doesn't have to be cute, or fleshed-out, because the beauty is in the moment. Snap candid photos, sketch freehand vignettes of what you see, jot down prose inspired by your surroundings, do whatever you can to keep your momentum without losing the joy associated with it.
The more you let yourself create freely, the more comfortable you'll be in the future when faced with the dreaded Block, the bumps, the discouragement, or anything else that may try to slow you down. And honestly? If you still find yourself stuck, good news: you're still a creative! And that will hold true as long as you desire to be.
TLDR: Don't stop making beautiful things, and if you get to a point where you feel you can no longer make beautiful things, make "ugly" things and surround yourself with things you see as beautiful.
Jul 19, 2025
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idk how i came across this in my daily wikipedia surfs, but something about this painting just amuses me so much.
my first impression was this looks fairly modern in a way, possibly because of the composition and how she made her features so light and bouncy. it oddly made me think of disney when i looked for longer. then i see it was made in 1909 😂
this painting can transcend times and i wouldn’t truly know when it was made unless i looked more closely at the objects around the subject. but even that can be a stretch as vintage items can be popular amongst anyone and they can just have their vanity setup look like this.
i tried looking for photographs of her online but alas nothing came up with certainty.
my first impression was this looks fairly modern in a way, possibly because of the composition and how she made her features so light and bouncy. it oddly made me think of disney when i looked for longer. then i see it was made in 1909 😂
this painting can transcend times and i wouldn’t truly know when it was made unless i looked more closely at the objects around the subject. but even that can be a stretch as vintage items can be popular amongst anyone and they can just have their vanity setup look like this.
i tried looking for photographs of her online but alas nothing came up with certainty.
Apr 27, 2025
Rec
i saw something on here a day ago about how fireflies are disappearing and lightly catastrophized the scenario. but then as i regulated myself i looked up an article lightly extinguishing my concerns.
so as i look at the copious little flickers out my window, ill be glad to tell you that while firefly populations are decreasing, some firefly species are adapting to new environments trying to prosper and evolve. big causes for their decline are obvi climate change, urbanization, and light pollution. a simple way for you to not make things bad for the fireflies in your area is to not use pesticides on your lawns if you have them. they spend most of their lives in the ground so it starts at the soil.
additionally, every article i see with the salacious title about “last generation to see fireflies“ seems to be blocking out a lot of things about current firefly populations. most of the fireflies on the IUCN red list they keep mentioning are marked vulnerable or least concern. so there is a possibility a species or more of fireflies may disappear, but all of them i don’t think so.
so as i look at the copious little flickers out my window, ill be glad to tell you that while firefly populations are decreasing, some firefly species are adapting to new environments trying to prosper and evolve. big causes for their decline are obvi climate change, urbanization, and light pollution. a simple way for you to not make things bad for the fireflies in your area is to not use pesticides on your lawns if you have them. they spend most of their lives in the ground so it starts at the soil.
additionally, every article i see with the salacious title about “last generation to see fireflies“ seems to be blocking out a lot of things about current firefly populations. most of the fireflies on the IUCN red list they keep mentioning are marked vulnerable or least concern. so there is a possibility a species or more of fireflies may disappear, but all of them i don’t think so.
Jun 19, 2025
Feb 10, 2025