Why You’ve Stopped Creating (and What to do About it)

Here are the questions (wrapped in finite statements) I often here from people about creating (answers in red to follow): 

Q’s —

1. It’s scary. 
2. It’s unprovable that you know what you’re talking about, that you’re the best. 
3. Your future creation is going to take forever because you have a boyfriend, you have children, you have very needy pets, or you have a case of the sniffles today You don’t have time.
4. How would you ever bring your creation to market? What will people say? What if they don’t like it? What if they laugh in your face?
5. Other people are born with the creative gene. You’re not good at anything.

A’s —

1. It’s scary. 
   Hell yes, creating is scary. But you know what’s more scary? Giving up, giving in, and settling for a vapid life that doesn’t include the essence of your true self. 
   
   
2. It’s unprovable that you know what you’re talking about, that you’re the best. 
   See: 
   • Galileo Galilei (the Sun does not revolve around the Earth)
   • Bill Gates (anyone can own a PC that doesn’t take up space in an entire room)
   • Louis C.K. (getting his comedy in front of the masses without a middleman)
   • Mom’s Mabley (being a black lesbian comedienne in the 1930’s)
   
   
   All of these folks were unproven and came from humble beginnings.
   
   
3. Your future creation is going to take forever because you have a boyfriend, you have children, you have very needy pets, or you have a case of the sniffles today You don’t have time. 
   You make time for the things you want in your life. Simple enough. Find time at 6a.m. before the kids are up. Do something during your lunch break. Cut out that extra half hour of watching One Life to Live on Hulu. Something (it can be small) needs to be sacrificed on the altar of creativity.
   
   
4. How would you ever bring your creation to market? What will people say? What if they don’t like it? What if they laugh in your face? 
   Worrying never solved anything. Ask questions from the people who you think would benefit from your creation. Don’t go into the situation blindly or without some kind of a map. *Note at some point your “road map” will not be of any use to you except for the beginning and end points of your journey.
   
   
5. Other people are born with the creative gene. You’re not good at anything.  
   Bull-dookie. From an environmental standpoint some people were surrounded with creative situations at an early age. BUT everyone has something they’re good at. Some people are good at creating experiences, some are good at putting together events, some can write a sonnet, while others sculpt clay into statues.

It’s much easier to be a big fish in a small pond, to play it safe. But do you really want to swim with all that gunk floating around in that small pond? Free yourself.  Create something. Lean on others to help you with your creation, to grow your strengths and shore up your weaknesses. Do so and: watch your mind expand, see your life experience become richer, then thank yourself for helping the world become a better place.