These irrational yet so big fears are real AF. What am I gonna write about? Why would anyone read what I have to say? Is it worth it? I don't even like writing that much, do I? What if I say something stupid? What if I ran out of ideas? And I could keep going for hours.
The thing is that, as creatives beings, we struggle a lot with the concept of originality. And it's no surprise! After all, we grew up believing creators actually create from nowhere. So, when it's about time we start recognizing ourselves as creatives, we get paralyzed.
How can I be creative if I can't create something new?
This belief ended up killing all creativity in me. Back when I was little, I used to draw, and experiment a lot. I spent hours between the pages of coloring books, signed up for every art class I could (well, my mom did but I insisted), saw one of my canvases hung on the wall of my house for years, and I even remember attending some kind of art contest with my friends, Bia and Titi.
What I'm saying is creativity, in the art form, was fully present during my whole childhood, but as I grew older that spark became almost inexistent. I used to have creativity bursts that ended up completely wasted. I buried my paintings in drawers and my art supplies in a box.
In 2013, I decided to get a B.A. in Communications back in Caracas, my hometown. I couldn't tell what made me choose that career because actually, I dreamed of being a veterinarian. The thing is I'm basically allergic to life, so I figured out if I dedicated myself to saving dog's lives maybe I would have died from allergies first. So, I like to think this career chose me with the clear purpose of guiding me back to art.
Around 2016, I finally experienced the Adobe Suite. I started with InDesign and quickly picked up Illustrator. I got obsessed. Trying new things day and night, attended certified courses on how to use Illustrator and Photoshop, and all I know is that same year I had my first client.
Of course, now I look back and realize I had no idea what I was doing. I remember feeling frustrated because I didn't understand how to make an exceptional, professional, amazing, and (her me out!) original logo. It was like some unsolvable puzzle.
Thank God for that same year, I discovered Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon. This unbelievable piece of art made me understand the truth underneath it all.
"Nothing is original" is written on page 7. Yes, page seven. I was shocked. I wish I could go back to my younger self who read those words for the first time, but I'm sure she was left completely mindblown. It's something so obvious, yet so hard to believe: nothing is completely original.
I agree with Austin. This nothing-is-original-truth filled me with joy and hope. It set me free from my limiting beliefs about creativity: that it is this magical gift that only a few possess. Instead, Kleon encouraged me to embrace influence, and learn from it.
That year, that book, that moment changed everything. I committed myself to understand what creativity was, and made my own opinion about it. In my journey, I discovered creativity is more like a muscle than a gift. It required practice, patience, and more than anything: courage.
Creativity is a vulnerable act. (Warning: You will hear this from me A LOT). I do not doubt this. The most creative people I know are the ones who embrace their amateurishness, emotions, and imperfections. The American author Brené Brown explains this really well in her Ted Talk The power of vulnerability. So please, go check it out once you're done reading this.
After years and years of research, she concluded that people who embrace vulnerability have the willingness to do something where there are no guarantees. That said, it is no surprise that vulnerability is the birthplace of creativity. Because the truth is when we create from the bottom of our hearts we just don't know the outcome of it. Especially these days, when we are so exposed through social media.
People are going to love, hate or just be completely indifferent towards what we do. The most unhappy ones will attack us, the most whole-hearted ones will cheer for us, and some will just pass by. And all of that is okay. We can't control the outcome, we are only responsible for showing up every day, and doing our thing.
That being said, please, start your own blog. Because life is short. Because your view on life matters. Because only you can talk about your experiences. Because you deserve connection. Because I want to know your outlook on life and what I can learn from you.
But, remember: We can do none of this meaningfully without committing ourselves to vulnerability, authenticity, and tenderness. So the real question here is: are you willing to?
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