Much like last year, the holidays have got me in an artistic funk. And much like last year, I’ve let that funk keep me from enjoying any sort of creativity as well as enjoying the holidays.
The whole scenario has got me thinking about my own priorities and where the many things in my life lie. In my mind I have the following things that I try to prioritize.
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Wife
Son
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Astronomy
Video Games
– EVE Online
– World of Warcraft
– Everything else
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Writing
Drawing/Painting
Photography
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Continued Education
Striving to excel at what I do
Truth-be-told, since I have started writing or calling myself a writer, most everything on that list has suffered except the family stuff. Now, I’m sure Brad will tell me that if I want to be a writer I have to make sacrifices and I he wouldn’t be wrong. But when I consider that statement and then consider the sacrifices that I need to make, well… frankly, I don’t want to be a writer that much.
The key to the puzzle is, not calling myself a writer but rather, an artist. Is it semantics? Certainly, but the assertion that I am a writer carries the burden of actually writing and doing so with purpose. That is where the problem lies.
There are times when I have some brilliant idea that I simply cannot wait to get on paper. In those moments there is nothing I want to be more than a writer. But when there is no burning story idea that is threatening to burst from me, writing is a chore. A chore that I dread. A chore that I avoid. That avoidance is a source of guilt and to my feeble mind, a sign of failure.
Now, calling myself an artist is different. As an artist I am identified as a creative individual. To take that a bit further, a creative individual who produces some sort of physical or virtual art. But there is no imposed idea of what sort of art. Only that when I have an idea, be it prose, visual or otherwise, I run with it and feed off whatever creative energy is there.
The bottom line is… I don’t want to be a novelist. I don’t want to make a living writing. I don’t think I can make a living as an artist but I am certain that I can harvest the enjoyment of creating something that I think is beautiful in its own way without the soul crushing burden of output expectations. And quite frankly, that is all I desire.
I know that whatever the new year brings for you, I am always a fan of your enthusiasim. Whether it be speaking of your family, photography, writing, etc. Never lose that.
Firstly, thanks for visiting my blog and commenting! Inspiring stuff!
I hope your year is going fantastically thus far. One thing Im tryin to make out of this new year is basically enjoy anything and everything I can.
I finally realized that I dont need to be anything more than just happy and that all it entails is being mindful of the present. Spend as much time just being and enjoying the now.
I draw for fun and actually did it a bit for a living and I noticed I didnt get that much enjoyment. I put so much stress on myself about not being as good as someone else. I feel that writing and storytelling is a level of creativity Ive always wanted to learn but because I was limited with schooling ( 10th grade education..)that I would suck.
Im shedding those thoughts for the smile on my face when I go into that “zone” and into that serene moment of creativity. Then I take that smile with me to the other areas of my life.
Im more eager to work and learn in the little time I do have for it because of that excitement.
If your gonna define yourself and what you want people to know you as, strive for ” the happiest guy on the planet ” It only takes a thought to get you there, and being imaginative is a road map to your destination.
You creating makes a better place for you and those around you and just remember to really enjoy it! Thanks for letting me ramble. Keep on keepin on.