Artists, writers, filmmakers, singers, fashion designers, graphic designers, photographers, painters...creatives. This term “creative” is a broadly brushed stroke, or umbrella, under which I find myself falling. I’m not sure if it’s self imposed or a title I’ve adopted along the way. But sometimes, I wonder if almost everyone can find themselves under the loosely termed community of creatives. I wonder if this term was used pre social media, and what it meant back then, as the optics weren’t constantly in our faces to put our work “out there” (meaning the internet) for the world’s consumption. We weren’t for others’ consumption. Our work was. I wonder if there was a sense of freedom before social media, before the instant and constant connection. Or, perhaps it was more difficult to be seen and appreciated for the soul enriching, community building creations one tired through.
Most days, it feels like a double edged sword. The (forced) need to keep up. Keep up with the algorithm, which hates long form content - any type of written work. Keep up with looking a certain way, which by nature of being a Woman of Color, the algorithm seems to dislike in comparison to other counter parts. Keep up with trends, which often feel distant, unrelatable, and surface level. To keep up with engagement, which can get exhausting, as the “engagement” ends at the sounds of our thumbs quickly hitting our phone screens. I sometimes wonder if trying to learn more about the world through my own words - and sharing these words - is worth it. But when I get a message, a text, an email, telling me how understood, held, and seen someone feels, I know it is. Or it feels like it is, in that moment.
I’m not sure if we give the art we create enough time to live and breathe within ourselves. If we give too much time in between work, we’re seen as someone who is “Not Doing The Work”. Consumption of our creativity goes down for that period of time. Sometimes we’re forgotten about. Sometimes we’re left behind. Sometimes it becomes harder to break out of the shell. Sometimes we forget who we are, what within us is begging to be released, and poured out into the open.
Having access to the world at our fingertips allows for fellow creatives like myself to share our work (and/or unfiltered thoughts) instantly, without a middleman, is liberating and creates opportunities to meet and connect with others. Access to art has increased all thanks to our digital world. No longer do we have to directly pay, or wait for “exhibitions” or new printed works to release - we have the ability to find art that speaks to us in the comfort of our homes. But, only if we have the privilege to do so. Having the ability to share one’s creative works online also takes an immense amount of courage, self assurance, and some element of not-caring-about-what-others-think. Every time we hit “share”, “send to everyone”, “post”, it feels as though we’re opening the windows to our souls in hopes of holding someone else, without being fully held ourselves.
I wonder if there will be a point in time where both creatives and creativity consumers feel seen and held in equal parts.
I wonder if there will be a point in time where vulnerability is seen as a strength by all, rather than revered by some, admired by a few, and misunderstood by many.
I wonder if there will be a point in time where pursuing the arts is seen as just as important as pursuing medicine, engineering, or law. I wonder if there will be a point in time where creatives are compensated and held in high regard just as their non-creative counterparts.
Without us, we would be void of knowing that We Are Not Alone.
But can’t we all fall under or within all the boxes? Isn’t that the point of this life?
I wonder if there will be a point in time where storytellers - in my opinion Anyone Who Has a Story - feel brave enough to share their stories and teach us what it means to live this life.
I wonder when we will uplift each other regardless of religion, caste, creed, economic status, career, ethnicity, race, appearance.
I wonder when we will begin to collectively seek the truth, and push each other to do so too.
We are all different versions of ourselves, found in each other.
There is something about your writing that just HITS where it needs to hit. I never feel so emotionally connected than when I read your work