Why am I writing this essay?
But does it matter why I do this? Absolutely. Because if I mistake my motivations and I’m fuzzy on my goals, I could end up looking for answers to the wrong questions. Questions like: How many ❤️s did it get? Was it optimized for Google’s search engine? Was it better than an essay someone else wrote? Did Beyoncé like it? Not my problem. This happens when I draw too. I’ll put down my pen, look at the page, and feel … disappointment. What happened to the hair? Why did I use that horrible teal? Who is this even supposed to be? Why can’t I draw fingers? What will Facebook think? Why aren’t I as good as what’s-their-name on Instagram? But none of those were the reason for doing this particular drawing. I sat down to draw tonight because I had a free hour and I wanted to sit in my studio, put on some Coltrane, play with my tempera sticks, and practice drawing like Miroslav Sasek. And I did all of those things. Exactly like I wanted to. Success. But as soon as the drawing was done, those questions crept in. Sharper. Louder. Meaner. Criteria I hadn’t agreed to, but still felt compelled to obey. I ordered chicken paillard and now I’m beating myself up because I didn’t get the haddock. That’s what I try to remind myself whenever I slide into this trap. To focus on not just what I made, but what I meant. Not just where I got, but where I was going. Did it serve the purpose I gave it? Did it scratch the itch I sat down with? Can I be satisfied with just the pure joy of creation? Not everything has to be meaningful or deep. Sometimes the point is just to play. Or to move my hand. Or to be quiet with myself for a while. But whatever the reason, I need to be clear about it. Because when I remember my intention, I judge the result differently. Less like a critic. More like a witness. A partner. A friend. Lately, I’ve been thinking: maybe that’s the only real measure. Not whether the thing I made is good or worthy or impressive— but whether it stayed true to the reason I sat down to make it. If I drew because I wanted to draw, if I wrote because I had something to figure out, then that’s enough. That’s all there is. I forget that all the time. But I’m trying to get better at remembering. Maybe that’s what this whole thing was about. Your pal, Danny |
Each Friday, I send advice, ideas, stories and tips to 25K creative people like you. Author of 13 best-selling books on creativity. Founder of Sketchbook Skool w 50k+ students
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