Creativity can be control

After creating a lot of content for other people and places, and just working to make others shine, I broke away from such a hustle and have had more time to do my own thing. And I've realized that always following others' wishes can lead to a feeling of a lack of control. 

But life doesn't have to totally be all that. Creating something that comes from within is very satisfying, and no one can take that away or dictate what to do. We often have to follow what others say or conform to the group, but creating is just about what we want to express, and doing that gives us control.

We can post something online and may never get feedback, but at least it's what we've created. The problem is when it enters the marketplace and has to be assessed. Then the power isn't only ours anymore. The public has control, and a negative or apathetic response can mean failure, and a sense of hopelessness. But if we're just doing something that is totally unique to us, from us, we are the control; we don't need externals. 

Of course, if we get success, that's fantastic because it is validation of our efforts. But many times we don't get approval or attention, so just spending time in that independent slot within our lives is enough to break us free from dulling external effects.

I find it hard to always be motivated, but when I think about the power of creating, that can be the motivation, because "real artists ship."

p.s. the e-book version of my debut novel is still at Amazon, and the price for the print version has been reduced: buy at the Eckhartz Press site.