Finding Fulfilment through Creativity
There’s something about revisiting a creative pursuit that feels quite cathartic. For me, picking up my camera again and committing to practising photography for me was the best thing I ever did.
With a background in digital marketing, I spent most of my years in a 9-5pm role like most of us. My passion for creativity had always been there, nudging me as a first thought upon waking up and right before sleep. I’d be using an excel spreadsheet thinking about all the different ways I could make it colourful. While I am good at analytics and numbers, I couldn’t deny that I felt that I needed something more.
I bit the bullet and decided 2023 would be the year I spent more time creating over consuming. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through social applications or binge-watching TV shows, I wanted to spend my time creating things that bring me joy and fulfilment — so I could look back and see where all the time really went.
But what did it mean for me to create more than I consumed — what did I really need to do? To me, it meant focusing on the things that truly mattered and dedicating my time and energy to those pursuits. It meant writing more; journalling and starting this blog. Reading more; I HIGHLY recommend Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Drawing more; actually handwriting or drawing my graphics instead of using digital platforms. It meant exploring my creativity in brand new ways, using my time in a way that felt meaningful and purposeful. Pushing myself to try new things and take risks, even if they scared the heck out of me.
But this journey was never really just about me. I wanted to also find a way to inspire others to find their own path to fulfilment through creation (whatever that may be). I’ve always wanted to help other people and have been pretty conscious about what I put out into the world, but I never really knew how to go about it.
Define What ‘Creating’ Means to You
My first clueless tip to finding fulfilment (Note: the term clueless is used, because I’m really not perfect, and no one is, so I’m going to straight up admit to that). Are you planning to write more, draw more, cook more, or something else entirely? By defining what you want to create, you'll have a clearer idea of what actions to take and what you want to put out into this world.
I’m currently reading “Ikigai” by Hector Garcia and Francesca Mirailles where they explore the concept of Ikigai and what it means to truly live. This is where doing what you love, what you’re good at, what you get paid for and what the world needs all overlap, meaning that each day is infused with meaning and you have a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It’s filled with good stuff, and well worth the read.
Set Specific Goals
We hear about goal-setting all the time. One of my goals is to continually commit to writing to you all every two weeks. Will I do it? Perhaps. Will all of you be here to read it? Maybe… maybe not.
That’s the thing about goal-setting, it’s a commitment. And if you are really passionate about putting something into action, you’ll find a way. I’ve found vision boards to be really helpful for me — seeing something visual on my wall each day reminds me of where I want to be and where I’m headed. However, everyone’s different so do what works best for you.
Prioritise Your Time
To create more than you consume, you may need to prioritise your time differently. Think about how you're spending your time now, and consider where you can make adjustments. For example, if you spend a lot of time scrolling social media, you might cut back on that to make more time for creating. Just like how I need to cut back on snacking. And scrolling on that note.
I’ve recently swapped some of my Instagram scrolls for a Pinterest scroll, and it really has been game-changing. Seeing things that genuinely do inspire me rather than make me feel a sense of lack has been monumental in changing the way that I prioritise my time and spend my time each day.
Something else I like to do is dedicate one day of the month to an Inspiration Day. This is a non-negotiable, and it means taking yourself out on a solo adventure (packing a camera, art-tools, or whatever floats your boat) and going somewhere you haven’t been before. Or somewhere you’ve wanted to go, or wanted to do, but have never gotten around to. For example, I recently spent a day down in Mullumbimby, camera in tow, making sure I mostly walk through the town (so I don’t miss out on any street-side moments to snap). I also made sure I visited Tombo, which also was a non-negotiable lol.
Hold Yourself Accountable
Find little ways to hold yourself accountable for your progress. You might track your progress in a journal or on a calendar, or share your goals with a friend or family member who can help keep you accountable. Doing this allows you to feel as though you are progressing toward something, because after all as humans we really don’t like feeling stagnant and are in search of constant learnings and growth.
Today, as I look back on my journey to date, I am so grateful for the challenges and obstacles that I’ve faced. They taught me that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and are willing to put in the work. They showed me that the path to fulfilment is not always easy, but it is always worth it in the end.
So if you find yourself feeling unfulfilled or disconnected from your passions, I encourage you to take a leap of faith and pursue your dreams. It may be a difficult journey, but the rewards are infinite. Remember, creating more than you consume is about more than just pursuing your passions - it's about finding your true self and living a life of purpose and meaning.
Do something today that you might thank yourself for tomorrow. And just start is my advice.
Over and out.