There’s a misconception in our society that in order to call yourself a writer, artist, or any creator, you must first have produced something that is deemed valuable by the masses. This is complete twaddle, of course. You are a writer when you’re writing. You are an actor when you’re acting. You are an artist when you’re arting. The act of creation itself is what defines the creator, not the external validation that may or may not come with it.

And the irony is that the more one writes, acts, designs, paints, builds, or does any of the activities they want to fill their time with, the more they produce that then validates them as creators in the world. We speak about writer’s block and getting into a funk with our creative endeavours, which certainly does happen, but the well is never dry. We, as creators, sometimes block our access to it, but we have only to look at the products of our history to note that the well is truly limitless. Derivative sometimes, yes, but while some creations may be copied or build upon existing ideas, there is always something more to draw from and be inspired by and to be expressed, explored, or reimagined.

Creation is a dynamic process that pretty much occurs in every moment, encompassing the ideation, planning, implementation, and presentation of the created product. Whether it is an visual art piece or a book or an entire production, or an office presentation or a computer programme or a design. These are all forms of creation and all a form of art, whether it is made as a means to an end or the end in itself. You are a creator when you are involved in this transformative journey. Even when it seems like you aren’t producing anything new or profound.

When faced with creative challenges, it can be helpful to shift our focus to other pursuits or interests temporarily. Engaging with different activities can spark fresh ideas and perspectives, allowing us to return to our creative projects with renewed energy and inspiration. This approach also highlights the importance of being a versatile creator who embraces a diverse range of experiences and influences. Embracing the essence of the creative process and each stage, including the rest and restoration phases, is an integral part of being a creator, and we all experience this essence throughout our lives.

Authentic creators do not necessarily seek to appeal to the masses or conform to mainstream interests. Instead, they create work that resonates with their own passions and values. By staying true to ourselves and our unique vision, we will eventually discover and attract an audience that shares our interests. In today’s interconnected world, the internet provides an invaluable platform for creators to find and engage with our niche communities, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.

The Stages of Creation

Envisioning: The creative process begins with the spark of an idea—that moment when inspiration strikes. It is during this stage that we usually envision the possibilities and potential of our concepts. We are daydreamers, eventually sketching or journaling our vision in solid form. This phase sets the foundation for the entire creative journey.

Planning: Once the initial idea has been formed, we can begin to formulate a plan to bring these visions to fruition. This may involve researching, outlining, and organizing the project into manageable steps. A clear plan can help us focus on the goals we need accomplished, allocate resources effectively, and anticipate challenges that may arise during the implementation stage. Planning has traditionally been the Achille’s Heel of most creatives, but with the YouTube era of creators, more and more of us have embraced the importance of this phase and have educated ourselves on how to go about bridging the gap between coming up with concepts and successfully conceptualising them into reality in a way that not only fulfils us but also makes it possible for even more and better creative projects down the line.

Implementation: With a solid plan in place, we creators can then embark on the implementation phase, where the concept materializes. This stage is often the most labour-intensive, as it involves the actual execution of the project. This is also generally the easiest phase because this is our happiest phase, when we apply our natural skills and learned knowledge to bring our ideas to life. This is the joy of creating, putting pen to paper, paintbrush to canvas, fingers to clay. This is us typing the words out, composing the music, painting the paintings, sculpting the sculptures, transferring our visions from our minds onto real world mediums, adapting as we need to, editing, repainting, restarting, enjoying the process of making something new.

Presentation: And finally, we share our work with the world during the presentation stage. Well, not necessarily the whole world. We may start by just sharing our work with the people we trust or the people who paid us. But in time, as we grow in our skills and in our confidence, and as we embrace ourselves as bona fide creators, we can extend this phase to showcasing our finished projects to the world at large, inviting people across the board to experience our visions. Feedback and reactions from the audience can be valuable learning opportunities, helping us grow and evolve in our creative journey, provided we take that feedback in stride, too.

An important thing to remember is not to take seriously the comments of people who aren’t creating at your level or who haven’t gone through the tribulations that all creators go through. These people will be in awe and praise, or they will hate and criticize your work, but their opinions are purely that; opinions coming from their limited perspective. In fact, take every bit of feedback with a pinch of salt. You know you and your work better than anyone else. If you want to be better, learn from those who are willing to teach you to upskill yourself. Don’t take the comments of the peanut gallery to heart; because most of them don’t really have your best interests at heart anyway.

Embracing the Creative Journey

Each stage of the creative process is essential and interconnected, shaping the final outcome. By recognizing and valuing the entirety of the process, we can foster our growth, resilience, and adaptability. It’s important for us to understand that creation is a dynamic, ongoing journey and that setbacks, obstacles, and challenges are inherent to the process. Nothing is ever going wrong; we can always pivot, restart, or otherwise adapt accordingly.

Being a creator is not about achieving perfection but rather embracing the full spectrum of experiences and emotions that accompany the act of creation. It is through the combination of imagination, perseverance, and vulnerability that creators bring new ideas, art, and innovation to the world. A creator isn’t even someone who already has a lot to say or express to begin with. It is in the creating process that we summon more to say and express from the unlimited ethereal ocean of the universe. Authentic creators don’t always look for what audiences are looking for. They create what interests them (the creators) and discover their particular niche by being their niche. The beauty of the Internet is that you will inevitably find some one else who shares your interests; the more you produce, the more you can showcase and show off to your potential audiences.

This process of creation is a transformative and empowering journey that spans multiple stages, from ideation to presentation. It is vital to acknowledge and celebrate the entirety of this journey and recognize that creators come in many forms, unified by our shared commitment to bringing new ideas, stories, and perspectives to life. Embracing the creative process and acknowledging its inherent challenges can empower us to continue pushing boundaries and progressively contributing to the rich tapestry of human expression. By doing so, we not only enrich our own lives but also add our unique visions to the collective well-being and growth of our global community.