Contentment is the finish line of creativity

a creator is never content of their creation

I’ve had a fair share of exposure to a lot of art forms across many platforms. Ranging from cheesy fanfictions, Wattpad originals, Instagram poetry, Tumblr philosophy, to Substack’s “the art of” articles, I’ve seen diversity. All of it has been phenomenal, the evidence of existence of one’s artistic capabilities, not questioned by any boundaries. Strikingly, something that all these individuals from different ages, places, and mental capabilities shared, was discontent. None of them seemed to truly like or be proud of their art. That’s exactly what drives them to create more.

When someone just starts doing something, something outside their comfort zone or usual choice of art expression, they are met with a lot of criticism. Most of it begins and ends in the mind itself. Sometimes they chase this unrealistic version of their art that can not be achieved in an instant. Sometimes they resort to Social Media for acknowledgement, constructive criticism, and well, clout. Most times, this acts as a kick to the system that helps it move. Other times, it isn’t. The fact of the matter is, external factors like likes, comments, etc can only take you so far. The actual passion towards being better comes from the discontent you feel when you make something that isn’t at par with your expectations. Then, you do more; and you do better. 

I’ve realised through some of my own writing that most of my best works have come from a place of stagnation. To use the cliché lotus metaphor, something good only blooms from my pen once it has been in mud. When I am content and proud of my writing, I usually stop creating more, afraid I won’t be able to meet the expectations I’ve created for myself in my head. That brings us to the you-know-what. You know, a writer’s block. Not a fan of it. Anyway, that’s my personal opinion through personal experience, varies from artist to artist. 

I’ve realised that the more discontent (I’m too lazy to Google a synonym and too in a you-know-what to conjure one) you feel towards your writing, the more passion you feel towards the art of creating. David Ogilvy calls this phenomenon, Divine Discontent, and rightfully so. It is divine, for it is creating, innovating and bettering. Discontent is the mother of creation, I’d say, not that I don’t agree with Plato and the importance of necessity. But what good is a necessity if it doesn’t come from a place of wanting change, in this day and age? Everything is correlated with humankind’s course of life, change. Change isn’t always good, I know, but artistic change is very nice. Broadening your spectrum, giving a kick start to the scooter that yearns to travel and most importantly, pushing that finishing line of creativity is the best form of self improvement.