When it comes to creating, I have an ethos which is unorthodox regarding the process. Some people say that it’s a god-given talent and others say it’s about learning a skill. The power of creativity has infinite possibilities. As human beings we have a need to create, whether it’s through writing, music, drawing, painting, film-making, sculpture etc. Some of us have this need so dearly that we burst and become on edge when we aren’t doing something creative.
In the words of Greek philosopher Epictetus, “No great thing is created suddenly.”
But how does one start the process?
You can look for inspiration in the environment around you or perhaps imitating the work of others. My ethos is different. I encourage that one looks inside themselves for that power and to tell the story and create from within.
It’s a common notion and stereotype that the most creative people are depressed and the one’s that have gone through various levels of trauma in their life to make art. That is not far from true. As a writer, I look for stories within the chapters of my life. But is living through this dark state a good thing? For one’s health, no. For one’s ability to make art, in my opinion, yes.
This is where things become conflicted. No-one wishes depression or a dark state of mind upon another, it’s both immoral and inhumane. Yet, the greatest stories come from the darkness. The perfect example can be found in the best-selling book of all time. The first chapter of the Bible tells us that God created the Heavens and the Earth, and then he said, “Let there be light.”
From the darkness that once was, that light shone through and everything came to life. In darkness we can’t see anything, essentially, nothing exists. There is no light, there is no sound, there is no smell, no taste, nothing to feel. Absolutely void of existence. Add one light, one tiny spark and everything changes.
The perfect exercise is to look at the room you’re in. Switch off all the lights so there is nothing but black. Picture the room in your mind and the things in there. Now, use your phone, a lighter or a match and look at what you see around you. Notice the details and the small things in your world, all taken for granted by our minds.
As a creative, why not do the same thing within yourself and illuminate from the dark parts of your soul. Embrace the shadows of your life and use it to make something beautiful. There may be parts of your life that haunt you and made you the way they are, but that is what makes this embodiment you and nothing can change that.
Living off depression and feeding from it is extremely frowned upon because it encourages that we hurt ourselves from the inside in order to succeed. I do not wish that upon anyone. What I do encourage, however, is that we control it. Go to that dark place, light a fire and recreate the world.
Stare into the sun and your shadows will fall behind you.