If you have a typical 9 to 5 career, you may be curious to know what a creative lifestyle entails and how different it is from a quote-on-quote job. On the outside, looking in, a creative lifestyle may seem like a bunch of good-for-nothing artists who don’t work, leech off society, and promote their woke agenda. But that’s a stereotype, and with stereotypes, that’s often far from the truth.

Society doesn’t understand the sheer difficulty and hard work a creative has to put into their craft to make ends meet, especially when just starting out in the industry. The negative sentiment that creatives get usually stems from a small group of people who are wildly successful and famous and are wreaking havoc on the society where the 9 to 5’s operate.

However, most creatives and artists are lucky to make a living from their craft, let alone generate mass wealth and fame from their artwork. Most creatives have two or three jobs and spend their time and waking moments on their craft. Creatives are usually sleep deprived, stressed, and overworked. And it’s because the creative process is very difficult to navigate and needs to be done solely by the individual, but life still has its demands.

What is the Creative Lifestyle

The creative lifestyle embraces creativity and artistic expression. It’s a way of life that encourages individuals to explore their artistic talents, express their originality and cultivate an appreciation for beauty in all its forms. People who adopt this lifestyle strive to create things that reflect the essence of what they feel and believe inside.

Whether that art is through:

• Writing
• Drawing
• Painting
• Sculpting
• Music
• Acting

Artistic lifestyles are about the individual’s ability to connect with their inner self through art. Living artistically doesn’t mean you have to work in the creative industry, but rather appreciate artistic expression in all aspects of life—from music to fashion to design! By living an artistic lifestyle, individuals can find joy in creating something unique and collaborating with like-minded creative spirits.

To those who adopt artistic lifestyles, the creative process is a way of life – and rarely just a hobby. Artistic lifestyles are all about creating something unique that brings joy to others and yourself. The creative lifestyle may seem to be a fun way to live, but it has its drawbacks.

When they delve into this new lifestyle, most people soon discover how tough it is to do anything else. For example, most jobs kill the creative spirit because there’s usually no reason or need to have creativity in the workplace. However, I have strong feelings about that because, in my opinion, many of these companies can benefit from having creative people around and utilizing their talents. But I digress.

Not many companies will allow artists to be artistic unless it’s in their job description, but even then, it will be dictated by someone else’s idea’s of what they think is creative, which defeats the purpose. Creative people have to find themselves, question their place in life, and seek the change they want to see in life. For many artists, that’s where the creative journey begins.

Misconceptions About the Creative Lifestyle

Creativity is often misunderstood. Many people believe that creativity only exists in the abstract, like a talent or a gift inborn to some and denied to others. The reality is much different; everyone has an artist within them, it may not be painting, writing, or music, but it’s something, and if you want to be an artist, you’ll have to find what you are good at and zero in on your passion.

Creativity is an essential part of life, as relevant and practical for everyday activities as problem-solving or critical thinking. Many people don’t understand that creativity can be developed and enhanced through practice and effort, regardless of the individual’s natural inclination or ability. However, many more misconceptions about creativity that aspiring creatives should be aware of.

Misconception One: Creativity isn’t a Job

People in society who say, “do what you love and never work a day in your life,” have no fucking clue what they are talking about. In fact, it’s a little offensive and arrogant to think that if you start monetizing your passion that you won’t be working. Let me be the first to tell you that that’s not true. You will be working your ass off. In fact, if OSHA and the Department of Labor found out how much you’ll be working, you’ll probably get fined.

The moment I decided to be an author and write books was when I gave up my nine-to-five and started working on my craft, which entailed double shifts of pure creating. It’s gotten so bad that I sometimes look back at my job and fantasize about getting off work, enjoying a weekend, using up my vacation days, and being on schedule to get some sleep.

I can comfortably say that being an author is one of the most challenging jobs I have ever had, and this isn’t just some millennial complaining about hard work. I have served in the United States Navy, graduated college, and had a corporate job for many years. So I have a respectable frame of reference, but as hard as being an author is, I can say I will choose this job every fucking time. I can’t and will not do anything else.

Misconception Two: Creativity Is Only Attributed to Originality

One of the biggest hurdles I had to overcome as an author was this obsession with originality. I was so concerned about being original and having that one idea that was so great and unheard of that I could surprise the world with my brilliant creative artistic brain and be categorized among the likes of some of the greatest authors to have ever lived.

Yeah, I was that guy, and when I was working for the man in the matrix, I would fantasize about this lie. I would constantly tell myself that one day I would have a dream. It’ll spark my imagination into overdrive and come up with something great. But it never did. That grand idea never came, and it depressed me. I felt like a failure and unworthy of writing any, let alone a novel, people could enjoy.

Every day it crippled me until one day, I said fuck it, I am going to write my story. I realized that everything had been done and that nothing was original. Hell, not even the Bible is authentic, which was supposedly a sacred book God wrote through man. That’s not a knock on the Bible; that’s just a sincere observation and one that made me feel better about my shortcoming in the originality department.

As good as originality is, it’s not the end all be all when it comes to creation. Creating is taking a concept that has most likely been done before and making it unique by creating new heroes, villains, plots, themes, and worlds. For example, anyone can create a genius, playboy, and weapon manufacturer billionaire; just don’t call them batman or Iron Man; make it your unique idea.

Misconception Three: You Have To Be An Expert

Another thing that I got caught up in was this fascination with being perfect. Before I got into the writing business, I thought writers wrote perfect, eloquent, artistic passages that only gifted writers could possess, that there was no need for editing, and that they did everything themselves.

Luckily for me, I was wrong, and I have never been so happy to know that a lot of writers make a lot of the same mistakes that I did and that their work needs to be edited, critiqued, and sometimes thrown away and forgotten just like a lot of the things that I have written.

Sure, a writer will be a lot better than your average Joe who decided to wake up and start their novel, but that average Joe doesn’t have to be an expert writer to be a writer. They just have to possess the passion, focus, willingness to learn, and the ability to take constructive feedback to have a chance at success.

However, that also goes for any other type of art you are interested in. You don’t have to be an expert to be an artist; every artist you know has several people around them to help them with their craft.

My point is no one does it alone every:

• Writer has an editor
• Rapper/Singer/Musician has a producer
• Painter has a crew
• Actor/Actress has a coach
• Director has production assistants

The list is very much simplified, and it actually goes on and on, with more people involved. For instance, as a writer, several types of editing help me daily. I couldn’t write a book without their help because it would suck horrendously if I did. As much as I would love to say that my writing is perfect and needs help, that would be very far from the case.

How to Live the Creative Lifestyle

If you are ready to take the plunge and start your journey to living a life of creativity, then there are going to be some surprising things that you will want to consider. Because if you are willing to take a chance on yourself, art will be your job and your life, which means there needs to be some structure to help you along the way. That may seem counterproductive and probably the last thing you want to do, but it’s a necessary step. You have to let your passion consume you, but if it’s not under control, it can spiral out in crazy chaotic ways.

Get Organized

I can’t stress organization enough. Organized artists are more productive and efficient. They’re better able to create a production plan and set deadlines to help them reach their goals faster. They can also spend less time second-guessing their ideas and more time executing them.

Additionally, artists who stay organized can quickly access relevant information like contacts, documents, or research with minimal effort. The end result? Increased creativity, effortless collaboration with colleagues or clients, and improved workflow overall.

Network

Networking is an essential aspect of an artist’s success. By building solid relationships with other artists, they can create a larger platform for their work and move up in their field. Networking also helps artists access resources they wouldn’t have had without the connections they make through networking.

Artists who network regularly are more likely to find mentors or sponsors that can help them achieve success. Additionally, artists will be exposed to different ideas and perspectives which may challenge their artistic process. Making these connections can open doors for artists and get them noticed by influential people in their field.

Obsess About Your Craft

The artist’s journey is one of constant change and growth. Perfection is never achieved, but artists must constantly improve their craft to remain relevant and competitive in their chosen fields. Great artists obsess over their art, pouring time and energy into every piece they create. It requires dedication, focus, and an appreciation for the finer details that make a work of art truly unique and memorable.

Being an artist can be challenging at times, but it can also be gratifying with the right attitude. Every artist has something special to offer – unique insights and perspectives that can only be gained from many years of practice, trial, and error. With this level of commitment comes a deep understanding of the creative process; what works for one artist may not work for another, and it is up to the artist to experiment and find their unique voice.

Stay Up to Date on Other Art Forms

Exploring different types of art is a great way to expand an artist’s creative horizons. By pushing out of their comfort zone, artists can create new, exciting works that may become their signature pieces. It also helps them build skills in areas they weren’t as familiar with before, making them more reliable and creative overall.

Furthermore, it allows artists to branch into other mediums or markets like printmaking, sculpting, animation, music, and writing. This could be the key to unlocking new opportunities and recognition in the art world. With this comes greater exposure, which could get more commissions or sales for the artist’s work.

Take Breaks

Taking breaks is something that I constantly struggle with. However, setting boundaries for yourself is essential for artists – both physically and mentally. It can help reduce stress, prevent burnout, increase creativity, and lead to better art. Breaks allow artists to step away from their work, process their thoughts and emotions, and return with renewed energy.

They also allow artists to recharge to return to the next piece with a refreshed outlook. Regular breaks can help artists stay inspired, focus better on tasks, and deliver better results overall. All of this leads to happier artists who produce more quality artwork. So take your breaks, get some sleep, and reenergize creativity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Creativity Essential?

Creativity is essential to success in many professions, from corporate to arts and entertainment. It allows us to think outside the box and develop new solutions for our problems. With creativity comes innovation, enabling people to take risks, generate novel ideas, and create something out of nothing.

By exercising creativity, individuals can stand out from their peers and make a lasting impression on their employers or customers. Creativity can also help people build meaningful relationships with others as they share ideas and collaborate to create something unique.

Finally, creativity is important because it allows us to express ourselves in ways that are not only interesting but can sometimes be quite lucrative. Ultimately, creativity fosters creativity which leads to growth.

What Is the Secret of Creativity?

Creativity is a complex and mysterious process that fuels the development of new ideas, solutions, and products. While creativity has been studied for centuries, the exact nature of how it works remains largely unknown.

It is believed that creativity involves different types of thinking styles and processes; however, exactly how creativity happens within our brains is still largely a mystery. Some have theorized that creativity requires divergent thinking—thinking out of the box to generate possibilities—while others believe creativity involves creative problem-solving or innovative combinations of existing ideas.

What Hinders Creativity

Creativity is a powerful tool that can bring forth great ideas and solutions, but it isn’t always easy to access. Creativity is often hindered by unconscious biases, fear of judgment, and low self-confidence.

Unconscious biases are pre-existing beliefs we may not be aware of that can negatively shape our thinking and creativity. Fear of judgment keeps us from speaking up and expressing our creativity for fear of being judged or looked down upon for our ideas. Low self-confidence can lead to devaluing one’s creativity – if you don’t believe in your creativity, why should anyone else?

These three factors have the potential to stifle creativity, so it’s essential to recognize them and take action to address them. By taking steps to identify and address unconscious biases, fear of judgment, and low self-confidence, creativity can be fully unleashed.