So today I sat down to write and article, like I do every week, and I found myself coming up short. I had no idea what to write about. If I'm being completely honest, I've been rather uninspired in many areas of my life lately.
I've just been feeling... blah.
My lack of motivation took me to the internet, as it always does, and what I found was actually surprising. So many of the creators and role models I follow on social media are feeling a similar way. Creators I've always been inspired by are creating less, or not creating content that they're proud of.
I think we have a generation of lost creators.
You hear about the midlife crisis all the time. Heck, a midlife crisis is expected. I think the quarter life crisis might be even more overwhelming. I don't know if this goes for everyone, but I've spent so much time pushing for the dream school, that dream job, or that shiny goal at the end of the tunnel. I've only just realized that I will never get there if I don't live a little along the way.
It's great to have goals and the determination to execute them, but how are you supposed to know what those goals should be if you never live enough to figure out what you love. Maybe you go to a school event and love it so much that you pick up a new hobby, maybe you discover that you love working with the elderly, maybe you're happiest surrounded by animals, maybe you love to make films. How would you know if your so focused on your preset goals that you never try new things?
I know that I want to create and surround myself with creators. I am happiest when I'm creating something. Sometimes this means I write a short story, sometimes I do a photoshoot, or edit a film. So if I'm doing all of these things, then why do I still feel so uninspired?
Well, the problem is that I've been so focused on executing these projects that I've stopped absorbing inspiration from all of the projects people are working on around me. The United States Education system has created a generation of young people who are excellent at completing tasks, but we tend to freeze when we have the freedom to create.
Standardized testing is largely to blame for this, and while many teachers try to keep students engaged they also have to make sure they are prepared. I remember learning strategies to succeed on the SAT, I remember memorizing fancy words to talk about literature, I remember memorizing facts and numbers and formats. I remember functioning like a robot.
This article is not about education, but the system has made me resent the process of learning in many ways, which makes me really sad. Recently I've been working to break these habits. I used to love learning things, I soaked in knowledge like a sponge, re-arranged it in my mind, and then squeezed it back out in some innovative creation. I'm sure many of you were the same. It's time to take a step back from this task execution mentality.
The real secret to getting your inspiration back is to become a sponge again.
With the technology developing so fast it has become easier to learn new information, so do it. Read, watch videos, take photos, write things, research what interests you, and experience life.
Soak in everything you can so that the next time someone squeezes the sponge you will have a creative idea at the ready.
It's ok that you're lost, but don't just hang out here. You need to do something about it.
