It’s Hard To be a Creative in This System and Here’s Why

The struggle to live life as a creative and the true definition of success

Your creative struggle is real.

Creative souls are stuck in this bizarre dichotomy. We want to make a living from our art without actually doing it for the money. Without selling out and becoming a soul-less money making machine.

If you do make a living from it, and I’m talking a liveable income. You often wake up wondering where the next paycheck is coming from.

When you only do it in your spare time you feel stuck in a soul-sucking job that drains your life force. This leaves you with only a few measly hours and a ton of exhausted energy to be creative.

That struggle is real in this system we live.

Ever wonder what life would be like if money and prestige didn’t dictate everything? If pursuing your creative passions was your only mission in life regardless of money?

For most of us it’s either impossible or a pretty precarious existence.

“Being an artist means accepting the challenge of turning your passion into a livelihood, navigating the treacherous waters where creativity meets the demands of survival.” — Banksy

Why Have This Passion and Ability If I Can’t Make Money From It?

It’s a question I’ve often asked myself many times and it’s haunted me for years.

You might relate.

You’ve had this mysterious passion and talent for creativity since you were knee-high to a grasshopper. But alas, you’re not one of the chosen ones who skyrocketed to riches and fame. Why?

The next part might make some of you scoff or roll your eyes in skepticism, so brace yourself.

If being creative is your God-given gift (and feel free to replace “God” with the universe, Allah, or even Stephen Hawking if you want).

If it’s something you came into this world with, maybe it’s even part of your pre-life soul blueprint (cue eye-roll again).

Then it wasn’t about money and fame.

Money is about as much use as a waterproof teabag in the other dimension, because you can’t take it with you. Not unless you’re one of those Egyptian Pharaohs with some grand afterlife plan.

The point is natural creativity and artistic flair is not about cash. It never has been.

Money is just a byproduct in this life. Once you start prostituting your creative talents for money, it’s a path that leads to burnout. Your art will suffer for it in the long run too.

This is something that most non-creative people simply don’t get. It’s also why it’s so damn hard to make it in a system that is designed to make money.

Perhaps You Have to Die First

Back in the day, when I was honing my drawing and painting skills and studying art history to get accepted into ‘Art School.’ I had this crazy notion.

What if my work doesn’t get recognized until I’m six feet under?

I’m talking about the classic story of artists being dirt poor during their lifetime, only to become legends after they kick the bucket. Think about it.

Bit of a dilemma right?

I wanted to be a Picasso, a rock god, and a reincarnation of Albert Camus.

The thing is, once you step outside the cozy bubble of art school after 3 years. The big bad world demands you conform and start running on that damn hamster wheel.

I ended up as an interior architect who published a few songs, played in a band with mediocre success, and now dabbles on Medium for a few dollars.

Don’t get me wrong the architect gig pays well, and I’m grateful for it but it was never my dream path. I also had some great fun in my musical days, and I love writing on this platform. I’m not complaining.

The alternative is a nomadic type existence of financial insecurity and the occasional dose of social ridicule. I know because I’ve experienced it more than once, and I’ve learned not to care anymore.

That’s just how the system operates.

We can’t all be Neo from The Matrix bending reality to our will. Manifesting your dream life doesn’t always work exactly how you envisage it — karma’s got a say in the matter, for one thing.

So What is the Point of Doing it? — This is Why

I realize this might all be sounding a bit negative Nancy-like, so let’s shine some light at the end of the creative tunnel.

The answer is simple but prolific.

You do it for you and for those you touch with your work…… and the bigger picture.

Honoring your passion and pursuing your creative endeavors, even if only part-time, helps you become a better version of yourself. If you have natural talent, you owe it to yourself to express it. Even if it does not bring you fame and fortune.

If your work touches just one soul, then you’ve succeeded. And I can tell you, that connection, that deep value exchange, has got nothing to do with money. It’s something far more profound.

When you follow your creative passion it adds a positive energy to the collective field of consciousness that transcends the mere pursuit of money.

It has a ripple effect.

Tap into your creative intuition, and don’t let the shallow expectations of society in this material-obsessed world seduce you off track.

“In the modern world, the artist is empowered to challenge conventions, disrupt norms, and spark meaningful conversations that shape our ever-evolving society.” — Yoko Ono

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