Creativity doesn’t die from external forces; it fades because we let it disappear without a fight.
At work, you accept tasks that drain you, make no real sense, and bring no added value. You stay quiet in meetings that waste money and time. Maybe you tried to raise your voice before; it didn’t change anything or worse, it caused trouble.
During your free time, you numb yourself with distractions: endless scrolling on social media, streaming movies, video games, adult content. Worst case, you intoxicate yourself with alcohol, medication, or drugs.
Not thinking about the emptiness of all this gives an illusion of security. Challenging the system feels dangerous; you could lose so much. But what’s truly dangerous? A little discomfort or slowly shutting down?
The Choice You Make
This situation didn’t start yesterday. You let it grow over time. You said yes. You agreed to meaningless tasks. You nodded instead of asking why. You told yourself, “It’s easier this way,” teaching your subconscious to associate your identity with surrender.
Each small decision compounds. The effect is disastrous: you lose the ability to create, innovate, or even think outside the box.
Fear in Disguise
Fear is powerful: fear of losing relationships, income, status, material things. Fear of exclusion from a group or organization. Fear of being judged. Simply fear of change.
These fears keep you from stepping outside what you know. You sit in a golden cage, safe and comfortable, but unable to spread your wings and touch the sky.
Look closely: the door of that cage isn’t locked.
Breaking the Pattern
First, admit it. You’re responsible for your situation. You let yourself drift. But it’s okay; it’s never too late if you give yourself a chance.
Ask yourself tough questions about every aspect of your life:
- Does this make sense?
- Does this create value for me, my close circle, or the world?
- Does this bring me joy?
- Does this align with my values?
Start with baby steps because change doesn’t happen overnight:
- Make a plan and stick to it.
- Take small risks like saying no once or suggesting a better way.
- See what happens; you might lose a little but gain respect for your boundaries, deeper relationships, and greater opportunities.
Most importantly, stay relevant: acquire new skills, study, try new activities, stay curious. Don’t rely only on what you already know. You don’t yet know what associations you’ll build or what value you’ll create, but one thing is certain: the spark of creativity will light up your life again.
Conclusion
You can blame others, systems, managers, or culture. But from the beginning of time, the first step has always been yours.
I’ve been there too, compromising on what really matters to me. Building a path wasn’t easy, but the results came. Not everything is perfect; old habits creep back (I started writing this post in July 2025!). But the vision and habits I’ve built help me return to the track. I’ll share more in future posts.
Creativity demands courage: courage to evaluate yourself, improve, suffer, and stand up for what’s right for you. In other words, courage starts when you stop hiding behind comfort.