Side note, before we get started: Do you get your ideas sparked by the most unexpected places? This post idea was sparked from a post in an iPad subreddit. Not really the place I expected to source ideas on creativity!
I find the tension between consumption and creation very odd. Consumption is bad, you’re only a “real” creative if you create. And while yes, you need to do some creating to be a creative, I find it odd to police what that might look like for anyone else.
At the same time, there’s a lot of toxic attitude in author communities that if you don’t read extensively then you’re an awful author. Which is also pretty ableist because reading takes physical, emotional, and cognitive energy not available to everyone… and yes, people also then get mad at being called ableist.
So it’s quite contradictory how much you’re “supposed” to create and how much you’re “supposed” to consume.
These days I do very little of either. I often don’t have the spoons to read so I spend a lot of my time re-reading. New stories (or shows or even casual youtube videos) take up too much energy for me most days so I re-re (and then re) consume books.
And there bring another contradiction in society. People are obsesses with niches. I hate niches. In different circles, I could describe myself as heavily niched in on 2-3 series of books and it would be applauded. But in some book/author circles, it would be derided for … well no good reason.
The point of me pointing out these contradictions is less about giving a crap what others do, but to encourage other to find what works for them. Humans, especially chronically ill humans, are individuals. Find the mix of creating and consumption that works for you. No one else matters in this, it’s a pretty individual thing without consequences!!
Enjoy what works for you.
Image description: three books are stacked on top of each other with a pair of glasses on top.
100% with you! So many people wanting to tell people "how" to be/do. Sigh