Are you consuming more than creating?
It shouldn't come at the expense of your big, creative goal.
I recently read a highly-relatable piece on Substack called wanting to be a writer vs actually writing,
about an aspiring author who spent her time focusing on writing short stories and thinking a lot about external validation instead of working on a novel she “deeply cared about.” During those years she spent getting published in lit mags, to her surprise, her partner had been quietly worked away on a manuscript. Lo and behold, they ended up not only finishing their novel, but getting an agent — before her. The author writes, “But the truth is that while one of us was projecting ‘writing a novel,’ the other was actually writing a novel.”
The post got me thinking about how it’s sometimes easier to talk about writing than to actually write. How it’s easier to consume content about how to improve your writing, than to sit down and feel all of the messy and uncomfortable feelings that come with creating a project we desperately want to succeed.
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I’m great at distraction. Most of us are. We distract by consuming. We distract by doing work we convince ourselves is just as important as our big, bold project. We tell ourselves we need it to build our brand, acquire bylines, or gain exposure. And sure, I’m not saying those things aren’t important (or necessary depending on your end goal), but if your creative energy is funnelling into one or more of those mediums, chances are you’ll have less time and energy for that big, bold passion project. It doesn’t mean you can’t do both (or all), it means whatever is taking you away from your main creative goal, needs to either be cut down or cut out.
Substack presents a new dilemma for the modern writer. It’s another channel many aspiring authors have been sold to believe is essential to building credibility and an audience, so instead of writing our books, we come here and read notes about how to stop procrastinating, heart stylized inspirational quotes straight from Pinterest, try to ignore tips on how to build an audience, and scroll past exciting announcements of book deals thinking about when it will be our turn to do the same. No judgment, as I’ve been guilty of all of the above. To top it off there is a lot, I mean A LOT of high- quality, inspiring content on Substack, so much that I’m often incredibly overwhelmed by it all. I could probably spend hours just devouring all of the practical advice and relatable content — a lot of which is free.
Consuming content is an important part of being a creative. It helps expand our creative toolbox. It inspires us. It can show us what’s possible. But it shouldn’t be at the expense of your own creative work.
As I think about my big, bold passion project that’s been woefully ignored for too many months, I’ve decided I need to reconsider where I’m spending my time and what content I’m consuming and why. Plus, it’s not forever. Maybe it means I’ll only be able to read a couple books this month or fall behind watching a couple TV shows I’ve been dying to finally start (Severance will have to wait, welp). But it’s OK — social media, books, the hottest new TV series, they’ll all be waiting for you when you’re ready to return. Sure, you might be “out of the loop” for a few months, but does it really matter?
For me, my big, bold passion project now requires my attention and I can’t ignore the call any longer.
What do you want to be? A consumer of content or a creator? You can (and should) be both, just don’t let the consumption consume your dreams.
If you don’t have the budget to become a paid subscriber (all of my content is currently free), please considering liking, sharing and commenting on my work. This is a free and easy way you can help support me!