Community and Culture Influincing Creativity

Hi Collective!

I hope you all are off to a good start this week.

Any major creations you want to share from the past week?

If you don't have anything to share this week, that's okay. You always have this week, and the one after that, and the one after that one, and the one that follows that week too - we'll pretty much be here forever creating a free space for you to share your creations.

Talking about spaces, I want you all to start thinking of the kind of spaces you are in and how you are influenced by them.

In our latest CCTV episode, we spoke with Kirk, a San Diego-based photographer, about what made him get started in his photography journey and how he found the bravery to do so. (You can watch the latest CCTV episode here.)

A big part of Kirk's start in his journey was the fact he was already surrounded by other photographers, found inspiration, and had the confidence to pursue this. The photographers supported him through educational moments, providing resources, and helping him form new connections through local introductions. Proving once again that community really does help excel things for you in your creative career.

But what if you don't come from a space where you have the same or similar inspiration? How do you find the confidence to move forward and build success for yourself?

I recently met with someone who also dived into this topic with me and at the root of their story the biggest thing that kept them going was the belief that they can prove others wrong. Those who doubted them and said the career was not viable.

Now this creative is building something impactful for the community and true to them. A testament that your environment can only push you to want more if you seek it.

On a personal level, I've been around many creatives - most who have only dabbled but never attempted to make a career out of their creations. In some ways, I can see how this has rubbed off on me. Seeing short-term creative success and having to pick long-term stability over a true passion - wondering if there is really space for me in a creative industry or if I will fall into the repeat cycle too.

One thing I've found helpful to combat these thoughts is going back to my "why". Why do I want to be a creative? Why is this the career for me? Why did I make this?

Now I'm back home and I'm feeling secure again just in how far I can take my creations. You should feel the same confidence too, no matter what influences you have around you.

So now it's time to ask yourself this week, what is my why and how does it support me in the space I'm currently in?

As always, add your responses below and be on the lookout for this episode of CCTV where we dive in even further.