By Robert Wilson
As a creative it is impossible to get away from the feeling that you need to achieve something to be successful.
Perhaps for a film maker it’s to have a film on the big screen or to win an award.
For me as a photographer it’s usually to have something published in magazine or paper.
This is a form of desire that keeps pushing us forward to better ourselves and improve our craft.
Realisations
What I have come to realise over lockdown is how this desire we crave is a double edge sword as relying on this can harm why you enjoy being a creative in the first place.
The idea that we are chasing for that moment where our life will change once we achieved that desire.
This will be when we assume our life truly starts being successful.
I have noticed myself falling into this trap every once in a while and I can see how it emotionally affects me.
Granted sometimes it does push me forward but other times it can make me feel not good enough and instead of me pushing out more creative work I am just pushing myself down.
I have been fortunate to have work published in publications and the feeling is good but the truth is life just keeps going on, it’s not the restart of my life it’s just another day at the office.
Success should not be measured on your desire, it should be measured on your needs as a creative.
Lockdown Thoughts
During lockdown I have been thinking what my actual needs is as a photographer and in reality it’s very simple, it’s just to enjoy what I am doing.
I need to be able to go out and shoot and not worry about how it will push my career forward.
I need to get up and have a nice cup of coffee that I put way more time and attention into than a normal person because that’s what makes me happy.
I need to also be sitting comfortable and snug in a hoodie or dressing gown editing my photos in Lightroom.
If these things make me happy being creative they are for me at least a need.
Don’t get me wrong it’s great to strive for success but if any of us have a chance at achieving our greatest desires we need to first realise our need to be happy has to come first.