Herding Cats

Creativity is not only worth it but is necessary in these times. Artists and writers have the unique ability of looking at the world and reinterpreting it in their own way, and this perspective is one I would sorely miss if a young creative chose not to show their work. And for the sake of my own sanity, I much prefer spending my time looking at the works of new, growing artists than the fire party that the Internet has become. Sort of like . . . a little blossom of hope in an apocalyptic landscape

Having some degree of Internet presence has now become commonplace for most people. And it turns out, when you give people endless access to a shroud of anonymity and a soapbox, the results might just be disastrous. Whereas users congregated in small pockets before, social media has enabled the rise of mass movements that use trolling as a deflection tool for “doing the most damage I can do and then saying it was just a joke.” This culture no longer hides in anonymous corners but exists in the mainstream and is unavoidable

Making work is actually fun. It’s healthy and rewarding, and for many creative people, it’s central to who they are as a person

Artists and writers have the unique ability of looking at the world and reinterpreting it in their own way, and this perspective is one I would sorely miss if a young creative chose not to show their work

In a world where every single person—good or bad—has a voice, I hope you pick up your pen and use yours.

And don’t forget an even simpler aspect: Making work is actually fun. It’s healthy and rewarding, and for many creative people, it’s central to who they are as a person.

You are also capable of surviving pretty much anything. Think back to all the times you swore you couldn’t get through something. If you’re here, then you did get through it.

When you feel hurt, let yourself feel hurt. Let yourself process and recover. And then go back to being the ice-cold superhuman that you are

Remember the art cycle: Every time you make a masterpiece, in a few years, you’ll have made a new one

s long as you keep working, creativity is an essence of who you are, and it never vanishes.