Book #1
The Creative Act: A Way of Being
By Rick Rubin
Creative Struggles
This was the perfect book to start my 2025 Reading Challenge with. It captures the essence of everything I hope to get from this challenge, which is to increase my inspiration, peace, creativity, and authenticity.
This book is so peaceful. I ended up getting the audiobook and listen to it every once in a while as I am falling asleep. It is read by the author who has an absolutely divine voice. You can tell that Rubin has a very healthy view of and relationship to creativity.
I don’t think that is very common in the modern world. I know my own view of creativity is severely lacking. If I were to describe myself briefly and perhaps harshly, I would say that I have two very relevant university degrees but feel constrained by the direction they are taking me in. I struggle with applying the skills I learned to my passions instead of making other people rich.
Moving From Reactivity to Creativity
This led to a swing in the other direction. That of the starving artist. Since completing my two practical degrees, I have lived the life of the starving artist. Stumbling and fumbling to bring the things I want to create into the world. I am not making the money I would like to be making, but at least this feels authentic.
I do not however feel spiritually fulfilled, and my creative pursuits feel mostly like a consolation prize- like “Hey, at least you’re creating on your own terms”. But this has the same feeling as a teenager who rebels against her parents. The rebellion is in response to them, it is not her own free choice. That is how I feel about my creativity and career. Although I am doing things my way these days, I still feel uninspired. My spirit doesn’t feel full.
Hoping to Find Peace With My Creativity
I really hope that I can reach that place of deep creative peacefulness that I sense that the author feels. Right now, my creativity feels like a weight on my shoulders, not a blessing. Rubin talks about how the same sensitivity that makes a person creative can be burdensome. That makes sense to me. I feel like an exposed nerve in a world of constant energy. I want to get back to a place where I am at peace and excited by the things I create and not merely reacting to the world around me. I know I am not there yet.
Maybe I will reread this book again at the end of the year to see if my thoughts toward my own creativity become more loving and optimistic. I would love that improvement. But right now, my faith in my creative powers is a little fragile.
Overall, I can see this as being one of my favorite books this year. So we are starting out this challenge very strong. I also think it is the type of book that keeps on giving the more times it is read.
Messy Bun Book Lover
(Originally posted on Mar. 4, 2025)
The Creative Act: A Way of Being
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