Originality is Often Romanticized
In my latest blog post about the book How To Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz, I talked about straying from the well-worn path. I alluded to some of the pros and cons of doing so. However, I also admit that this is something I am still struggling with.
I think taking your own path in life is often romanticized. People who do so are often celebrated. But there is a selection bias occurring. The ones that we hear about are the ones that have “made it”. Whereas, in reality it is common for those who try to buck the current to live hard lives. It is normal for artists to be successful only after they die, if at all. We see the final manifestation of their reputation and accomplishments. They saw a life lived in obscurity.
Striking a Balance Between Convention & Creativity
This perceived failure is exacerbated by the pressures of personal responsibility. If I fail myself then that’s one thing, if I fail the people depending on me then that is another story entirely. It is easy to encourage others to follow their true path, however there are a lot of advantages to taking the well-worn path if you have bills to pay and mouths to feed.
Striking a balance between originality and convention is key. Taking a leap of faith is terrifying and it can be financially devastating. What if it doesn’t work out? I need to explore finding a way to my originality that does not leave me or others vulnerable.
Messy Bun Book Lover
(Originally posted on Apr. 28, 2025)
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