The pressure to “create”.


Create (defined)
To produce through imaginative skill.
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Ive observed that the internet (in general) has seemingly redefined what it means to create.
For example, its only recently that the term “content creator” became a thing.
An internet “content creator”by default loses alot of organic freedom to create due to the instant reward system most “platforms” have embraced.

The internet, especially social media, has magnified the perceived importance
of creating for the best response.

Creation, based on the viewing of the creations popularity in the form of likes and hearts by others can easily turn the creator into a waiter or waitress:”What will it be today?”

The Pressure.

As truly awesome as the internet is for the “content creator”,
it comes with a real pressure.
The pressure to create.

Pressure in the frequency of postings*.
Pressure in the form of number counts.
Pressure in the for of “approval”.
Pressure to respond to each comment (quick enough).

As a recovered social media addict (clean & sober since 2017), I can testify
to the pressure. Besides the list above, there is an invisible but real perceived pressure to re-post usually shallow memes by others,to  friend / follow others “because” they followed you
(Thats an elephant in the room for all SM – a real pressure).

*Special attention to the pressure of the frequency of posting.
In an effort to seem alive, and active the entire time I was in the social
media game I felt a pressure to post. Frequently.
Most often this resulted in quantity over quality – aka crappy “content”.

Re posting silly, shallow “memes” and / or “hashtags” became the default of survival- an existence that rivals “just showing up” for a job your really growing to dislike- only to keep the check coming.


In its purest form, creation itself is very natural.



Nature grows beautiful roses regardless of the potential view of the rose.
With no expectation of reward.
For when we create for external approval, by definition, we are not
truly creating.
We are attention seeking, seeking external validation.
Ive yet to meet a rose that does that.
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Authors note:
I felt the “pressure to create” for this blog in 2018 and
thus took it down. I found I was bending / limiting my true
thoughts / opinions to seem more “likeable”.
I re-launched the blog in Jan 2021
(update)
And again in Jan 2024!
Time away has freed me from approvalitis.
I will write whatever I want. Whatever is true.
This blog can be the rose in the desert.
Im OK with that – now.
-Scott

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Welcome to the R3volution
(You are NOT alone!)