It makes perfect sense for us to think in terms of products. Even if we never sell our art, capitalism shapes our relationships to leisure, creativity, and self-expression. We want to be “good” at something. We want to be appreciated, and we want to execute our goals as flawlessly as possible. This isn’t because we’re greedy or shallow. I think it’s because we are conditioned this way.
Days before we began publicizing the project, (really it was just creating an Instagram and a twitter account) all the doubts came rushing back. The thesis of which can be summarized in the question: is it all worth it?
Ready to pack it all up a chuck it up to another, could have been, I happened upon this quote on Twitter. And after reading the entirety of the writer’s advice, I realized that the question is it all worth it? is rooted in the idea that something should only be pursued if there is some value to be gained from it. Often that value is monetary, other times it’s fame and recognition.
"It will take some time to unlearn this but we must."
The worth of what we do will not measured by an audience or patronship. We’d be glad if we have a few friends find a bit of what they needed from what we publish. Maybe they needed a sign to start their own project or they just needed a little pick-me-up from having a long day. Whatever it is, mushmallows will live on as a labor of love. A journey of self-improvement and self-discovery. Often reflective but hopefully, at times insightful as well.
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For more advice on creativity and pursing passions, check out John Paul Brammer at https://holapapi.substack.com/
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