Creation Without Destination
Creation Without Destination
Dealing with life after financial independence is an incremental evolution. Transforming habits ever so slowly to create more purpose and identity, and letting go of those that are not mood affirming can be difficult. This takes a change in mindset. Although retirement (or half retirement) sounds fairly sudden and final, I am realizing that it will take months or even years to wrap my head around this change. I have definitely made the decision to pivot from employment as a doctor to other ventures. Writing, Podcasting, public speaking. But even within these realms am I am trying to affect changes in outlook. Before, I always had an endgame in mind. Whether it be to reach out to a certain number of people, or monetize my creativity to a certain level, there was always an ulterior motive. Finding financial as well as emotional peace may require something even more. I am starting to believe that I have to embrace creation without destination.
Creation
There is nothing more joyful than creating. Although there is a certain angst involved, I am happiest when I am sitting in front of a computer and typing. In fact, I almost look at blogging as my daily meditation. A daily routine that helps keep me centered and calm for the rest of life.
Would you believe that once I get a blog post idea in my head, it is hard to sit straight until I get it down in writing? It has always been thus. People ask how I can create something new everyday. I often wonder how could I not. Simply put, it may be the best part of my day.
It’s pure me time. Especially if it is creation for creation’s sake. If it is creation without destination.
Destination
As wonderful as creation is, I often feel great angst at this idea of destination. From the very beginning with my medical blog, I always expected something more than just the joy of writing. It might have been a number of page views, invites to public speaking engagements, or publication in journals or periodicals.
Although the creation was pure joy, the destination often left me climbing back towards the achievement treadmill. It was hard to stand back and just admire my creation for what it was. I was always worried about where it was going to take me.
They say that comparison is the thief of joy. But for me, I say the same of expectation. My expectations of success in whichever way I defined them, usually subtracted greatly from the joy of production.
As I journey forward through financial independence and let go of those things that weight me down, I begin to wonder if creation without destination is the only solution.
To bask in the glow of a blog post or a podcast and let go of the perceptions of my friends, peers, and the community at large.
Letting Go
The easiest way to evaluate this phenomenon is to flip the switch and pretend that I am able to achieve all the heights and reach the desired destination. Would this add to my life? If I had hundreds of thousands of page views a month, if I was a regular in national media, if my words or podcasts got a much larger audience.
What would this all bring?
More money? I really don’t need that. Fame? Is that really going to make my life better. A book deal? Sounds great, but then what? Love? would it bring me more love?
Final Thoughts
I am hoping to pivot toward creation without destination. To let go of all expectations and bask in the glow and freedom of my own invention. As a serial achievement junky, this is no easy task. Yet if I want to move forward as a human being and truly take hold of this boon that financial independence offers, I might just have to let go of all these measures of external validation.
And discover the joys of creativity and freedom all over again.
Heraclitus had a saying. You never step in the same river twice. His contention was the only constant is change. Stepping in the river will take you somewhere. Stepping out and stepping back in will take you somewhere else because it’s a different river. Stepping in makes you wet. Ever consider the grandeur of wetness? If your concern is going somewhere you never will consider wetness except as a hassle. Retirement gives you the luxury to considering wetness.
Well put. I am awash in wetness.
Check out Seth Godin’s Podcast “Akimbo”. You will love it!
I will, thanks.
Writing well is too difficult to do it for any other reason than because it is something you want to do. I remember when I was in high school and interviewed a well-known author for the school paper. I asked him if he enjoyed writing. He responded, “No, it makes me miserable.” Then I asked him why he wrote. He said, “Because if I don’t, I feel even more miserable.”
I enjoy writing and have been writing all my life. As you point out, it might be nice to sell a million copies of a book and be “famous,” but it probably wouldn’t change much. Perhaps learning to write well is the best reward for working as a writer?
Writers are born, I think.
I agree. I was born a writer. I will always do it regardless of anyone reads.
Will it bring me more love? Aah, that is the question, Doc!
I love creating and writing too. I find it helps me clarify my thoughts and it has improved my communication skills. There is just something about writing.
Loved your ChooseFI episode today.
Thanks Deanna. And thanks for listening to the podcast.
“Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
I definitely connect with this quote.