The Art Of Making Stuff

Not many people will read this, probably fewer than 100. When you make something, it's tempting to imagine how your work will be perceived by critics. If every artist made things to please an audience there wouldn't be much creativity. It's like that Henry Ford quote, "If I asked my customers what they wanted, they'd have asked for a faster horse."

Making stuff is about the freedom to let go. The further you walk alone, the scarier. Suddenly nobody else is with you. Am I lost? Am I doing this right? The fear can be paralyzing. When you're in kindergarten, remember how proud you were to bring home your drawing? On the fridge it went. You didn't care how it compared to Picasso, Monet, or van Gogh, you just knew that making it made you happy, and giving it to your parents made you even happier. That's the feeling you get when you make stuff. Happy.

It's late. It's a work night. I should go to bed. But I like writing this. My fingers continue to hit the keys. My music drones in the background. Making this post is fun. It's a gift to myself. It's going on my mental refrigerator. When's the last time you made something for yourself? Exercising creative muscles is just as important as exercising your body. It works the same way. Expect a challenge and enjoy the feeling when you're finished. Do this every day and you can be the Arnold Schwarzenegger of making stuff. 

Make stuff that makes you happy.