Your writing gives me hope that we won't all be replaced by ChatGPT.
Some of my favorite bits:
"In this prelapsarian state, the work is flawless because it is nothing: a ghost of pure potential that haunts the creator with its impossible beauty."
"Creation is not birth; it is murder. The murder of the impossible in service of the possible."
"Your masterpiece won't emerge from your mind fully formed like Athena from Zeus's head. It will emerge from your willingness to start badly and improve steadily. It will emerge from your commitment to showing up consistently rather than brilliantly. It will emerge from your ability to see failure as information rather than indictment.
The work that will matter most to you, the work that will surprise you with its significance, is probably much smaller than you imagine and much closer than you think."
"The curse and the gift are the same thing: we see further than we can walk, dream bigger than we can build, imagine more than we can create."
This is exceptionally written - loved every sentence. And admittedly, and unfortunately, I feel very seen. The question is how did I get here in the first place? If not for social media, is it just the way I am, lack of validation growing up? No jdea. Surely there’s more like me and just getting to work feels like a never ending uphill battle. More to explore for sure but this was so insightful and clear. Thank you for writing this
I’ve read quite a few of your pieces but this has moved me like no other. As someone who has been creatively paralyzed for the past two years and feels trapped in their idealized version of their work, this felt like a wake up call. You put into words things I felt but couldn’t express. Thank you, I can’t wait to start do-learning again.
Fascinating analysis. Do-learn is great. And I love the sports analogy. Here’s another one: You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Gretzky, I think.
This was really an insightful read. What really hit home: the learning never stops requiring the doing. The doing never stops requiring learning. The work changes me. I change the work. The work changes me again.
Haven't read an article like this. I could literally see my reflection in every sentence that you made. Loved it to it's core.
I am going through this phase right now, where my skills don't match my taste and vision. You have no idea how much this article has impacted me. I am just sitting speechless on my bed.
Someday when I make it, I'll remember this article as the spark which lit the fire.
I am possibly one of those new people in the audience. I saw a viral video of you, read one of your Substack posts and then created an account just to read what you’ve got to say. Your writing is so eloquent, yet approachable. I am envious of how well you communicate your thoughts. I am going to start giving myself permission to fail.
This is an excellent post, thank you for the work you have put in it. Years of having my brain deep-fried by other social media platforms had made me lose all hope that I would find a place where people actually commit to a craft, not for the dopamine rush but for the pursuit of craftsmanship.
thank you for inspiring people to preserve one of the most beautiful gifts given to humanity -- our creativity. what a beautiful piece illustrating that we are often our own worst enemies and that self-sabotage might just be the worst kind. extremely inspired to lower the stakes and begin, thank you :)
Your writing gives me hope that we won't all be replaced by ChatGPT.
Some of my favorite bits:
"In this prelapsarian state, the work is flawless because it is nothing: a ghost of pure potential that haunts the creator with its impossible beauty."
"Creation is not birth; it is murder. The murder of the impossible in service of the possible."
"Your masterpiece won't emerge from your mind fully formed like Athena from Zeus's head. It will emerge from your willingness to start badly and improve steadily. It will emerge from your commitment to showing up consistently rather than brilliantly. It will emerge from your ability to see failure as information rather than indictment.
The work that will matter most to you, the work that will surprise you with its significance, is probably much smaller than you imagine and much closer than you think."
"The curse and the gift are the same thing: we see further than we can walk, dream bigger than we can build, imagine more than we can create."
It would be hilarious if it turned out these lines were written by ChatGPT
I would lose my mind 😂😭
No way this cannot be ChatGPT, maybe Gemini? Grok 4? Jokes aside this is a great article!
‘Theoretical purgatory’👌. What a line. I would prefer hell.
This is exceptionally written - loved every sentence. And admittedly, and unfortunately, I feel very seen. The question is how did I get here in the first place? If not for social media, is it just the way I am, lack of validation growing up? No jdea. Surely there’s more like me and just getting to work feels like a never ending uphill battle. More to explore for sure but this was so insightful and clear. Thank you for writing this
"creation is not birth, it is murder" I'm dying, one of the best lines I've ever read
I’ve read quite a few of your pieces but this has moved me like no other. As someone who has been creatively paralyzed for the past two years and feels trapped in their idealized version of their work, this felt like a wake up call. You put into words things I felt but couldn’t express. Thank you, I can’t wait to start do-learning again.
This was excellent. Instant subscribe.
Fascinating analysis. Do-learn is great. And I love the sports analogy. Here’s another one: You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Gretzky, I think.
It was Micheal Scott quoting Gretzky. lol
This was really an insightful read. What really hit home: the learning never stops requiring the doing. The doing never stops requiring learning. The work changes me. I change the work. The work changes me again.
Haven't read an article like this. I could literally see my reflection in every sentence that you made. Loved it to it's core.
I am going through this phase right now, where my skills don't match my taste and vision. You have no idea how much this article has impacted me. I am just sitting speechless on my bed.
Someday when I make it, I'll remember this article as the spark which lit the fire.
I am possibly one of those new people in the audience. I saw a viral video of you, read one of your Substack posts and then created an account just to read what you’ve got to say. Your writing is so eloquent, yet approachable. I am envious of how well you communicate your thoughts. I am going to start giving myself permission to fail.
wow, thank you for being here!! such kind words, i appreciate it :)
among the best recent articles I have read.
My appreciation for this craftsmanship goes beyond words. 🙏
Thank you for giving me a name for the taste-skill discrepancy. Loved this piece.
This is definitely one article that I will want to pass on to the next generations.
Thank you for this. Put me back on the right path I think.
This is an excellent post, thank you for the work you have put in it. Years of having my brain deep-fried by other social media platforms had made me lose all hope that I would find a place where people actually commit to a craft, not for the dopamine rush but for the pursuit of craftsmanship.
thank you for inspiring people to preserve one of the most beautiful gifts given to humanity -- our creativity. what a beautiful piece illustrating that we are often our own worst enemies and that self-sabotage might just be the worst kind. extremely inspired to lower the stakes and begin, thank you :)