Why Self-Actualization and Creativity Are Essential for Everyone
In today’s world it’s easy to confuse busyness with purpose. Deadlines, endless notifications, the pressure to keep up—most of it leaves little space to ask the deeper question: Am I actually becoming who I want to be?
That question is at the heart of self-actualization. It’s not about chasing perfection or ticking boxes on a to-do list. It’s about aligning your life with what feels true, and slowly moving closer to your own potential.
More than a Goal—A Way of Being
Rick Rubin writes in The Creative Act: A Way of Being that creativity is not just about making art. It’s a way of living. That perspective stuck with me, because it takes the pressure off the outcome and shifts it toward the process. You don’t need to publish a book, release music, or start a company to live creatively. You just need to approach life with curiosity, openness, and the courage to express what’s inside you.
This is where self-actualization and creativity meet. The more you grow into yourself, the more naturally creativity flows. And the more you create—whether that’s through words, photos, ideas, or even how you solve everyday problems—the closer you get to understanding who you really are.
My Take
For me, this journey shows up in two places: building 7997 and photography. Neither is about constant output or flawless results. Sometimes I’m fully in it, other times barely. But both remind me that growth doesn’t come from consumption, it comes from expression. Even if no one else sees it.
Self-actualization isn’t a straight line. Some days it feels clear, other days it feels like noise. But each small act of creativity—each attempt to live authentically—adds another layer. You start recognizing yourself more in what you do, instead of just what you consume.
Why It Matters
Most of what we scroll through today will be forgotten tomorrow. But the moments when you act from your true self, when you create, when you dare to express—that stays. That’s the stuff you carry with you.
Self-actualization and creativity are not luxuries. They’re essentials. They’re how you move from just existing to actually living.
And since this is a conversation, not a lecture: there’s a comment section below. Share your thoughts on what self-actualization or creativity means to you—and maybe even how you try to live it.
