Navigating Creativity in your 30s
At 35, creativity isn’t just something I do—it’s who I am. It’s in the way I approach my work, how I decorate my home, and the passion projects that keep me up at night. And yet, I’m not a full-time artist. Like so many of us, I juggle responsibilities, financial realities, and the ever-present question: What if I went all in?
The truth is, making the leap into full-time creativity isn’t easy. There are hurdles—bills to pay, stability to consider, self-doubt to wrestle with. And that’s okay. The goal isn’t necessarily to be a full-time artist. The goal is to live a life that feels creative, inspired, and fulfilling.
The Pressure to “Go All In”
There’s an unspoken narrative that if you don’t fully commit to your art, you’re not really an artist. But creativity isn’t about proving anything to anyone—it’s about how it makes you feel. Some people thrive in the uncertainty of freelancing, while others find creative joy within structure. Neither is more valid than the other.
There is no right way to live a creative life. The real challenge is staying inspired, carving out time for your ideas, and giving yourself permission to create—no matter what your day job looks like.
Fueling the Creative Fire 🔥
When doubt creeps in, I turn to books that remind me why I create in the first place. Here are three that have changed my perspective on creativity and life:
📖 The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin – A deeply reflective guide that treats creativity as a lifelong practice rather than a product.
📖 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest – Thought-provoking essays that challenge limiting beliefs and reframe the way we see ourselves.
📖 The War of Art by Steven Pressfield – A no-nonsense look at the mental battles creatives face, teaching how to overcome self-doubt, procrastination, and resistance.
📖 Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert – A must-read on embracing curiosity over fear and making space for creativity in everyday life.
I revisited each of these books in 2024, and they continue to inspire and ignite my creative spark. That’s why they’ll always live on my bookshelf—kind of like a go-to reminder when I’m in a funk. They all drive home one simple truth: creativity isn’t about the end result. It’s all about how it makes you feel.
A Weekly Creativity Check-In
To keep the creative spark alive, here’s a short weekly checklist to check in with yourself:
✅ Did I create for the joy of it? (Not for money, not for validation—just for me.)
✅ Did I seek inspiration? (Read something new, watch an inspiring film, or go for a walk without distractions.)
✅ Did I give myself permission to rest? (Burnout is the enemy of creativity.)
✅ Did I push past fear? (Even a small creative risk is a step forward.)
✅ Did I celebrate a small win? (Every bit of progress counts.)
It’s Not About the Destination—It’s About the Feeling
At 35, I’m learning that the goal isn’t to force myself into a specific version of success. It’s to build a life that makes me feel alive. Whether that means writing a poem after work, painting on the weekends, or simply noticing the beauty in everyday moments—that is the creative life.
And that is enough. How do you stay inspired in your creative journey? Let’s talk in the comments. 💡✨
x Izza
