In a previous article, I shared my struggle with finding a hobby that truly stuck. I always dabbled between different projects, periodically switching from hobby to hobby. My student room was filled with the remnants of various impulsive projects, each abandoned for the next fleeting interest. For the past 18 months, I have been consistently crocheting, and it has profoundly impacted my life. This creative hobby not only inspired self-confidence but also created momentum in other areas of my life.

However, I have come to realize that a creative hobby is much more than just a confidence booster. It is a powerful means of self-realization. In this article, we will delve deeper into the concept of self-realization through creative activities, drawing on the philosophies of Aristotle and Marx to understand its significance and practical applications.

What The Fu*k Is Self-Realization?

Think of it as the process of discovering and fulfilling your true potential. Aristotle believed that self-realization is the key to true happiness, suggesting that we are happiest when we fully develop our abilities and talents. Marx, on the other hand, linked self-realization with creativity. By engaging in creative activities, we can express our unique characteristics, build self-confidence, and see our efforts materialize in tangible forms. This journey of creation allows us to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our capabilities.

Aristotle on Self-Realization: The Key to True Happiness

Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, believed that self-realization is the ultimate path to happiness. He posited that every individual has unique potential and that the highest form of fulfillment comes from actualizing this potential. According to Aristotle, self-realization involves developing one’s virtues and talents to their fullest extent. By doing so, individuals achieve a state of eudaimonia, a profound sense of well-being and contentment derived from living a life aligned with their true nature and purpose.

Marx on Creativity: The Role of Creative Activities in Self-Realization

Karl Marx, the influential 19th-century philosopher, viewed self-realization through the lens of creativity and labor. He believed that creativity is a fundamental human capacity and that engaging in creative activities is essential for true self-fulfillment. According to Marx, the act of creating allows individuals to express their unique characteristics and abilities, leading to self-realization. This view highlights the transformative power of creative hobbies and meaningful work.

Marx’s Critique of Capitalism: The Need for Creative Outlets

Marx is well-known for his criticism of capitalist society, where creativity in work is often stifled. In such systems, individuals typically contribute only a small part to the creative process, unable to see a creation through from beginning to end, and are generally discouraged from including personal expression in their work. As a result, people feel alienated from their labor.

While there are jobs where you can oversee a product from start to finish and where personal input is valued, these opportunities are not always accessible to everyone. Therefore, finding a creative outlet elsewhere becomes crucial. If you find yourself in a role that limits your involvement to a small segment of the creation process, make sure to engage in creative activities outside of work to fulfill your need for self-expression and personal growth.

Steps to Self-Realization: Tips for Exploring Creative Hobbies

For those of us who need to find creative endeavors outside of work – or for all you enthusiasts who want to create even more – here are a few tips to get started with a creative endeavor:

1. How to Find the Right Creative Activity
   
   Experiment with different hobbies such as programming, writing, painting, gardening, or knitting. For inspiration, think of what you like to read about or watch online. Or, just look around you at others and copy their hobby ideas. Google lists of hobbies and note down what you would like to try. Don’t worry if what you come up with is niche or weird. Just get started. Discover what resonates with you to sustain engagement and enjoyment.
   
2. The Importance of a Trial Period in Finding the Right Hobby
   
   Hobbies are always hard at the beginning. In his TEDx Talk Josh Kaufman discusses the learning curve of learning new skills. In his own words “when you start, you’re grossly incompetent […]. With a little bit of practice you get really good real quick”. He argues that we generally become pretty good at any skill after having practised that skill for 20 hours.
   
   My suggestion: plan about 15 – 20 hours of commitment to the new hobby that you want to start. If you don’t like it after that period, quit and find something else.
   
3. Embrace Imperfection: The Value of Making Terrible Things
   
   A wise piece of advice by author and storyteller Matthew Dicks which I discussed in another article is to expect and accept that you will make terrible things in the process. This is part of the journey. Rather than inhibit yourself because you want to make A-Level paintings, programs, miniature furniture or whatever your chosen hobby has become, accept the fact that:
   
   • … your painting will look more like a child’s drawing than a Picasso,
   • … your program will be horribly inefficient and you will not be able to understand what you were doing 6 months from now, and
   • … your friends will not be able to tell if you were making a miniature sofa or a miniature car.
     
     It is all fine, as long as you create these terrible things, move on and progress your skill. Beautiful things will come in the future. The beauty in your terrible productions is what you have learned from them.

Create Something Today

What I am trying to convince you off in a long-winded 1000+ words, is to start creating! Today! It does not matter what, as long as there is a (physical or digital) product of sorts that you can be proud of by the end of your creation. Make something and genuinely appreciate the fact that you made something. Creation is one of humanity’s most powerful superpowers.

Sources

Self-Actualization by Wikipedia
Self-Realization by Wikipedia
Defining Creativity and Its Rols in Marx’s Philosophy by Carlos Avila
TEDx Talk: The First 20 Hours by Josh Kaufman

Banner Photo By: Jr Korpa