just create

Hello, it is I, once again back with another stream of consciousness rant written in one go from my kitchen counter. Recently, I’ve been hitting “writer’s block” when it comes to putting out pieces. I keep attempting to think of interesting ideas or topics for articles, which, ironically, has led to an adverse reaction: I procrastinate on completing them. This constant cycle over the past 2-4 weeks has led to this moment, where I told myself to sit down and write. There is no agenda to the creation; synthesis itself is the only plan.

There is a sense of freedom to simple goals, not necessarily in the amount of work they require, but moreso that the aim itself is broad and thus appears less daunting or forceful. We, humans, tend not to like being forced to do things we aren’t wild about in the first place; in fact, the very “forcing” can make us less wild about them.

I like writing. That fact is obviously apparent to anyone who has read my articles. What people don’t know about me is that I hated writing class in school. I hate being told what to write about, and being forced to create felt quite wrong. I genuinely believe that the act of creation itself is spontaneous by nature, or moreso must be allowed to roam free. All of my articles, research papers, and scribbles have always been my own ideas, written on my own time. Perhaps I am more of a “fervor” writer, as I understand that many others operate differently. Still, I believe one axiom holds true for everyone: autonomy is the fuel for inspiration. I can’t make my kitchen counter a cubicle.

I guess there is a psychological name for this: it’s called the overjustification effect. Basically, it just means that external rewards kill intrinsic motivation. It makes sense in practice. How many people do you know who went into a field of work because they loved doing it on their own, only to be miserable in their jobs now that they are “forced” to do it?

Anyway, my point here isn’t to rant about what’s been going on with me, but to make a point about my recent struggle: we need to stop giving everything an agenda.

Obviously, this idea is not new; it’s the classic “the journey is the way” thing. I think it’s just a good reminder, in an increasingly extrinsically motivated world, that it is essential not to spoil the things you intrinsically enjoy.

This is what I’ll leave you with today: happy New Year’s, and in 2026, make sure to create with no strings attached.