Tag: SelfReflect

Natalie Zeifman (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

If you’re a creative person who enjoys making things, there are definitely opportunities to turn your favorite hobby into a side hustle that could help make you a bit more money at the end of the month, or at the very least help cover the cost of what you already love to do.

Online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace are now widely used, and while the majority of listings on these websites are for used items, many people do take advantage of the popularity of these venues to sell their original art.

Local markets for farmers and artists are also becoming a mainstay of many cities and towns. From the weekly market to the larger festival, there is the option to book a table to sell your work. 

Local cafes and home decor stores are also known to display or sell local art, so it doesn’t hurt to approach them with your work as well. 

If writing is more your jam, there are quite a few magazines, journals and newspapers which will pay you for your poems, short stories or articles. It can be competitive and the majority of publications do not financially compensate non-staff writers, but it can still be a great way to get more recognition for your work. Databases such as The Submission Grinder can help writers find the publishers that best fit what they write.

Of course sales aren’t guaranteed so it’s best to do your creative hobbies for the joy of them,  and to start small and see what response you get when attempting to sell your work. 

It’s also good to know that attempting to make money off of your hobbies can come with both benefits and drawbacks. Certainly being financially compensated and recognized for your work can feel amazing, and putting your work out into the public more purposefully can help further your career. Trying to make your creative pursuits more financially lucrative can also help encourage you to increase the quality of your work, and motivate you to produce more. 

On the other hand, it can take away from the joy of a hobby to feel that you have to do it, especially if you feel pressured to do it at a pace that isn’t natural to you. You may feel financially pressured to produce pieces that aren’t as personally meaningful to you. It also takes time, effort and sometimes even extra financial cost to sell your work, on top of producing it.

Some people prefer to keep the ‘work’ out of their hobbies, while others deeply enjoy making their hobbies into another source of income. You may just need to try it to know. 

All that being said, here is a list of hobbies that could bring you both creative joy and a financial boost in the coming new year:

• Painting. Whether water color, acrylic, or oil paint, on canvas, paper or wall. This art form has so much variety and you can take it up rather inexpensively with dollar store supplies. 
• Re-painting and decorating old furniture. 
• Making wooden constructions such as plant stands, tables, fireplace mantles etc. Many hardware stores will cut the wood to your dimensions on request, so all you have to do is hammer the pieces together and decorate as you wish. 
• Jewelry making. Wire based jewelry is especially easy to work with, but people who wish to advance their skills further can also take up some small scale metal work right in their own kitchen. 
• Embroidery. Embroidered designs are becoming popular these days and can be hung on the wall. You could also offer custom embroidery of items with a couple’s names, favorite lyrics, pretty designs etc.  
• Knits and crochet. All kinds of items can be knit or crocheted from socks to purses to hanging plant baskets. 
• Driftwood and found item creations. Many things are being made with natural found items these days and they are quite popular. There are driftwood sculptures, driftwood and hanging yarn decorations, vases glued with seashells and rocks etc. 
• “Book nooks” or bookend dioramas. I highly recommend looking these guys up as they are so cute and creative. Book nooks have gained popularity recently. They are basically little mini-world dioramas that take up about a shoebox of space which can be placed on bookshelves. You can paint a shoebox, fill it with fake foliage or clay figures… The sky is the limit. 
• Sewing fabric creations. If you love to sew, you can make fancy custom clothing or even pillows with fun material.
• Soap or candle making. While you do need to get some special materials to make these guys, the process itself is relatively easy and they can be fun to customize.
• Cooking and baking. You can check out BC’s Guideline for the Sale of Foods at Temporary Food Markets here. 
• Writing. Poems, short stories, articles, or even your own book. Join a local writer’s club for support, tips and inspiration. 
• Photography. Although photography is probably one of the more expensive hobbies a person can pick up, there is potential to make side income in it. If you can develop your skill enough, you can become an event or wedding photographer. You can also find large frames at local thrift shops and sell framed prints. There is potential to offer out the photoshop skills associated with photography as well. 
• Pottery making. Although clay material does need a kiln oven to set properly, you can often bring your pieces into pottery studios or recreation centers which will fire your pieces for a fee. Make-your-own-ceramic studios can also provide you all the materials you need on site.  
• Music busking. Although regulations vary by city and you may need to apply for a yearly license, if you’re feeling brave enough to show off your musical skill, it can be a way to both add life to your city and make a little bit of extra income. 
• Custom clothing design. Using fabric paint or the combination of special transfer paper, an inkjet printer and an iron, you can make custom designs for clothes that are particular to local tastes and culture. 

The beauty that art brings to the world has been valued for thousands of years and it is unlikely to ever go out of style. Have no doubt that there is value in making art a part of life. 

Happy creativity in the new year!

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Leave your thoughts for Natalie in the comments below — better yet, start up a dialogue with the Low Entropy community in person at a Conscious Connections meeting or online at our community site. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube to stay up-to-date with Low Entropy news!

Najmuddin Hossaini, Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

Everyone agrees that creativity exists, but what creativity is, how it can be understood, and how innovation emerges may be a matter of debate. To better explain, people have definitions of imagination, not an all-encompassing perception. That is because the nature of pluralistic societies requires that we need to recognize the existence of different views on phenomena. Moreover, the norms of a tolerant humane community expect the residents to be flexible and modest toward others in addition to social affairs. Thus, in this brief article, we strive to investigate the inquiry “what is creativity?” as well as review the obstacles to it from perspectives of social and cultural contexts.

Robert E. Franken has written: “Creativity is the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.” According to him, apart from the positive or negative result creativity may bring, it is the process of producing something that is personally or generally favored. To know Kant’s position, Scott Barry Kaufman in online Scientific American wrote: “Kant conceived of artistic genius as an innate capacity to produce works of ‘exemplary originality’ through the free play of the imagination, a process that does not consist in following rules, can neither be learned nor taught and is mysterious even to geniuses themselves.”

In contrast, Nietzsche relates creativity to moral values. He believed that a creative individual is possessing a higher humane value only for being creative. “Creative individuals are the highest human exemplars and humanity should be organized in such a way that promotes and is conducive to their existence, since it is creative individuals that are the ‘improvers of mankind’ and who will construct and direct culture.” (Puszczalowski, Philip, University of Calgary). It looks like Nietzsche believed that master morality comes true by creative persons and through this way, they explore their individual uniqueness. 

Barriers to Creativity 

Generally being purposeless, fearful, resistant to change, not thinking, and unwilling to improve are considered obstacles to creativity, however, we need to see and study some of the complex restrictions to artistry in the context of cultures. For instance, the custom of Sati “chaste wife” was a Hindu practice in which a widow woman sacrifices herself at the funeral of her dead husband. It was a kind of literal suicide that prevented women from any sort of blooming individually and socially for centuries. Another phenomenon that had involved Indian society for hundreds of years was the issue of Caste. This unwelcome situation removed the possibility of any kind of tolerance, consistency, and altruism from the Indians and made that country a land where it was difficult to experience a moral, honorable and humane life. Following many decades or even centuries of scientific, cultural, and even political elites’ efforts, the good is, after India’s independence, the custom of Sati and Caste culture were legally banned and considered morally obscene.

About 44 years ago, a revolution occurred in Iran, which historians have recognized as an Islamic revolution, that is, a religious one. The revolt was led by Ayatollah Rohullah Khomeini; a religious leader who was now considered a political leader as well. One of the first political-religious decrees of Mr. Khomeini required all girls and women to wear hijabs. The scenario did not end there. They passed an Islamic constitution, which said that women were banned from many rights, including running for the presidency, judging, going to sports stadiums, and leaving the country without their husband’s consent. As a result, Iranians, especially women, have been enduring suffocating hardships and spent multiple costs struggling to regain their most basic human rights. Now, Iranians’ protest is not demand-oriented, but change-oriented. In another example, the Taliban in Afghanistan relying on a kind of interpretation of religion has been imposing many restrictions on girls and women so they are systematically removed from all social spheres, including attending schools, and universities, and working in public or private organizations. 

Although many believers, even religious thinkers claim that the actions of Mr. Khomeini and Haibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Taliban have nothing to do with their faith rather they use religion as a tool; nonetheless, looking at religion’s history, its social manifestations, and holy texts; the perception that religion is the factor and facilitator of such behaviors is closer to the on-going reality. From the author’s point of view, in such a situation, not only religion and religious culture itself are obstacles to creativity, but those who deny the negative role of religion in this field are also involved in suppressing originality, and the idea of ​​innovation.

What do we understand? 

When we talk about creativity, we usually think of it as an individual’s idea or art, while the obstacles to creativity are generally social factors. The stronger manner of creativity may be person-centric, visible, or invisible, but its deep connection with culture, religion and social norms always takes it beyond the level of the individual. Besides, in a democratic culture, ingenuity becomes more possible, nevertheless, in closed societies, especially religious, absolutist, discriminative, and misogynist cultures, creativity is limited or even prohibited. If an action other than the predetermined rules is done, it is likely troublesome for the creative person.

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Najmuddin Hossaini holds a master’s in philosophy from the University of Pune, India, and a bachelor’s in journalism and Political Public Relations from Herat University, Afghanistan. He has published many articles on the subjects of human rights, women’s rights, education rights of women, peace talks, the Taliban extremism, violence, and environmental issues.

MacKenzie Chalmers (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

Art and creativity are two words that hold a relationship with one another, but can be used individually. Art is visually creating a product that catches the attention of viewers through the design or the messages and emotions felt when observing. Audiences can be attracted to the colours used, the lack of colour, or the composition. Creativity is thought of as using ideas and imagination to form a complete product, solve a problem, create visual work or to help communicate a message to an audience. These two concepts work together when someone is creating a piece of art. Creative ideas are being used to visually produce art for an audience and to communicate a message. 

Art has transformed from being known as paintings in galleries or drawings on paper, to digital dance, musicals or theatre. A dance routine, a song, a play, or a photograph or video are art forms that visually create a message and design to audiences. People produce these types of art in ways to visually tell a story. 

I would always use the terms art and creative to describe myself growing up. I was known as the “art kid” or the “creative kid”. If we were doing a class assignment, I would always be picked to be the artist. My writing pieces would always be read aloud by my teachers to demonstrate the desired way to communicate a message they were looking for. 

Looking deeper, the terms art and creativity mean storytelling and expression for me. They are used to communicate a story to viewers. In my life, I have always used art and my creative thinking to tell a story. 

I am a photographer and videographer and my entire goal when producing new work is to tell a story. I enjoy creating work with the goal to bring forth a message to my audience. A photograph can be pretty, or glamourous. While I incorporate those factors into my photographs, I like to have other focused components. A simple portrait can show the exhaustion someone is facing. A nature shot can demonstrate the conditions of the environment surrounding us. A couple portrait can show the struggles being faced. It is about composition and emotion. I can show the happiness, or sadness felt. Creativity is being used to produce these art pieces and to best determine how to express the messages and stories to be told. 

Additionally, I am a writer. I create fictional stories that are based on real experiences. I base plot lines, and character traits on real life situations, while continuing to add ideas to keep the story interesting. I examine the theme of the story, the messages I want to bring forth within the plot and what I would want people to receive from the story once it was finished. By incorporating my own thoughts and emotions into my writing and into the plot and characters I create, I am sharing pieces of my story or the story I want to tell into my writing. 

Both of these terms are part of my identity. I do some form of art most days and I am using my creativity daily. Whether I am brainstorming for a new project, writing down my experiences and how I can incorporate them into my work, or mapping out locations and themes for a new art project, I am constantly being artistic and being creative. 

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MacKenzie is a digital media enthusiast with interests in various aspects of media. She takes part in novel hunting, photo and video creating, and creative writing.

Cassandra Di Lalla (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

The cool thing about creative outlets is that you can have multiple. Neato speedo, right? Psychedelic, don’t you think? Yes and yes!

I’ll start by saying that I can’t even draw a straight line with a ruler so that one’s a hard pass for me. Although, abstract art counts as a creative outlet so I can toot my horn a tad. That was a joke because I’m mediocre at best.

But, writing on the other hand – I’m convinced I was born with a pair of poetic pants on since writing for me feels so effortless. I admit that I get writer’s block but that’s okay! Ever heard of brain farts? Thought flatulence? Mind cramps? Whichever way you word it – I occasionally experience those and that’s also okay!

Do you know how I discovered my passion for written expression? I was in middle school and I was going through some not so nice times; I was at that age and in that stage where the pressure to fit in was undeniably and noticeably forced on by my peers. I wasn’t pretty enough, I wasn’t skinny enough, I wasn’t good enough, I was too weird and different, etc. So, of course all this negativity and the discouraging words/actions towards me caused me to feel pain and anger…even confusion…and that’s where ‘word vomit’ came to life in my world. It was the thoughts, feelings, emotions, experiences, and everything in between that led me to write because I was deeply hurt. I don’t think I ever looked back since then because written expression is so beautiful and diverse, and writing is in my blood. 

Some individuals were blessed as multi-talented species and I’ve always been so curious to know their story…where and how it all started. Like, did they just wake up one day and decide that they’re going to be wizards and witches and make everything work in their favour? Or did it happen like me where it was a ‘work in progress’ type of story that became a ‘wow factor’ solely based on expressing the way they felt whether it was through lyrics, a sketch, a culinary creation, a sewing surprise, etc.

I feel that a creative outlet is not something people do ‘by the book’. Like, these are things that people enjoy doing whether there is a feeling behind it or they do it just because they’re talented. They say that if you’re doing something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life, which is true. But, if you’re earning money for it then it simply means it’s a dream that became a reality. Magical, right? 

It’s important to note that in order for you to excel in what you do, it’s much easier if you have the drive in you and the motivation because sometimes we’re just not in the mood to be creative since taking a nap sounds like a better plan or watching funny YouTube videos sounds like your cup of tea in that moment. But remember, that is absolutely okay because literally everybody is entitled to nap time. Actually, nap time could also be considered your creative outlet because, oddly enough, a lot of good ideas for a writing prompt come from dreams that you have or simply because you’re in such a relaxed state that the creativity just flows like a river. 

I don’t know, I feel like that resonates very well with me. Do you feel connected to that at all? I feel like many people have an ‘Aha’ moment when they’re dreaming or as soon as they’ve woken up…it’s pretty nifty!

Do you know what else? Your creative outlet doesn’t have to ‘be a thing’. It doesn’t have to be something that others are already doing and it doesn’t have to conform to societal norms because at the end of the day, you’re making a choice and that choice should be one that you’re ecstatic about!

Your creative outlet can be discovered in the most unconventional, most unorthodox way or it can be brought to light in your typical day-to-day environment yet your new found outlet could motivate others to go on their own creative journey…maybe it’ll even become a worldwide trend. Who knows what goes in the year 2023.

Have you ever had a conversation with yourself about your strengths, weaknesses, your hopes, your dreams, and everything that comes before or after that? I have, on several occasions! Self-reflection is an important part of life and an unapologetic practice to keep yourself mentally engaged in life’s tricks and traps, because sometimes life puts you on ‘standby mode’ while your brain tries to figure everything out. If and when you take the time to self-reflect, you will learn an incredible amount of things about yourself that oftentimes lead to creative expression in some form or another.

I say this because these conversations can get deep and sometimes difficult but it’s such a cool moment when you’re able to allow yourself to feel all these things that eventually turn into a craft, your extracurricular activity, your safety blanket when life is playing games with you, your side hustle when things get crazy with finances, or even your real rescue when your mind is tired beyond mending or when your soul is just too sore.

Your creative outlet may have just become your best friend and they committed a crime by killing your loneliness.

 

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Cassandra Di Lalla lives life purposefully. She enjoys reading, writing and mental health initiatives. She’s an animal lover for life and an innovative individual always finding new ways to create.