The Emptiness of Consumption: Why Creating is the Real Path to Happiness

Pre-Prison, I was a consumer of things and content.

But underneath, I desperately wanted to create things and content.

I wanted to innovate, invent, and write but was too afraid to try.

Trying meant I’d fail, I’d succeed, I’d be seen and heard for who I really wanted to be.

No, I couldn’t risk that.

So I consumed more, hoping at some point I’d be satiated and fill the emptiness slowly taking over my life.

The funny thing is, the more I consumed, the hungrier I became and the emptier I felt.

Post-prison, I create things and content.

And I still struggle with failure, success, and the sometimes all-consuming fear of being seen and heard for who I really want to be.

I’m facing a terrible internal struggle as I write my second book; I know what I want to say.

I can feel the words, but I can’t seize them.

I know I’m the only thing standing between me and the words, and when I get out of my own way, they will come; they’re there for the taking.

And then I can write about how I got out of my own way; hopefully, it will help someone else who’s getting…