Why should I do something creative when the end result is pointless?

[loomis]

Just as the title says. I'm feeling bored today and don't want to play video games. I've always been decent at drawing and with nothing else to do it feels like it could be some thing that could hold my interest. However I feel that if I'm going to do any thing in life outside of games it aught to be some thing that benefits me and allows me to gain an extra skill that I can use to better my life. For instance I just went for my driver's license and now have a skill that I can list on a number of job resumes. I don't think learning guitar would benefit me though since I would be plucking at strings the whole day making horrible noises.

To try and make things clearer I suppose I'm asking what motivates you to learn some thing when you more then likely won't get any thing out of it for a very long time if at all?

Appreciate any answers on this.

 

[Tiger King]

Just as the title says. I'm feeling bored today and don't want to play video games. I've always been decent at drawing and with nothing else to do it feels like it could be some thing that could hold my interest. However I feel that if I'm going to do any thing in life outside of games it aught to be some thing that benefits me and allows me to gain an extra skill that I can use to better my life. For instance I just went for my driver's license and now have a skill that I can list on a number of job resumes. I don't think learning guitar would benefit me though since I would be plucking at strings the whole day making horrible noises.

To try and make things clearer I suppose I'm asking what motivates you to learn some thing when you more then likely won't get any thing out of it for a very long time if at all?

Appreciate any answers on this.

even if what you are doing seems pointless, it does not mean you shouldn't do it.
In the case of creating something you should do it because it makes you happy. When you are drawing do you not feel good? happy? in your 'zone'?
It's not always about the end product but the journey you take to get to that end product.

I also like to sketch and the reason I do it is because I enjoy it and because I'm ok at it. Not brilliant, quit my job and become an artist type of ok but I know I'm not that rubbish ok.
Also (and I think all creative people get a kick out of this) I like it when somebody says 'that's quite good'. It pushes me on to do better.
ultimately when drawing something and the work is flowing out of you it feels good and that's why I do it, because I enjoy it.

If your bored take a break and go outside, get your mind off things and find something that will inspire you.
You should join the creative group here and show off your work!

 

[purf]

Yes, like it's said above... I mean,
you seem to have no problem spending your time with something that serves no purpose (other than enjoyment, that is), otherwise you wouldn't have an account here, right? So... why does the mere thought of being engaged with something in which course you might happen "create" instill this/any expectation? Cliched saying, but the journey can easily be its own reward indeed...

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

snip

What do you get out of creating something?
If you're good at it, you can get a job out of it. I actually work as an artist, all the stuff I draw does improve my resume.

For just a hobby though, (for drawing) it's a wonderful thing to be able to imagine something and put it on paper. The word create does mean, to bring into existence. I also think stuff you make is best shared with other people. They can look at it and say "Wow that's amazing" and then maybe even get inspired themselves.

I will second the creative group [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/The-Escapist-Creative-Society] here on the Escapist.

 

[loomis]

Thanks everyone for the responses. The reason for why I should draw has just troubled me for a long while now and wondered if I was working with the right motivation. As a kid I used to do it because simply; there was nothing else available,lots of time, and I happened to get better at it. As I've gotten older life has made me bitter about doing any thing that does not have a direct award to it. Decided to finally put down the question bothering me into the forums to see what others would think. Thanks again.

 

[Miyenne]

Do it because you enjoy it. You don't need a reason beyond that.

Like Carlsberg, I like it when someone says my work is good. I write, and even if my books barely sell I know they're good and I feel accomplished when I finish them. And hearing my dad's proud of me makes me feel amazing.

 

[Batou667]

To try and make things clearer I suppose I'm asking what motivates you to learn some thing when you more then likely won't get any thing out of it for a very long time if at all?

I like your username! That's got to be an Andrew Loomis reference, right?

To answer your question: the pleasure of doing something for its own sake. Just because something is a) free and b) you don't get paid to do it does NOT mean it's worthless.

And heck, I think you're selling yourself, and also art in general, short if you consider it a waste of time. When you practice art (whether it's visual art, or music, or whatever) you're investing in yourself. Think of it as leveling-up or grinding a skill tree in WoW. You'll be learning fine motor skills, exploring your creativity, and for a lot of people practising a craft is a great opportunity for reflection, meditation almost. If you become part of a community you can meet lifelong friends, rivals, maybe even your future spouse.

Your art may never hang in a gallery and may not earn you so much as a penny but you'll still be richer for having done it.

 

[Lilani]

What exactly do you get out of video games in the long run? Just do what you want in your leisure time. Not everything you do has to "lead to" something. You wouldn't play Skyrim to better your skills as a knight or Mage, so why would you ONLY draw to become the next Da Vinci? It is admirable to want to be so productive even in your downtime, but if it's getting in the way of your happiness the. You should rethink how important that is in the grand scheme. If worrying about such things is keeping you from relaxing your mind and enjoying simple pleasures, then that is a problem.

 

[Lynx]

Why on earth should work/occupation be the only meaningful thing in life? Sounds dull to me.

We work in exchange for food, a roof and a warm place to sleep. If we're lucky we get to work with doing some good in the world, which, if we're empathic enough, feels meaningful. The rest of the time we play/create/grow relationships/dance/sing/tend gardens/go skydiving/play videogames/do everything else to feel happy.

But if you're not happy when you're drawing or playing guitar, then you haven't found the right creative occupation. Try something else, eh?

 

[Mr.Cynic88]

what motivates you to learn some thing when you more then likely won't get any thing out of it for a very long time if at all?

Well in the end we're all dead, so why do anything if you're just going to be dead and gone in less than 100 years?

My answer is: to enjoy life. Find a creative outlet that brings you joy, and work at it. It may take a long time to get truly good at something, but on a daily basis you will improve slightly. If it's something that you enjoy from the start learning won't feel like work, and you'll just slowly improve.

I'll say this: I never regret the things I've learned, however arbitrary. Who knows, you might think it's worthless to spend all kinds of time learning the guitar, but then you go to a job interview with a music enthusiast and the conversation you guys have about technique could be kicker that gets you hired.

Don't think of the end result as pointless. Think of it as fun, because every day is a learning experience.

 

[zxvcasdfqwerzxcv]

For me learning has multiple pleasures. First is the challenge of NOT being good at something, and the pleasure in discovering new knowledge. Second is the journey, from being a complete novice and gradually acquiring a new skill. Finally there is the pleasure in performance (whatever that might mean; playing a song, painting a picture, writing a story, planting your garden) and the joy in the confidence you've acquired. For my own creative work (which I do for both pleasure and 'work' work) the experience is always relived. Every new project begins again with a new learning curve, new challenges and new excitement and encouragement. This is what I find so satisfying about creative work compared to other types of work, where a learned skill maybe just needs to be regurgitated.

 

[Raikas]

To try and make things clearer I suppose I'm asking what motivates you to learn some thing when you more then likely won't get any thing out of it for a very long time if at all?

It's a cliché, but "practice makes perfect" - some things just take a long time (playing an instrument, like you mentioned, but also taking up a sport, or learning a new language or just making your art more impressive). If you never start you never get anywhere. Better to get somewhere in 6 months (or 6 years) than to never move at all, no?

Alternatively, because it's fun? If you love it, who cares if it doesn't advance your life (or if you're crap at it)? I love running, so I run - I have no delusions that I'm going to be making it to the Olympics, it's just for my own enjoyment (and beating my friends, sometimes).

I also think that working towards something (even if you never master it) builds a set of skills in and of itself, and that has value even if you never perfect whatever it is that you're working for.