#18 | when the inspiration cycle begins
the inspiration cycle and the challenges of creativity + authenticity, inspirations, and the limits of innovation
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함께 맞는 주말 햇살, 나란히 듣는 재즈 | Jazz Piano | Playlist | 카페 음악 | 로비 음악🎧
Lately, we've been hearing a lot about the importance of being authentic and human in content creation. And the truth is, people really connect with what's genuine, even if it may seem a bit abstract at first. The more authentic the feeling or message, the deeper the impact it has. And this creates a cycle.
We are influenced by everything we come into contact with—a person, a place, a movie, a song, a book, or even a simple social media post. But what truly impacts us is what speaks directly to our soul, what touches the most intimate parts of us.
This impact that comes from connection is powerful but also brings a challenge: comparison. When we connect with others' work, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparison, which can make us lose sight of what makes us unique and what we really want to express. Sometimes, this comparison even makes us question if it's worth continuing.
Instead of motivating us, comparison can paralyse us, make us feel insufficient, or steer us away from our true path. The great challenge is to turn that impact into inspiration, using what we see and feel as fuel to create something authentic. It’s about remembering that each of us has our own path in creation and being grateful for those who inspire us and help us keep this perspective.
Creating is about taking what is unique in us—something awakened by contact with the world—and bringing it to the surface in a way only we can. When we manage to do that, something magical happens: the cycle of inspiration continues. What we create begins to inspire others, and so the wheel turns, often without us even realising it. And life somehow becomes more tolerable.
The digital environment has changed a lot since the beginning: today, everything is faster, fuller, more market-focused, with new references, new algorithms, new rules. But that doesn't mean we have to change that much; we can still follow our own path.
I know everything seems to revolve around the algorithm, and it's easy to get discouraged when it feels like no one is hearing our voice. On social media, we easily lose perspective. We know that 40 people fill a classroom, but 40 views online can seem like almost nothing. But if just one person is inspired by what you've done, the cycle has already continued.
Creating is an act of courage. It takes work, but seeing someone daring to be authentic and keep the cycle going is incredibly inspiring. I think of so many content creators, and even people who create just for the sake of creating, without pretension, who don't even realise how much they influence and impact me. I feel happy, sad, eager to create, to go out, to do something new. I feel proud, inspired, alive, and understood, and I imagine how many others feel the same way.
And so the cycle continues.
“I’ve been doing this for so long I’m not trying to change the world, or I don’t feel like it’s going to make or break me or whatever. It’s just kind of like, “Yeah, this is cool. Well done.” Not like, “Oh, but I don’t look like David Bowie enough, or I don’t look like Prince enough, or I don’t look like whoever enough.” It doesn’t matter. It’s cool. It is what it is. Awesome, let’s go.”
✨ To be inspired! Things I've seen around...
→ For those who love creativity and work in creation, this site is amazing
→ I'm excited for this song to be released
🤖 A very interesting reflection on AI and the limits of innovation
Recently, I came across a powerful reflection on the challenges and dangers involved in regulating artificial intelligence, especially when technology advances at such a fast pace. We talk a lot about the amazing side of AI tools and how they've transformed our lives, but we also need to consider the impact they can have on society. It's easy to get fascinated by new developments, but the question remains: how do we ensure these innovations are used responsibly?
The comparison between the creative freedom in Photoshop and the endless possibilities of AI tools, like Flux, made me think about the limits of innovation. Who is really in control? And more importantly, who should be? These are questions that affect not just creators, but all of us as a society. For those interested in this topic, I highly recommend reading this reflection in the CR_IA newsletter and Debbie Corrano’s “Is Someone Controlling Innovation?". It's worth checking out and reflecting on the role each of us plays in this important debate.
📢 Latest Updates on My Social Media
On the Blog: Manual for Staying Creative in a Saturated World
On the Blog: Being Real on Social Media: The Power of Authenticity
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Hey everyone, I have some great news! I passed the English exam and received an unconditional offer for the master’s program. Classes begin in September, and I’m still working out how to fit my projects into this new chapter. But I’m super excited about the challenges and surprises that lie ahead, and I can't wait to keep sharing this journey with you.
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Until next time,
With love,
Amanda Oliveira-Telò
My book (: • Instagram • TikTok • Etsy