Capitalism seriously stresses me out

I totally get it. This feeling of capitalism squeezing the joy out of art? It's real. I've been there, staring at a blank canvas or a half-finished project, wondering if it's 'marketable enough' instead of just letting myself create simply for the love of it. The original title, 'Capitalism seriously stresses me out,' perfectly captures this sentiment that so many of us feel. It's not you, it's genuinely the system that demands a 'sacrifice' of our pure intentions. For a long time, I actually abhorred the very idea of putting a price tag on my artwork. It felt like a betrayal of the creative process, turning something personal and soulful into just another commodity. Yet, the pressure to monetize creativity is relentless. Everywhere you look, there's advice on how to turn your hobby into a hustle, how to brand yourself, how to sell your 'passion project.' It makes you wonder, why can't we just enjoy each other's art without the expectation of an exchange for profit? This constant push to make money from every facet of life can really drain the enthusiasm out of what we once loved. The internet, which once felt like a liberating space for sharing and connection, now often feels like Times Square – loud, busy, oversaturated, and frankly, hostile. Everyone is trying to sell you something! What used to be a community where I could share my scribbles about art, the internet, and humanity, now feels like a battleground for attention and sales. Between chasing the right hashtags, trying to understand fickle algos, creating endless reels, and dealing with bots and platform fees, it's easy to feel utterly tired. It's an exhausting cycle that rarely feels truly rewarding on a creative level. So, how do we navigate this? For me, it's been about redefining what success means. It's not always about the likes or the sales. Sometimes, it's simply the act of creating itself, the process of bringing an idea to life. I’ve found solace in creating pieces that will never be sold, just for my own enjoyment or to share with a close-knit group where the focus isn't on commercial value. Setting boundaries with social media has also been crucial. Stepping back from the constant clamor of the internet allows me to reconnect with the pure joy of making art. Learning to create without the burden of expectation has been a journey. It’s about remembering why I started in the first place, before the pressures of capitalism seeped into my creative space. It’s a quiet rebellion, perhaps, but one that allows me to keep my artistic spirit alive and vibrant, even amidst the noise.