Hi! Welcome to the 4 CreativeWheels newsletter — your weekly dose of insights on creativity and fuel for your creative journey.

Week #31! We’re going strong in 2025. The month of January is already coming to an end. For some, it was too long. But for me, I think time passed quickly. Or maybe that’s a facade? Who knows. All in all, the adventure continues.

In this week’s issue, we will venture into the world of the image society portrays when it comes to being an introvert and discuss how it relates to us creatives.

Without further ado…

Let’s start the ride!

Main Wheel

We all have beliefs and ideas about ourselves. Sometimes they are true. Sometimes they are deceitful. And sometimes we hold them because we've been told, "That's how things are." Introverts are one group that has been affected by the third reason.

Introverts are misunderstood. Yes, that is old news. Others could argue that it was so back then, but the world has changed. However, even today, introverts are misunderstood. They have been labeled and put in a box.

Unfortunately, most introverts have embraced those labels. They accustomed themselves to fit in those boxes. And even when there is no tangible evidence to support those restraints, they twist their experience and use it as evidence. What was is not what actually was. What was becomes what should be.

In a sense, they conform to those boxes because of the facade of comfort it provides. I am an introvert. Society says that an introvert is reserved and remains in his corner alone. Hence, whenever I am in my corner alone, I am a proper introvert.

I am an introvert. Society says I cannot speak in public. Therefore, whenever I am to speak publically and I collapse, I am a normal introvert. I am an introvert. Society declares that it is an insurmountable mountain for me to socialize with other human beings. Thus, whenever I do not socialize with others, I am simply being a typical introvert.

Though these sound harmless, such ways of reasoning limit many introverts. Being an introvert does not equal all those things. Yes, you do enjoy your alone time. Yes, you can be nervous before speaking publically (Who isn't anyway). And yes, it can be challenging for you to socialize with others. However, is it truly because you're an introvert?

Or perhaps it is because you believe what has been said about introversion, that you limit yourself by avoiding such situations. In the avoidance of those situations, you remove the possibility to grow through practice and experience. As a result, you continue to fail in them. "Introversion" becomes an invisible and destructive authority.

Most things in life can be learned. Most skills in life can be practiced. Anyone can grow and develop the skills they need or want. The essential part is to practice what you desire. To avoid doing so form a dark place. That is where the beliefs and ideas we have about ourselves come from. It's where they become the invisible authorities we cannot overthrow.

I am an introvert. I used to be way too reserved and constantly remained in my corner. I used to fear speaking in public. I would do anything I could to avoid it. To socialize with others was harder than to get an A in that teacher's class who prides herself in being unreasonably strict.

Yet, I am presently different from my past version. Am I an introvert? Of course, yes, I still am. Nonetheless, I realized that there were legitimate and illegitimate reasons for those impediments. After reflection, I discovered that those illegitimate reasons were worse than a salesman selling a cheap-made product as durable. They were all frauds.

For the legitimate reasons, I found out that there was more to them. They were not solely limited to my introversion. The well was deeper than I thought. With that realization, I took the steps necessary to make the needed change.

I escaped what I thought was true and explored what I realized was the truth. The truth was, I was capable of more. There is nothing wrong with having restraints and loving them. The problem abides in the acceptance and exclusion of questioning.

Did I enjoy remaining in my corner? Yes, I did sometimes. But for the other times, nothing bound me to that corner. I had a choice to leave and see what else was there.

Did I enjoy the fear of speaking in public? Heck, no. The fear was in the absence of preparation. I wasn't imprisoned to miss a chance to prepare. Moreover, the unfamiliar is always scary. So, the more I speak in public, the less I am unfamiliar with it. And even though the fear or anxiety can present itself, I already know it's not a stop.

Did I enjoy not socializing with others? Sometimes, yes. For the other times, nothing limited me to not do so. Additionally, I was missing out on people I would connect with. What I was devoid of was not desire or ability, but the development of the skills necessary. Social skills are just like other skills. When I learned that, I socialized more. Was every attempt a success? No, of course not. But it was worth it.

Similarly, creatives have their own version of introversion. It can be that you are the artistic type, hence you cannot be technical enough. It can be that you are the free and spontaneous type, hence you cannot be consistent and punctual. And it can be that you are the craftsperson type focused only on the creation, hence you cannot be business-savvy.

Those deceptions propel us to a perpetual cycle of stagnation. We lack the desire to do something because "That's how things are." We do not go for the needed improvement. The opportunities and growth we could have are lost in our submission. It does not have to be this way.

We are all free to make the decisions right for us. Yes, things can be as they are. Perhaps there was no change made in the past. There could be even evidence that supports a belief or idea. Yet, that does not and should not determine one's willingness to explore and emerge in a new area. You are only certain of something when you reflect on it and even try it out.

So, what is your current introversion? What is something you've blindly put off because of what you currently believe? Is it true? Or is it how you think things are? Is it that you sincerely do not have the prowess to move? Or is it that you are afraid of the unknown? Only you can have the answers.

Inspiring Wheels

Here are two (or more) creative works that you’ll not regret checking out:

• "Doing More is Killing Your Creativity" - Skymography | A wonderful video on one of the most known and misunderstood creative principles. A pretty amazing take on "Less is more."

• "Making music in a world that's falling apart" - Mandelbro | This is one of those pieces where making a comment or a prelude to the piece would not do the work justice. So, just experience it for yourself. You won’t regret it.

Want to share this issue of 4CW with a friend, colleague,… any human being? Just copy and paste this link: https://4creativewheels.beehiiv.com/p/january-30-2025 😉 😃

Thank you so much for reading! 

As always, feel free to reply to this email & share your thoughts, stories, and any experience related to this topic. I’d love to hear them!  

C ya next Week! 

Embracing Creativity™,

Richard M.

Want to work with me? Contact me here