The Paradox of Creativity: A Luxurious Necessity

Artist’s Life, No. 1. Hughie Lee-Smith, 1939. Courtesy the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland.

To create is to live, but in a world that tells us to produce, creativity can feel like a luxury.

It’s funny how things we once considered necessities can, over time, come to be seen as luxuries. We still need them, but in a world that tells us to produce, reclaiming them feels so radical that they seem like indulgences.

Rest is a prime example. Our bodies need and crave it, yet we often sacrifice it for the sake of productivity, wealth, and acquisition. Rest has become so devalued that even when we pursue it, we do so with a tinge of guilt, hiding behind labels like “therapeutic laziness” instead of simply calling it what it is: rest.

I’ve been pondering a similar question lately: Is creativity a luxury, or is it a necessity?

The Innate Nature of Creativity

Creativity is something we don’t have to attain; it’s naturally within us. Human beings are inherently creative. We are problem solvers, and we have an innate ability to find beauty in the world around us. As writer Susan Cain said, “We are creatures who are born to transform pain into beauty” through our stories, songs, and art. It’s essential to human nature.

The Luxuriousness of Creative Pursuits

Yet, deliberately engaging in creative practices can feel quite luxurious. For me, setting aside time to write feels a bit naughty. There are a million other things I could do with that time, but I understand that creativity is essential to who I am and worthy of my investment. After writing a few words, even if they’re things no one will ever see, I feel a sense of therapy and restoration.

Creativity as a Lavish Gift

I wonder, if people saw practicing creativity as a lavish gift to themselves, they would appreciate it more often. We wouldn’t see it as a waste of productive time or something that takes the place of income-generating opportunities. We would see it for what it truly is: a treasure, a gift.

This paradox—that something so essential can feel so indulgent—is at the heart of living a refined life. It's about recognizing the value of those practices and passions that nourish our souls, even amidst a culture that often prioritizes constant productivity. It’s about choosing wisely, focusing on choices that have the biggest impact, and trading off non-essential commitments to make space for what truly matters.  

Ultimately, it’s up to each of us to decide how to integrate creativity into our lives. There is no one right answer, and the balance between necessity and luxury will likely shift depending on our individual circumstances and priorities.

If you are the copyright holder of any image(s) used in this post and wish for them to be removed, please contact us.