The MOOD Podcast

The Performance Trap and Creative Amnesia - Moments of Mood, 2.7


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That familiar question we all dread - "So, what do you do?" - is more than small talk. It's a sorting mechanism that triggers our instinct to perform rather than connect. We scramble to sound impressive, to land in the 'interesting' pile, polishing our titles and subtly flexing our achievements. But this performance comes at a cost: the more we perform, the more we forget our authentic voice.

Childhood creativity gives way to adult performance so gradually we barely notice it happening. One day you're drawing in your sketch book; the next you're color-coding spreadsheets and wondering when you last created something not measured by metrics. Creativity gets replaced by correctness, expression by efficiency, and authenticity by applause-seeking. Yet this creativity - this ability to make, imagine, and see possibilities - isn't just for artists. It's a birthright we all possess, not something we achieve, but something we remember.

What if the secret to finding your voice isn't adding more credentials, techniques, or polish? What if it's about stripping away the performance, the masks, the need to impress? When we create from truth instead of performance, something profound shifts. People respond differently - not because we're technically perfect, but because we're genuinely present. In a world drowning in information but starving for imagination, creativity isn't indulgent - it's revolutionary. Because when people reconnect with their creative voice, they don't just make better work, they live more honest lives. They challenge broken systems, speak truth when silence is expected, and imagine possibilities beyond current paradigms. Your creativity isn't lost; it's just buried under expectations and fear. Stop asking what others want to hear and start asking what you actually want to say. The world doesn't need more performance. It needs more of you.

Happy Shooting.

__________________________________________

Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!

Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work.

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www.mattjacobphotography.com

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The MOOD PodcastBy Matt Jacob

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