Is it normal to hate being creative?

67% Normal
7 Comments

I'm pretty good at drawing and other 'creative' things. I daydream all the time too (elaborate fictional storylines) but... I hate it. I hate being creative. I don't want to be an artist, I want to be a doctor!

I just can't get the hang of math without someone holding my hand. I'd never draw another picture or sculpt another figure again if I could just have a natural understanding of algebra and science instead. I just really resent it and am always at odds with the creative side of myself. I'd feel like a failure if I 'gave in' and became an artist just because I'm 'good' at it.

Is this normal? (Hating whatever you're good at, not just art.)

Voting Results
67% Normal
Based on 90 votes (60 yes)
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Comments ( 7 )
  • pala
    12 years ago

    In his book "How To Be A Doctor When You're Not Good At Algebra But Are Quite Creative", Horace Q. Blowfly says: Don't let strangers play your flute.

    I never said it was a good book.

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  • lilpup
    6 years ago

    I found this page soley because I was hating myself right now for being artistic. all my life i've been artistic, and i was always told to KEEP being artistic, that I was good at it. But now I'm a failure as an adult. being an artist is not secure. Not only is the artist market saturated with so many artist that no one even stands out, being employed as an artist (working on someone else's project) even feels like a waste of creativity. Like a noose around your creativity that slowly chokes it out.

    It just feels like a no-win situation and I wish that I wasn't an artist so that my brain would be happy doing other things that bring more security and pay off and make you feel like you're work is actually worth something.

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  • up-late
    12 years ago

    A lot of jobs have overlapping skills with art. Break everthing down (the practical details), what exacly you're good at, what you're not, what each entails and what you do and don't like about them. Then try to match those to different types of work. Also consider what traits and activities exactly you like about the jobs you want and where else you can find them. Being an artist is one of the toughest occupations you could choose so don't feel like you would be copping out if you succeed at it.

    BTW I went through the same thing and ended up doing what I was good at not because I felt I didn't have a choice but because I saw a way I could use it to achieve what I'd wanted from the occupation I wasn't suited to.

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    I feel this way, in the sense that I don't think I'd ever make it as an artist, and I know that I'd be much more successful doing something else.

    But, I love art and being creative, and I really hate everything else. I just wish art was a more demanding field.

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  • Venchen
    12 years ago

    Well, then just stop drawing etc and focus on the things you like. Whrere's the problem? Nobody's forcing you to become something you don't like just because you're good at it :)
    And if you want to become a doctor, put all your effort into it and leave your creativity be.

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    • visualguy
      12 years ago

      agreed. a little skeptical of the premise though -- of all the painters I know, they can't sculp. of the few sculpters I know, they can't draw. of the hundred pro artists I know, none would trade talent for being a doctor. being able to draw doesnt make you an artist. hmm.

      i'd never give up being creative for anything though. it's who I am. I worked at fermi lab when I was 16, got a bunch of science awards and a free ride to college from ACT and SAT scores. I skipped that path because research science seemed like feeding the war machine (70s). after tumbling around a bit, I discovered photo and it fed both sides of my brain. architecture fit as well. that's my suggestion -- feed both sides of your brain. if that's too hard, maybe you're not as creative as you think. be a medical illustrator.

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  • karmasAbich
    12 years ago

    I can be the same. its normal to want to be like, what you want to be in the professional field. If that makes sense.
    I try to be okay at both worlds. Practice your algebra, and practice some more. You will get the hang of it.put your effort into it whole heartedly and im sure you will be great at it. Hope i helped.

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