When I was lost in the fog of college, I found my compass in creativity.
It wasn’t a planned route; it was a desperate leap.
Picture this: I was adrift, a typical college student with no real sense of direction. The textbooks felt disconnected, the lectures, distant. I was lost in a sea of “shoulds” and “what ifs.” Then, something shifted. I dove headfirst into music production and photography – two worlds completely foreign to me. All in an attempt to feel some sense of control.
Let’s be clear: Finding yourself isn’t just a journey. It’s an act of courage. It’s about choosing the unknown over the familiar.
I remember the first time I tried making a beat in FL Studio. I couldn’t figure out where to put the snares and the chords made no sense. The photos I took were cool in the moment, but I had no real understanding of composition or light.
Something ignited in me. This wasn’t just about making music or taking pictures; it was about expressing something that was mine.
In a world full of distractions, where it’s easy to lose focus, creativity became my guide.
Why?
Creativity fuels passion.
I spent hours, late into the night, experimenting. Each failed attempt was a lesson, each small success a burst of energy. I wasn’t just learning skills; I was discovering what made me tick.
Creativity builds skills.
Every YouTube tutorial, every jam session, every late-night photo op added tools to my toolbox.
I was learning to listen, to see, and (most importantly) I was learning to manifest the ideas in my head.
Creativity sparks growth.
As I started to see my work improve – the beats getting cleaner, the photos more intentional – I learned more about myself. It wasn’t just about chasing the latest beat packs or the next big camera purchase anymore. It became about chasing authenticity.
Creativity breeds confidence.
The more I created, the more I believed in my abilities, and the freedom that comes with that competence felt liberating. Suddenly you have the power to turn a sound into a song, a word into a poem, a feeling into an expression, the possibilities are endless.
Creativity connects you.
Sharing my work with people opened doors. I found communities, people who understood the struggle and the joy of creation. I wasn’t alone.
The turning point?
Realizing that music production and photography weren’t just hobbies; they were my story.
I was crafting narratives, expressing emotions and ideas. This realization extended beyond those mediums. I began seeing this in everything – in conversations, in business, in life.
I learned how to learn.
Teaching myself these things taught me how to speak the language of my curiosity. The unknown was no longer a stranger.
At the end of the day, creativity isn’t just about making things. It’s about discovering who you are, what you stand for, and what you’re capable of.
Embrace it.
Nathan Balingit 