The Creative Hoarder's Dilemma

Hoarding: the act of collecting large amounts of something and keeping it for yourself, often in a secret place - Cambridge Dictionary

I am in the process of creating. Thought leaders encourage us to put our work out into the world -Seth Godin says to ship your work, and Rick Rubin calls it releasing. It's not about creating the perfect piece and then releasing it—it's about creating and shipping again and again. Yet, like many creators, I often hoard my work, holding back because I worry about what others might think.

Ironically, I don't consider myself a "hoarder" in the traditional sense. I associate the term with physical things and find it easy to let those go. My ego even likes to boast about how I'm a minimalist. My son's girlfriend called me the "anti-hoarder" as I made my kids let go of their childhood things that were taking up space in my garage.

The practice of non-attachment is noble, and I find it easy when it comes to physical possessions. I even catch myself judging those who hoard their things. But with ideas and creative work? That's different. In that space, I hold on tight. The fear of the external world is fierce, and my ego whispers, "Stay small—it's wild out there. You might be eaten alive."

It's easy to criticize, so we hesitate, afraid of judgment. Critics often throw the first punch, perhaps to protect themselves from their own inner voices of judgment and comparison. But they remain on the sidelines, watching others take risks rather than stepping into the arena themselves. Would I rather sit on the sidelines and watch? I might tell myself I would, but in reality, I hate the idea of staying small.

My secret wish has become my daily practice: embracing the thrill of uncertainty and welcoming the courage that shows up. Is it a fearless space? No. It is rife with fear—and that's part of the thrill. Letting go, releasing, and shipping all have fear embedded in them, just like skydiving. The diver leaps without absolute certainty that the chute will open. The only guarantee is that the chute will never open if she stays on the plane. And so it is with our creative work—it can never reach its full potential if we keep it locked away if we continue hoarding our gifts from the world.

*One of the greatest rewards of making art is our ability to share it. Even if there is no audience to receive it, we build the muscle of making something and putting it out into the world. Finishing our work is a good habit to develop. It boosts confidence. Despite our insecurities, the more times we can bring ourselves to release our work, the less weight insecurity has. - Rick Rubin*