Hook yourself!
This is a rallying cry to all creatives everywhere.
It is the only thing I can tell myself, and you, to honor our highest calling as humans: Creation.
What does it mean?
Seth Godin writes in his book, The Practice, about a communal tradition in Turkey. He explains that when you go to a local bakery, you have the option to pay for an extra loaf, and the owner will hang the extra loaf on a hook. This is done so that if someone in need is looking for food, that bread can be used to relieve that person’s hunger.
Godin goes on to explain that this tradition is an allegory for creatives. “By putting yourself on the hook”, he states “you’re performing a generous act. You are sharing insight and love and magic. And the more it spreads, the more it’s worth to all of those who are lucky enough enough to experience your contribution”.
We’ve oversimplified the idea of creation. It’s not just manifesting something from your mind into the physical realm (already an admirable task). To really create something, means to share it with the world. Not to demand or expect any response—this world doesn’t owe you an audience—but because it is part of the process of creation. Segregating the birthing of an idea from publishing is akin to making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without jelly; it violates the very idea of it.
Yet, I’ll be the first person to admit that the easy path is to think of creation as this initial manifestation. The poem you wrote in your notebook, the sketch you drew in your sketchbook, that song in your voice notes, that business idea in your notes. It feels like a win to even get something out of our minds into the world. And that’s because it is! But it is not everything! It’s missing that marvelous act of generosity of letting the world see us. In a world seemingly more devoid of love and magic, it is critical now more than ever to muster the courage to put our ideas on the hook, to share our love and magic, because this is what the process of creating dictates. It’s an act of love unto others, but most importantly, an act of love unto ourselves.
Next time, you fear sharing your song, publishing your essay, discussing your insight with someone else, just say to yourself “hook yourself!” Say it as often as you need. Say it twice more for every “I can’t” you hear.
Let us not forget. The world is what it is because of doers, because of creators. Our actions safeguard beauty and progress in our society. Under that light, “hook yourself” is more than a mere affirmation. It is our creed.
