Designing Your Creative Life: Lessons from Rick Rubin

When I first bought Rick Rubin's book, "The Creative Act: A way of Being" the cashier kindly winked at me and whispered that it's a very good choice. Honestly, he couldn't have been more right. Rick Rubin's career is so rich that it could fill a whole novel. But here we have this substantial book where he shares with us the key secrets of creation, creativity, and happiness.

The Art of Embracing Failures

My favorite chapter is about failures, and there are many reasons why I resonated with it the most. It's because I'm currently in the process of discovering my artistic self, and it's been more than 20 years since I had to accept that I am not able to draw or paint like I used to when I did it on a daily basis. Rick Rubin wrote that “It's worth noting the distinction between doubting the work and doubting yourself.” This sentence is definitely a great push for me to practice more and accept that there may not be immediate success. Because "Doubting yourself can lead to a sense of hopelessness, of being inherently unfit to take on the task at hand. All-or-nothing thinking is a nonstarter.” I have to be relaxed and okay with making mistakes, and I must handle these situations properly and also learn from them.

 Imperfection could be good, as sometimes these errors, breaks, faults, and cracks tell a story, much like Kintsugi, the Japanese pottery art form. When a piece of ceramic pottery breaks, instead of trying to restore it to its original condition, the artisan accentuates the fault by using gold to fill the crack. I try to apply this to myself and embrace my imperfections.

What immediately struck me in this book is Rick Rubin's effortless style and how open-minded he is towards the world and people. He serves as an example of how one can truly listen to others and delve into the real meaning of things.

At the heart of "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" lies self-acceptance, the courage to create, and self-expression. Rick Rubin shows us how we can become happier by fully tapping into our creativity. The answers to finding solutions and the courage to bring our creations to life can be found within these pages.

The Cover

This book is not only intellectually rich but also visually captivating. The light, almost floating fabric binding brings joy when you hold it in your hands. And its visual design is mesmerizing. As someone for whom design and aesthetics have always played a significant role in life, I can't help but mention the importance of the customer experience and user experience. Just as the richness of the book's content supports the reader, design enhances the user experience and adds value.

Ultimately, "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" is a book whose wisdom and inspiration we can all carry with us wherever we go on the path of creation and creativity. Rick Rubin helps us discover our creative potential and teaches us how to become happier and more fulfilled by unleashing our creative spirit. I recommend this book to every artist and designer, but really, to anyone who seeks to make creativity a part of their everyday life and bring out the best in themselves. Don't hesitate, pick up this book, and immerse yourself in inspiration and self-expression! (PS: I must correct my earlier statement; this book is quite substantial! :D)