As I age, I find that being creative is much more spontaneous.

When I look back on my younger days, with all of the to-dos and structures placed before me, I remember how daunting life was. There was always someone directing, evaluating, and labeling me. I often didn’t feel seen as myself but conveniently placed into a category.

Later, I learned that I was being conditioned and socialized to be outward-directed, to follow directions from others.

I understand. An institution’s role is to stabilize, organize, and provide a variety of labor levels for its economic structure.

However, my goal was to place my efforts into the person I wanted to be.

It has taken years to “undo” this mindset, which was forced upon me in my youth. At seventy-five, I think I can safely say that I have erased their influence and wish them good riddance.