Breaking Free from Copycat Creativity

For a long time, I was stuck in a loop—watching other creators, being inspired by their style, and thinking that mimicking what I saw was the secret to success. For a long time I believed that if I could just mimic their “tried and true” formulas, I’d finally hit my creative stride. But instead of feeling inspired, I ended up feeling empty and disconnected in my creative process. It felt like I was existing in someone else’s story, saying their lines and following their actions while not knowing why I was even there.

I did not learn this lesson quickly. It's taken me years to figure out that every time I tried to recreate another creator’s creativity, I was smothering my own. It was as if I was constantly borrowing someone else’s clothes, and that only fueled my self-doubt. Instead of exploring the ideas that truly resonated with me, I was caught up chasing a version of success that I actually did not want.

The realization didn't suddenly appear, like a moment of epiphany in the movies. It slowly came into focus as I was deep in a creative spiral. Like Indiana Jones slowly, methodically figuring out a puzzle. The thought became more clear as I kept doing the work I hated. Authenticity can’t be copied and pasted—it has to be discovered within. Like Dr Jones pursuing his lost relic, I too must embrace the journey and go outside of my comfort zones. In order to stop mimicking others I must actually use my own voice.

This would require that I decide to make a change, and break the cycle I had created. I would have to choose to trust my own voice, even if it meant taking risks and I would have to accept my mistakes along the way. I took a leap into the unknown, daring to let my true ideas breathe without the filter of comparison and perfectionism. Embracing my quirks and imperfections has reignited my creative fire and reminded me that there’s beauty in being raw and real and flawed.

Now, letting go of the copycat mindset feels nothing short of liberating. By shedding the need to conform to external standards, I’ve opened up a space where my work genuinely reflects who I am. The shift from constant comparison to honest self-expression has been challenging, but every step towards embracing my true self feels like a win—both creatively and personally.

-Myles