An antidote to thieves and copycats

I was chatting with a friend who was heartbroken. Someone she had trusted and collaborated with was claiming credit for ideas she had come up with when they worked together. After a healthy amount of venting, righteous anger, logical strategizing, and encouragement, I heard myself say:

“you’ve just gotta keep making good shit”

It’s possible to drown in 1 inch of water, By Annalee Kornelsen

It became a rallying cry for us. And it’s advice I keep giving myself years later. Here’s what it means.

When faced with the envy of others, when people try and take advantage, when dismissed or undervalued, copied, or aggressed, yes we defend ourselves (hit them with that cease and desist. Call them out) but there is no medicine quite like exercising your agency through creative expression. In other words. Just keep making good shit. Not for them, but in spite of them. (and far away from them if necessary).

If people are copying you, it’s sad for them because it means they aren’t in touch with their own creative source. But you are. But as long as you keep making good shit and weed out the relationships that aren’t reciprocal, you’ll always have that access. They’re showing you that the best thing about them is you, and that will be sad for them when you’re off making good shit without them.

Letting the energy of my creative urges lift me out of petty squabbling and politics is one of the best remedies I know. It unplugs me from that powerless feeling and allows me to feel my wing span, and see possibility.

I come back to this during all sorts of conflicts. And it brings me peace. Trouble in my relationship with my partner often feels less dire when I take the space to work on my own creative projects. I remember I’m a person with choice and power with something to contribute. I’m able to see hope, possibility and solutions beyond the scope of the problem I’ve been toiling with. Things that seem out of my power feel less overwhelmingly oppressive.

Making more good shit frees me from waiting to be empowered by someone else or trying to convince them to “see my power and pretty please give it to me?” It’s about using all the power I have to create beauty and goodness, regardless of what’s going on over there.

I want that for you too. May you go forth and make good shit.