First off, let us set a context and strip off creativity of all the misconceptions it has been implicated with. To know what creativity means let us take into account what the experts have to say about it. 

Robert E. Franken, a professor of Social Ethics at the Candler School of Theology, according to, Creativity is the ability to conceive ideas, possibilities, and alternatives that are useful in solving problems. 

Linda Laiman on an erudite view of creativity states it as, the ability to generate novel insights, keen enough to perceive the underlying patterns that govern a certain behavior or function, being able to connect two unrelated phenomena, and being able to generate solutions to a problem. She further emphasizes that creativity is not limited to thinking but to executing your thoughts and bringing your ideas to fruition. To her, when you are limited to thinking, you are not creative, but rather imaginative.

Rollo May stated that creativity is the tendency to introduce new ideas into being, and that to harness it one must ground themselves in the boundaries of commitment, passion, and discipline. She also implies that possessing creativity is being able to see the world in new ways, sort of like a conscious awakening, she sees it as heightened consciousness or ecstasy.

From what those experts have to say, the trait creativity is associated with the ability to think, perceive and conceive novel thoughts and execute those revelations on the grounds of reality.

By the sound of it, creativity is truly praiseworthy, and the individuals who are characterized with it are without a doubt teeming with great potential.

Or is it? 

Before you go and pursue your creative pursuits whether that would be learning to play an instrument, getting indulged in the realm of arts, or becoming the new Shakespeare or Leonardo Da Vinci, there are things you might want to bear in mind before you go and curse yourself with creativity.

Not Everyone is Creative as they believe themselves to be 

Let's start off spoiling everyone with this blunt but honest truth. Let us come to terms with this seemingly offensive revelation, if creativity were to be distributed to everyone, then it loses all of its meaning. The fact that creativity came to be known because it is distinguished from person to person. 

Gordon Torr, author of Managing Creative People: Lessons for Leadership in the Ideas Economy, states that creative individuals are different from other individuals, not because they possess a disposition that brands them creative but in a sense that pertains to their vital core, their perspective, and outlook towards life. He further emphasizes, "Believing that everyone can be just as creative as the next person is as ludicrous as believing that everyone can be just as intelligent as the next person, yet it has become almost universally accepted as a truism." 

What makes creative individuals different?

Roger Beaty, a Postdoctoral Fellow in Cognitive Neuroscience, at Harvard University conducted research regarding how creative individuals’ minds are structured. Their finding state that three (3) parts of the brain are linked with highly creative networks, these are; the default network, executive control network, and salience network. 

The default network is the brain region that is activated when an individual is engaged in spontaneous thinking such as; daydreaming, imagining, and mind-wandering. This region is also responsible for generating ideas, brainstorming, and problem-solving. 

The executive control network is the region in the brain that is responsible for focusing and controlling the thought process. It plays a crucial role in evaluating an idea and assessing whether it would work.

The salience network is the region in the brain that acts as a switch between the executive control network, and the default network. Its role is to alternate between a state of generating ideas and evaluating their soundness.

Also, it is further stated that these regions are not activated simultaneously, meaning that if either of the regions is activated the rest are not. Their findings suggest that creative individuals are better at co-activating these brain regions that usually work separately, and their minds are structured, or wired differently. 

This portrayal of creative individuals as regarded and beheld as unique is the source of their struggle. As indicated by Beaty’s findings that they are wired differently, and Torr’s further emphasis that they are different in terms of their perception and outlook on life, this seemingly unique characterization has an isolating effect on creative individuals.

Studies indicate that creativity and loneliness are linked

A study titled "The default network of the human brain is associated with perceived social isolation", asserts that being lonely exhibits more brain activity in the default network the region in the brain we've talked about that is responsible for imagination, mind-wandering, and brainstorming. This high brain activity in the default network is the brain's attempt to compensate for the social void. The default network is one of the three (3) regions in the brain that is founded to be one of the active components in reinforcing creative thinking.

With this, creative individuals due to the isolation they get for possessing a unique outlook towards life compensate for their loneliness by conjuring up creative thoughts to alleviate loneliness and entertain themselves with novel possibilities.

Ironic to think about how the very thing that gives creatives their edge can be their very bane. Their uniqueness is like a sword if one is not skilled enough to wield it then it can end up hurting them. A fire if not tamed can burn a settlement, but if one can harness it, one can use it to build a civilization.

So, how far can a creative individual's uniqueness become a thorn in their side? How can a creative's distinguishing trait become a burden?

1. Loneliness 

With a brain that is complicatedly wired, and a mind operating at a different frequency, creatives tend to see the world from a different angle. Also, as they are inclined to unearth novel thoughts and ideas they tend to stray far from the conventional path and end up taking on a solitary undertaking towards intellectual novelty and self-actualization.

Also, naturally being a non-conformist further isolates them from the rest as they employ unconventional strategies to achieve a desired outcome. Others often shun creativity for staying ahead of their time through envy or due to the absence of any capacity to comprehend their revolutionary methodologies in solving a problem.

Copernicus is shunned for proposing a Heliocentric model of our universe, and branded as a blasphemer by the church.

Nikola Tesla, a brilliant engineer and inventor who revolutionized the use of AC was met with opposition that AC motors are impossible for practical applications and AC is hazardous and lethal.

Vincent Van Gogh, one of the artists who led the post-impressionism movement was criticized for the employment of his unconventional brush strokes which was deemed scandalous during his time. 

2. Misunderstood 

People often project a misconception about the image of creatives. In their heads, creatives are these individuals who can play the instrument well and can craft captivating pieces of art. They think of creatives as one who’s only inclined in the realm of arts while this notion is true for creatives their abilities and disposition extend far more than in the realm of arts.

There’s clear line between creatives and performers, creatives can innovate, and devise new ways to express themselves while performers only reenact what was done, or enact a creatives idea. Much of what the world has been wrought is made possible due to the creatives’ tendency to follow their curiosity and to deviate from the conventional path. Their willingness to embark on an uncharted path has paved the way for the world to engage in varied forms of discipline, and innovation.

An assertion from Phil Edwards’ article in the Vox is, Light bulbs, bicycles, nail polish, cheeseburgers, umbrellas, and laptops are products and inventions that made their way into our very households but we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the luxury they offer if the creatives who invented them were swayed by the people who think conventionally.

3. Exploitation 

Some recognize creatives and the sheer potential that they possess and regard them only to be a means to an end. These exploiters value creatives because they fuel their selfish devices and continually pump cash to feed their greed. This trickery has been lurking in the shadows and has cast a snare on creatives seeking to fulfill their creative pursuits.

This phenomenon isn’t something new to behold it has transpired even to the notable creatives. The story of Prince highlights opportunists taking advantage of a creative.

The notable strife between him and Warner Bros battling for agency over his works showcases that even recognized creatives can still be ensnared by greed-driven juggernauts.

Taylor Swift, too, lost ownership of her tracks due to the record deal she signed when she was 14. She further states that she has been bullied by, Shaun reinforcing manipulative tactics to dismantle her work.

4. Self-Doubt

Possessing a natural heightened sense of awareness creatives often find themselves paralyzed with self-doubt. Normally that is, because having a keen sense of awareness allows creatives to see their inadequacy.

Psychology professor, Adam Grant in his TED talk states from his research that creative people especially those we deem to be outwardly confident are grappling with thoughts of self-doubt. But, rather than being paralyzed by the sway of their insufficiencies, they leverage this awareness to further refine themselves. 

Even renowned artists, authors, and leaders are suffering apprehension as much as any creatives. Rose Leadem, a writer in Entrepreneur wrote in her article that the creatives who contributed to much of the world such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and of course, Vincent Van Gogh suffered from imposter syndrome.

5. Rejection 

As if the internal conflict creatives suffer from wasn't weigh them down, they also have to deal with external nuances that inflict them with further doubts. But there is a far more heart-wrenching truth people don't want to hear, especially for creatives, although they suspected it all along. People just don't like creatives.

A study from the University of Pennsylvania shows that the people professing they want creatives, but when introduced to creative ideas they display an aversion towards it.A study titled, "Creativity: Asset or Burden in the Classroom?" shows that students exhibiting authentic creativity were unappealing before the teachers. Teachers were asked to rate their favorite students, study shows that favorite students exhibit less creative traits and less favorite students displayed more creative traits. The study also shows that teachers have their teacher-generated creativity prototype that acts as a criterion for judging creativity.

A researcher at the University of California, Barry Staw who specializes in creativity asserts that creative figures are celebrated and are venerated as heroes but what the people celebrate in truth are its after-effects. Only when people come to see what they, see, only when people come to understand the thought they bore in mind are these creatives hailed as heroes. Before any of the glory, they are greatly persecuted.

6. Monetization 

No doubt creatives are exceptional at introducing novel innovations that could be a catalyst for change. But as we've talked before, when these creatives introduce their products, they were met with hostility, smitten with ridicule, discouraged, and shunned by the society they sought to inspire. Also, it could be that creatives have a prototype for a revolutionary product but lack the financial means to bring it to fruition. 

Jordan Peterson, a prominent clinical psychologist states that creativity isn't something you want to curse yourself with. It might profitable venture but the associated high return is proportional to the risk it poses.

He further states that if you introduce something new to society, no one knows what it is, and people when they don't understand something often ridicule it, and it may take some time to convince people and endure all the rejections.

7. Deviance

Naturally, creative individuals are non-conformists, they don't follow the conventions they view the conventional structure of society as something that inhibits their potential from being realized.

Creatives are the embodiment of fluid, when a fluid is introduced into a container, it continuously grows until the container could contain it no more, attempts to contain this ever-growing power will result in ruin and destruction. Also, like fluid, creative individuals are adaptable, like water flowing when it encounters an obstacle it changes its direction to continuously flow onwards.

A journal article by, Joseph E. Harrington, Jr. titled "Rigidity of Social Systems" states that the social system is being modeled in a hierarchical structure, and for one to be able to scale up is to imitate those above, which is the exact opposite of creatives for they revel in their uniqueness.They further assert that volatile environments cause people to be resistant to change. With this, we can see that people are resistant to change.

Chris Pennigton, in his article titled "We Are Hiredwired to Resist Change', states that part of the brain we know as the amygdala interprets change as a threat and releases hormones for fear, fight, or flight. But creatives operate in the highly creative network of the brain that makes them prone to imagining possibilities which usually takes them out of the box.

8. Burnout

Creatives as passionate as they can often neglect their well-being due to the excitement of bringing their ideas to life. Though deemed to be enormous powerhouses and agents of change, they have their limits as much as everyone else. Burnout is the notion where a person runs out of fuel, or some may term it, "creative juice" to keep their passion burning.

Many factors contribute to creatives getting burned out. Since fewer people know what Creatives are up to it gets frustrating to not receive any external assurance. Often than not, they receive quite the opposite, ridiculed, scorned, and contempt for their authenticity. This lack of understanding and appreciation only adds to the weight they carry.

Do you still wish to become creative?

Knowing the strenuous and enduring path an authentic Creative must tread, it can be undeniably and dreadfully challenging when the odds are stacked up in against their favor. But, like how diamonds are formed, it has to be subjected to a context that is seemingly impossible to withstand only to emerge as something entirely astonishing, harder, resilient, and enduring than before.

It is the pain, and hardships that define our strengths, the absence of such, will not result in any of our venerated figures of creative individuals who shaped our world. As Frederick Nietzsche said, "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger". Savor and revel in the trying moments for it is an opportunity to exercise our power, and develop our resilience far more than ever.

Here is the twist

Everyone is not creative but they can certainly become one. Michael Michalko, Author of Creative Thinkering states that, "People who believe they are not creative have a set of beliefs that gives them the excuse not to even try to be creative. So people who say they are not creative are people who have seldom if ever, tried to be creative ".

From Michalko's statement, the very thing it takes to become creative is to believe you are one and to act like one. And, through that belief, we seek to express ourselves to become aligned with it. And it is the belief that set Creatives apart from anyone.

Creatives are not restrained or bounded by the notion of impossibility, their minds are inclined towards possibilities, imagination, and how best to bring those visions into reality. As Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge because knowledge is limited but imagination encircles the world".

I want to end this post with a quote from A Monster Calls that woke something in me, "Your belief is valuable, so you must be careful where you put it and in whom'.

Death Humbles Us

Truly, history has presented us an array of great men, Genghis Khan, and Alexander the Great, two great conquerors in the East and West, their extraordinary exploits, and deeds are narrated even to this day. Alexander the Great conquered 2,180,000 square miles during his lifetime, which was staggering considering how young this mighty conquer was able to accomplish such a feat at such an age. Unfortunately, despite his greatness, and prowess in his conquest, his life was cut short. Genghis Khan, recognized to be the greatest conqueror in history, conquered 4,860,000 square miles of land which doubled the area of land which Alexander the Great has. [1] These figures and icons undoubtedly soared at the heights of greatness, they were relentless in their conquest, and they had everything at their disposal to attain whatever their heart desired. These legendary conquerors were faring well in their conquest, though they may be invincible in battle, they couldn't conquer their mortality. Even great men of renown can't escape this fate despite the power and influence they possess. With this realization, the reality of our mortality prompts us to accept the nature of our impermanence. This realization isn't meant to evoke fear in us, but rather, a lesson where we can derive valuable insight, and temper us with caution as we traverse through life. The inability to come to terms with our mortality can lead us to resort to our hubris, in doing so we become a victim of our delusions, leading us to chase after fleeting pleasures, like a moth drawn to the flame. We find ourselves trapped in a loop of momentary gratification, constantly seeking pleasure after pleasure, only to be left empty and unfulfilled. This futile pursuit consumes us, draining us of our vitality and leaving us exhausted. Emperors in ancient times exhibited their defiance towards mortality by employing alchemists to concoct fabled objects to grant them immortality. In China, the Emperors of the Tang Dynasty long to maintain their reign, and so death is a bane that impedes them from bringing their desires to fruition. Ironically, in their attempts, to liberate themselves from the boundaries of mortality ended up being apprehended by it. Fickle mercury and fiery sulfur: these were the ingredients of immortality, according to the Chinese alchemists of the Tang dynasty. They are also deadly poisons. At least six Tang emperors died after consuming elixirs meant to grant them eternal life. [2] In modern times, humanity is at work in exhibiting defiance towards mortality by employing cryogenics where a body is subjected to low temperatures freezing the body and ceasing the process of decay. However, like all who dared to defy death was met with failure. What was supposedly a groundbreaking study ended up breaking the frozen bodies of patients. The first "cryonauts" met gruesome fates. A few of them decomposed into a "plug of fluids" and were scraped off the bottom of a capsule. Even scientists contemplated these attempts; "Is any of this scientific, or is it just wishful thinking?". The bodies were evaluated and deemed to be beyond repair and revival. [3] With this, in their attempts to put a halt to our mortality, they clung to fantasies and delusions about immortality which only led them to the very thing they avoided the most. The inability to accept the reality of our mortality results in us chasing after fruitless pursuits. Thus, by this, it is imperative to come to terms with our truth. By accepting this, we establish this assurance with ourselves. Though, the concept of death imposes our fragility, and vulnerability, acceptance of our transient nature imbues us with a humility that guides our actions to invest our time, efforts, and moments in pursuits that count.

Our Time is Running

As we contemplate our mortality, we can't help but realize that in each instance the clock ticks and every flick of seconds in our digital watches is a moment spent. Although time is not grounded by the movement of small mechanical and electronic devices we wear on our wrists, time as a concept of change is real. Time is linear, it doesn't revert its direction to where it came from. Either we march along with the advent of time or get stumped by it. Time unlike money is not something you can multiply, but you can utilize it to afford more moments. To further convey this idea into something more vivid, let us hold unto the concept of time is a line that goes ever forward. Now in this line, you can either condense your actions to leave a space for future activities which translates to more potential, or you can leave gaps within this line, losing your potential prospects in the future. The more we dedicate ourselves to filling the gaps with activities that count, the magnitude of our potential also grows. In other words, the intensity of our actions is directly proportional to the magnitude of potential. Bearing this awareness of the finite nature of our time as transient beings guide us in committing our action toward purposeful activities that add and fill our lives with meaning. Also, by not leaving any gaps in the march of time, you are leaving no room for regrets. For it is in those gaps where regret will dwell and linger in our minds to cause us great pain, and anguish. Also, we can utilize our regrets, by learning from them, we are avoiding the same occurrence from happening. You see, nothing is useless when you put them to good use. But, this doesn't mean having more regrets translates to more resources. No, it doesn't, regrets simply are a means to avoid facing failure once more. Also, when we waste our time, not only are we losing it, we lose many things. According to Jordan Peterson, a famous clinical psychologist, he stated that an hour is estimated to be $50. So, say if you waste 4 - 6 hours a day, you are wasting $1400 to $2100, a week, total that in a year you waste $73000 to $109500. He also stretches that if we were committed to doing the things we should, the magnitude of our progress within 10 years would be enormous. By this insight, we get to see a glimpse of what we could become if we stay true to committing ourselves, and overall live a life filled with meaning. Now, let this awareness of our impermanence sink in with our entirety. Know that we are mortal, and remember that we will not last long. With this, let us seize the day. Treat each day as if it were our last. Carpe Diem!

We Could Die or Live

As we fade from existence we are not obliterated, we remain in a sense, our memories, and our legacies are an extension of ourselves that is somehow keeping us alive. We are immortalized by the things we have established during our lifetime. Also, our legacies are a monument for everyone to see, it can either fade towards obscurity over time, it could also be associated with infamy, and stained by resentment, or it could radiate with inspiration, a symbol that is celebrated, and praised. Ultimately, leaving a legacy is one that erects a reminder for the future to come. It could be that our legacy is a reminder that the actions we have done in our life are something that should be avoided to prevent the same unfortunate occurrences from taking place, or it could be something that is followed and practiced throughout to ensure the continuity of the good that we've done. Also, legacies ensure the progress of future generations, as it sets the stage for them to continue whatever it is that you've been working on. Now, it is really up to us which kind of legacy we want to leave, it could be glorified, one that is resented, or one that is forgotten. Either way, it can be determined by what we do now. We can have a glimpse of the future, by the things we do today, and by this, we can judge for ourselves the kind of legacy we are going to leave behind. Know this, we have the power to shape our destiny. One of Bill Gates' quotes said, "If you are born poor, that's not your fault, if you die poor, that is your fault". In his quote, he emphasizes our ability to stir the direction of our lives to lead it into a path that is ripe with goodness, and abundance. Our ability to channel our will into action has the effect of influencing the direction of humanity's future as stated in the butterfly effect, but do not misunderstand the concept butterfly effect where small things can end up being massive. No, what it entails, one small thing could be a catalyst for something great, it could remain as it is. [5] But, still, the concept of the butterfly effect remains true. Though we are not certain that our minimal action could amount to something great, what we are certain is that with every action we commit to our vision, it grows in magnitude, when we remain consistent in our endeavors, then we are establishing mastery at what we do, and in attaining mastery we become competent.

How the Concept of Death Reinforces my Autodidactic Journey

I, as one who pursues the path of self-education, the concept of my mortality guides my actions to savor every moment I do as something that is attributed to fill the gap, and condense time with my actions. Also, as Confucious said, "You only live once", and what else is better than to live a life conquering what everyone deems impossible. It's a thought worth delighting whenever the time comes, for the delight of the weak, and old is honor, Aristotle said. What else is better to think when the time comes than to feel fulfilled as you face the impossible, and prevailed over it. This path of autodidacticism undoubtedly is daunting, and almost impossible. I only live once, and I want to live knowing what I can do and what I can conquer with it. Yes, great men die, no one can escape this fate, but else is better than to die fulfilled. Steve Jobs' last words when he died were, "Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow". It's hard to know what he meant when he said those words, but if I were to think of it, it would be because he contemplated the things, he have done, and he conquered the impossible despite the odds he faced in life. In other words, he died fulfilled.

Wherever there is light, there are also shadows, as Mashashi Kishimoto quotes.

In this promising path of self-study, the same dichotomy also exists, the array of challenges that present before us in our undertaking towards this path of self-education comes in diverse ways, some even are perceived as harmless practices yet when they are left unaddressed they can disrupt our progress towards self-study.

So what are these constraints towards actualizing ourselves in this endeavor?

Beginning with, let us take into account someone else's perspective regarding what impedes us from pledging ourselves in committing to this path.

Taking into consideration Natassha Selvaraj's insightful article from The Medium, entitled "Why is Self-Learning So Difficult", she states that the problem with self-learning is the lack of external stimuli that reinforces you to accomplish your task at hand, such as deadlines, learning structure or curriculum, and accountability.

Self-directed learning is a personally paced learning rhythm, there are no external stimuli in which you can derive your sense of drive. With this, we have identified that our tendency to be complacent, a seemingly harmless practice can impact our pursuit of self-study.

But there's more to it than that, we are just scratching the surface. So, what are these varied forms of constraints we can encounter as we embark on the journey of self-education? Well, let us unravel what lurks in the path of self-education.

1. Lack of Vision

The lack of vision is undoubtedly the cornerstone of impeding an individual from actualizing themselves into committing to the path of self-education. To be devoid of vision is to be without direction. In this solitary path of self-directed education, not having a vision is akin to being blind, which further complicates your journey in this path riddled with uncertainty.

Since the path of self-directed learning is absent of any external stimuli, it is then imperative to conjure up a vision of what you aim to become. It is that projection of your ideal self that will usher you in this path of uncertainty.

By projecting an idealization of yourself, you are setting an expectation and from that you can draw enthusiasm, and inspiration, fueling you on your pursuits in self-directed learning. Also, you are having this clear definition of what you want to become which guides your actions into the actualization of your ideal self.

2. Rushing Things Out

At this point, now that we've conjured up a vision, and projected an idealization of what we want to become, always remember that this path of self-directed learning is a path filled with mists of uncertainty. Having a vision doesn't mean that we should rush things in actualizing our goals, to do would be to run straight into a direction that leads to pitfalls.

Caution and Patience are of utmost importance in navigating this less-trodden path.

When we rush things, it is akin to an object subjected to friction, it undergoes wear and tear. The same thing also happens with us, when we choose to be directed by our impatient tendencies, we will be worn out of ardor, and zeal, and with that won't be able to endure.

To counter our rash tendencies, we must set realistic expectations in our endeavor toward self-directed learning. When conjuring up our vision we must be true to ourselves, meaning that in our current state of being, the values, and practices we are exhibiting must resonate with our idealized version of self. Our values must be aligned with what we are aiming to become.

In my case, I am aiming to become a full-stack web developer and writer. By building this blog, I can hone both my programming and writing prowess. Also, in the process of me trying to bring this vision to fruition, I evaluated myself, and my abilities.

From that evaluation, I already possess the knowledge in programming which I got from my autodidactic pursuits during the pandemic, plus I cultivated this habit of journaling when I was 14 years old which imbues me with an introspective awareness of myself, which also affords me clarity of thought.

The challenge I encountered when I was learning programming was the overwhelming amount of information available on the web. I almost fell into the trap of watching from tutorial to tutorial. Then, I decided to take one step at a time. I tempered my eagerness with patience, and from that I was able to see things from a clear point of view. When you don't rush things, you are much keener to pick up on insights that come along your journey, and these insights give much more definition to your vision, which makes it more tangible and draws your reach closer to your goals by setting up realistic expectations.

3. Unappreciative of Your Achievements

At this point, we are setting realistic expectations, and are now making progress. But, in all that we've done so far, there's this looming feeling of inadequacy and dissatisfaction. These factors if left unaddressed can rob you of your passion, and zeal.

Being unappreciative of your progress can leave you feeling unfulfilled in your pursuits and thus dishearten you in pursuing this path of self-education.

In this path, we must come to terms with the fact that there's no one we can lean on but ourselves, we are our certainty.

Appreciating your progress no matter how insignificant it may appear, you are building self-assurance and by doing this we are mustering our confidence and by doing so grant us the courage to take on strides of challenges that we will encounter in this path.

Also, in appreciating what you've learned you're creating this impression, you're establishing this link between your emotion and the information you've unearthed which further solidifies your understanding of the knowledge you've attained.

Any event that is associated with our emotions leaves a lasting impression on us, and by appreciating our progress, we are associating our journey with the pleasure and delight of learning.

When I was learning programming, I am well aware that my accomplishments pale in comparison to its real applications. Nonetheless, I condensed my attention into myself, and focus on what I can accomplish in my attempts of learning this discipline. By appreciating the small things I've accomplished, I was building my confidence, and as I feel confident in solving the small problems, I set myself out to try something more daring than the previous one. Don't hesitate to take smaller steps. And, temper your eagerness with patience.

4. Feeling of Adequacy. Plateauing.

Now that we've learned to appreciate our progress, and develop this sense of confidence in ourselves, by this point, we've accomplished some daring tasks and can't help but feel this sense of pride. Now, this phase is quite tricky, if we allow our feeling of adequacy to permeate our entirety, then we are in for some serious trouble.

It's important to establish a boundary between a healthy awareness of one's self where you acknowledge your limitations, and this delusional sense of self where you impair yourself of the ability to recognize what you lack and focused only on what you can do, and not on what you can't do.

To stride further on this path of self-education, it is imperative to acknowledge both the things you can do, and things you can't do.

Having this awareness of what you can do allows you to accomplish things that are within your reach, and also by taking into account the things you cannot do, it provides you with an avenue where you can employ the knowledge, and skills you've accumulated throughout your autodidactic journey and utilize those learnings to expand your areas of interest, and competence.

It is the awareness of your inadequacy that grants you the possibility of growth and development. To deny your limitations is to sever the chances of improvement, and thus results in stagnation and worse, regression.

By this, embarking on new challenges, such as applying what you've learned, and building projects, you immerse yourself in the field in which you are endeavoring, and thus by this, reap valuable knowledge, and insights that will grant more definition to your goals, spurs for further growth and development to your being.

In my journey as I was learning guitar and programming, I would project this idealized version of myself, and compare myself to that ideal concerning the progress I've made and the things I lack in becoming so. Also, I would reinforce myself with a thought that in this certain duration of time, urging myself in making progress to draw myself closer to my ideal self.

With this practice, I compensated for the absence of external stimuli, and rather utilized internal stimuli to derive a sense of motivation in bringing my vision into reality. From what was mentioned earlier, we must project an idealization of ourselves for it will usher us in our strides in this path of self-illumination.

5. The Lack of Structured Learning Path

By now, we have maintained a delicate balance between acknowledging our limitations and our capabilities. We now have configured our internal drive to take on strides of challenges. What remains now is to head to our destination, and find fulfillment in our autodidactic journey. But where to go? The path ahead is darkened by obscurity and shrouded with uncertainty.

The vast realm of self-directed learning is uncharted, devoid of any signpost, and even footprints left by those who went before us are obscured which complicates the prospect to channel our energy and focus.

In the absence of a structured framework, no clearly defined path leads to self-actualization. It then falls to us to forge our path in navigating this labyrinth of uncertainty.

But in all these disheartening implications towards the path of self-directed learning, it is this very notion in which we can channel our creativity and intellectual disposition. In this path of self-directed learning, you are not bound by the limits of a structured learning path, you have the right to indulge in creative exploration and innovative thoughts in this path of autonomy. And it is on this path that you can cultivate your uniqueness and be whatever you desire to be. This is the path of self-directed learning that is ripe with potential for ours to take.

My experience in compensating for the absence of a structured learning path is that I initially identified those four prior constraints. By dealing inwardly, I strengthened my resolve and conditioned my mind frame to overcome arduous endeavors. As Zeno of Citium the founder of Stoicism quotes, "Man conquers the world by conquering himself". Also, Aristotle said something similar about the significance of dealing with one's inward self, "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self". By mastering ourselves we allow thoughts, and our willpower to flow without resistance, and thus grant us the ability to influence the world around us to an extent.

Also, after I conditioned myself, I developed a routine. According to Jordan Peterson, routine is not a prison, it's a means to achieve the day you want. So, by setting out a routine, you are seizing the day, also as you align yourself and your actions on that routine you are rendering the day according to your desired outcome. Also by setting out a routine you are maximizing your productivity, and thus by staying consistent you increase your likelihood of finding success in this self-directed path.

The key to being free from the constraints of self-education is to remain consistent, and unwavering in your commitment to the pursuit of knowledge on this less-trodden path.