Consumption and Creation

After my exit from a tech company last spring, I kicked off an 18-month sabbatical to explore the country and world while laying the groundwork for a new business. I embarked on a journey with my girlfriend turned fiancé, Courtney, throughout The States, Europe, and Asia. We’re currently in Laos and have been on the road for about a year.

Throughout this journey I’ve had the opportunity to explore some incredible places, meet some amazing people, and engage in activities delighting all five of the senses. I’ve also had more time to read and listen to content than ever before.

I recently realized though that while all of these experiences are contributing to my growth, most are simply various forms of consumption.

Nearly all of our discretionary time can be lumped into the buckets of either consumption or creation. We are reading or we are writing. We are eating or we are cooking. We are listening or we are playing. We are watching a game or we are starting a league. We are experiencing that which has been crafted by others, or we are crafting experiences for others, ourselves.

Neither creation nor consumption are inherent good or bad. There are clearly beneficial things to consumer and harmful things to create. Moreover, one cannot give without having already taken.

I’ve come to believe though that a meaningful life is one in which we create more than we consume. Consumption is so readily available today. All of the world’s content is in our pocket. Delicious meals can be purchased inexpensively around every street corner. Practically any item can be delivered to your doorstep in two days.

While consumption is certainly the easy choice and is often even the ‘sensible’ choice, we must not lose sight of the meaning that creation can bring to our lives.

I’ve decided to begin this blog as a step toward realigning my consumption/creation mix.

What does the creation/consumption mix currently look like for you?

What changes might you be able to make to begin creating a bit more and consuming a bit less?

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