12 Themes That Reveal What Create Me Free is All About: An Experiment

Are the subtitles of my newsletter posts relevant to the topics I am trying to build an archive around? It seems the answer is yes ...

AI can be a fun tool to play with for certain things. Sometimes I use it to help me better understand a passage that I’m struggling to read through, asking for a simplified version, which helps a lot when I’m having health-related brain fog. Sometimes I use it to come up with a synonym when my mind just can’t get there quick enough. Sometimes I use it just to experiment with random things.

For example, I downloaded the CSV for all of my Substack posts. Then I took the column with my subtitles and fed all of the post’s subtitles into ChatGPT. And then I said, “these are all on the same website; tell me the themes that you see emerging.” And here’s what it came up with, which tells me that, yes, my subtitles very accurately express what I’m trying to do here on Create Me Free.

(Funnily, it calls them excerpts when they were just subtitles, but nonetheless …)

Creativity and Mental Health

There's a recurring exploration of how creativity intersects with mental health, whether it's through art therapy, writing, crafting, or other forms of creative expression. The relationship between creativity and wellness, as well as the therapeutic benefits of artistic endeavors, is a prominent theme.

Self-Care and Wellness

The importance of self-care and maintaining balance is emphasized, with discussions on the need for rest, mindfulness, and nurturing mental and emotional well-being. There's an acknowledgment that pushing too hard without allowing time for recovery can be detrimental.

Process vs. Product

Several passages delve into the process of creativity rather than solely focusing on the end product. The emphasis is on the journey of creation, the flow state, and the intrinsic joy found in the act of making.

Personal Reflection and Growth

Many excerpts share personal anecdotes and reflections on the creative journey, including struggles with self-judgment, imposter syndrome, and finding one's voice. There's a theme of self-discovery and growth through creative expression.

Community and Connection

The importance of community and connection within creative spaces is highlighted, whether it's through collaboration, sharing work, or engaging in conversations with like-minded individuals. There's a sense of belonging and support within these creative communities.

Advocacy and Awareness

Some excerpts touch on broader social issues, such as human trafficking, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health advocacy. There's a call to action to raise awareness and make a difference through creative endeavors.

Holistic Healing

The idea of using art and creativity as a form of holistic healing is prevalent. It's not just about addressing mental health issues but also about nurturing overall well-being through artistic expression.

Narratives of Resilience

Many excerpts share stories of resilience in the face of adversity, whether it's overcoming personal struggles, coping with mental health challenges, or navigating difficult life circumstances. There's a sense of empowerment and strength in using creativity as a tool for resilience.

Intersectionality

Some passages touch on the intersectionality of mental health and creativity with other aspects of identity, such as gender, sexuality, race, and socioeconomic status. There's an acknowledgment of how these intersecting factors influence one's experiences and creative expression.

Education and Advocacy

Several excerpts discuss the role of education and advocacy in promoting awareness and understanding of mental health issues within creative communities. There's an emphasis on destigmatizing mental illness and fostering a supportive environment for individuals to express themselves creatively.

Exploration of Mediums

There's a diversity of creative mediums explored, from traditional arts like painting and writing to more unconventional forms like crochet, knitting, basket weaving, and performance art. The exploration of different mediums reflects the varied ways in which individuals engage in creative expression.

Reflections on Process

Throughout the excerpts, there are reflections on the creative process itself—its challenges, rewards, and the transformative power of engaging in creative activities. There's an appreciation for the journey of creation and the insights gained along the way.

I also entered the same text into several Word Cloud Generators, and they came up with the images that you see here.

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When you invest in Create Me Free, you invest in a value system, a community, the creation of a library of online resources about the complex relationship between art and mental health. This supports a societal shift away from a productivity-driven consumer market where your money buys x product that you can use for y amount of time on your own towards a model that supports holistic wellness, deep creative process, and meaningful social contributions.

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