How do things become conventional?

Conventional means something done that is based on a general belief.

At one point, that thing was unconventional, and then the pure number of people who did it was enough to tip the scale.

Like tattoos. They were once unconventional to a very large subset of the population, but over the years, they have become more normal and seem to have become borderline conventional. It is no longer a jaw dropping moment to hear that someone has one.

What does that mean for art? Should we be seeking unconventional art? What happens when what we are doing becomes conventional? Does that make it any less valuable or impactful?

Releasing the consumer-driven sides of us means that there is a release of finding fulfillment in things that others (companies and individuals) create.

Releasing the consumer side of us means releasing our identity in the things that we buy.

Where do we find fulfillment then? What part of our identity is amplified when we release the impulse to consume.

What identity remains with us then?

The opposite of the consumer is the creator.

Mothers, creating life, are inherently creators.

The creators in us amplify ourselves.

But as creators, aren’t we reliant on consumers?

In a capitalistic economy, yes, if we want to make money from our creations.

But what if we create with non-attachment to other’s reaction to our creation? What if we create and nurture the creation, put it on in the world and allow the world to embrace it?

What if only we know how to create the things we create? What if only I was meant to mother this specific piece of writing to the world?

What if the opposite of senseless consumption is mindful creation? Through mindful creation, we can foster more mindful consumption.