The trap that stole my ex-favorite hobby 🥷🏻

In 2015, I planned a solo trip to Iceland with one goal: see the northern lights.

At the time, I was deep in my social media era…posting everything! I had no private life 😆

During my research, I found out my phone couldn’t capture the aurora borealis. And of course, I couldn’t NOT share this once-in-a-lifetime moment.

So, I bought a camera.

And that decision kicked off a photography journey that changed me.

Here’s the photo I took 10 years ago:

The Power of Hobbies

Up until then, I believed I wasn’t a creative person.

I was good at math. I worked in engineering roles. I sucked at painting.

That was the story I told myself.

But photography cracked something open. It showed me that creativity isn’t just about painting or poetry. It comes in many forms.

Since then, I’ve started noticing creativity in all kinds of places: writing, coding, improv, even how I organize my closet.

Photography didn’t just give me pictures. It gave me proof that my brain had always been creative.

I’ll never forget that. And neither should you.

But Then Something Shifted

What began as capturing beauty slowly turned into something else.

I stopped asking, “Do I love this shot?”

I started asking, “Will this do well online?”

At first, it was so much fun to post my photos and feel proud.

But slowly, the feedback loop kicked in.

The likes. The comments. The dopamine hit of engagement.

Without noticing, I’d started creating less for myself and more for the internet.

Instead of chasing light, I was chasing likes (pun intended)

The Digital Validation Trap

Here’s what that trap looks like:

When you’re performing for the feed:

• You plan for impact, not meaning.

• Your mood rises and falls with engagement.

• The algorithm starts shaping your creativity.

When you’re creating for yourself:

• You follow curiosity, not metrics.

• You feel proud of what you made, even if no one saw it.

• Joy comes from the process, not the applause.

Sharing Without Losing Yourself

Don’t get me wrong: sharing isn’t bad. It’s beautiful when it connects, teaches, or celebrates.

I love sharing my ideas on this newsletter.

The trick is keeping the order right:

Create first → then share if you want.

Now, I ask myself:

• Would I still do this if no one saw it?

• Do I enjoy the moment before I document it?

• If it “flopped,” would it still feel worth it?

If I can answer yes, then I know the hobby is still mine.

Final Thoughts

Eventually, I sold all my photography gear.

It felt strange to give up a hobby that had taught me so much about creativity, patience, and seeing the world differently.

But the lesson from this experience I’ll carry for a while.

So here’s my nudge to you: pay attention to what you do online, especially on social media.

Ask yourself: are you putting yourself first, or are you chasing validation?

See you next week,
George

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