[broscillator]

> If so, what's the missing ingredient? I wonder...

I see what you mean, I think personally that ingredient is belief in a higher purpose, in the sense that my creative act is not just a capricious enjoyment on my part, or even a key component of my mental health, but that it can serve a function for other people and that that is the opposite of being selfish.

I'm still coming to terms with this idea.

I'm curious about your project if you don't mind sharing. I had a moment like that a few months ago and this book reached me after that. And FWIW my friend mentioned she re-reads the book and does the exercises every year, I can see myself doing that, and it's made it easier to not berate myself for not doing all of the exercises.

[aschearer]

That's an interesting theory and certainly meshes well with the book's thesis!

My project was a video game I co-created called "You Will Die Here Tonight." After many years, we finally shipped! I find there's something special about actually finishing work. That growth occurs up in the thin air at the summit, if you catch my drift.

[broscillator]

For me there's something akin to "postpartum depression" too, an achievement but an emptiness too. The summit for me is right when about to finish, not when it's released.

Congrats on the game, I know games are a lot of hard work! I love resident evil, might give it a go if it runs on linux/proton.

[aschearer]

Thank you! -- it runs on a Steamdeck, or so I'm told, so hopefully it will run on Linux, too.

I think what you say is right, too. There's something special in that last push, and there's a sense of loss afterwards.

But then you get down to earth and start over. Best of luck with your current or next project!