Why I Create: A Reflection on Passion, Purpose, and Storytelling

What Have I Learned About Content Creation?

This reflection started with a 30-day challenge on Instagram. I posted content consistently for 30 days, and this is what I learned.

That creating should be an act of passion, not a pursuit of validation. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that numbers measure worth—that if a post doesn’t perform well, it wasn’t good enough. But the truth is, algorithms don’t measure depth. They don’t recognize the hours spent crafting a story, the thoughtfulness behind a shot, or the subtlety of an emotion captured on film. Some of the most breathtaking works I’ve seen were buried in the depths of the internet, unseen by most. Meanwhile, content made for quick consumption, designed to exploit trends rather than express truth, often soars to the top.

So, what does success as a creator really mean? Is it in the fleeting rush of a viral moment, or in the quiet satisfaction of knowing you created something meaningful? I think about the artists of the past, the ones who worked for years on paintings that no one saw in their lifetime. They created not for an audience, but because they had to—because the act of creating itself was the reward. What if we approached content that way? Not as something to be fed into an algorithm, but as something worth making, even if no one sees it right away?

The Problem with Chasing Metrics

Social media can be deceiving. It lures us into thinking that numbers reflect impact, that a piece of work with fewer likes or shares is inherently less valuable. But how many times have you been deeply moved by something that never went viral? How often does the content that resonates the most with you get lost in the noise of trending challenges and fleeting trends? Engagement metrics can be useful, but they are not the full story.

Creators who fixate only on metrics risk losing their authenticity. They shape their work based on what they think will perform well rather than what speaks to them. And over time, this erodes creativity. The joy of storytelling turns into a numbers game, and when the numbers disappoint, so does the passion.

Who Are You Creating For?

So, who are you creating for? If the answer is just “for the numbers,” you risk burnout, self-doubt, and creative stagnation. But if you create for the love of it—for the joy of storytelling, the thrill of capturing a fleeting moment, or the desire to share a unique perspective—then the process itself becomes the reward. That doesn’t mean growth doesn’t matter. If you want to improve, if you want to make a career out of this, numbers will play a role. But let them be a tool, not the measure of your worth.

Social media is, in large part, a game. And it’s fine to play it—just don’t let it dictate your creative journey. Chase mastery, not likes. Push yourself to refine your skills, to craft deeper stories, to see the world with fresh eyes. Be competitive, but only with the creator you were yesterday.

The Beauty of Slow Growth

In an age of instant gratification, we forget that great things take time. The best filmmakers, photographers, and storytellers didn’t master their craft overnight. They spent years refining their voice, experimenting, and failing before they found their style. If you’re in this for the long haul, embrace slow growth. Every post, every video, every piece of content is a stepping stone toward something greater.

Why I Create

This is why I create—not just to be seen, but to express something real. To capture the beauty of Croatia… the golden light on the sea, the hidden corners that hold centuries of history, the small details that make a place come alive. My role isn’t to put myself at the center but to invite you into the frame. Because the real star of the story isn’t me—it’s Croatia.

I create because storytelling is in my blood. Because when we fly our drone over the Adriatic, or frame a shot just as the sun kisses the horizon, I feel something that no number on a screen could ever measure. It’s about capturing moments that matter, moments that make people feel something.

A Challenge to Fellow Creators

If you’re a creator, what keeps you inspired? What do you create for? I challenge you to take a step back and reflect. Strip away the numbers, the trends, and the pressure to perform. If you had no audience at all, would you still create?

If the answer is yes, then you’re on the right path. Keep going.