You don’t have to agree with me. I sometimes wonder that creativity could rise under “frustrating” uncomfortable circumstances. You may technically call it “sublimation.” Since July last year, I certainly suspect “sublimation” spurred my creativity to some extent. Indeed, I photographed “a lot.”
When I was studying a new language a few years ago, I learned that good mental health can be maintained by “physical exercise, meet and talk with friends, listen to music, watch TV or movies, and sleep well.” Do I miss anything? It is that simple (I understand there are many who cannot achieve some of them with ease, though).
Since I left New York in mid-2023, I have been doing all those things above, except “physical exercise,” but a few months ago, I finally began to achieve it. I rode my bicycle, brought from New York, for a few hours, a couple of times. I simply felt great, along with considerable leg pain.
Curiously nowadays, my “sublimation” seems declining. Am I in good mental health right now? Probably. Should I be frustrated with the fact that I am not photographing a lot as I used to? Well… no. I can, and should, only do what I can do. No rush. If I am in good mental health, why should I want more? BTW, I know I am still photographing. KT
Koyo Tamaki, photographic artist 