The Creative Echo: How Your Environment Shapes Your Imagination
A striking split-image showing soldiers in fire beside a peaceful landscape, symbolizing the journey from structure to creative freedom.
They say you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. While that may sound like a catchy quote for motivational posters, I’ve learned firsthand just how true it is—especially when it comes to creativity.
From Canvas to Camouflage
When I joined the military, I didn’t expect my creativity to take
a backseat. But over time, I noticed my creative energy wasn’t
gone—it was redirected. The structure, discipline, and intensity
of military life didn’t exactly encourage painting or sketching,
but it demanded a different kind of problem-solving. My
creativity didn’t die, it adapted. It showed up in quick thinking,
in leading teams, and in finding new ways to boost morale.
Still, the shift away from traditional artistic outlets left a void. I wasn’t around artists anymore. I was around warriors, strategists, and leaders—people whose goals were vastly different from mine. And that mattered more than I realized.
The Power of Proximity
There’s a reason why being in a room full of musicians makes you want to hum a tune, or why being around entrepreneurs makes you want to build something. Energy is contagious. Ambition is contagious. Creativity is contagious.
If you want to be more creative, put yourself in environments that spark imagination—coffee shops buzzing with conversation, art studios full of color, coworking spaces where ideas bounce off the walls. Surround yourself with people who create because they must, because it’s who they are. And if you want to be financially literate, go where the money conversations are happening. It’s not about faking it—it’s about growing into it.
Rediscovering the Muse
Since transitioning out of the military, I’ve been more intentional about my surroundings. I realized that creativity isn’t just a switch—it’s a seed, and it needs the right soil to grow. I’ve started carving out space for art again. I find that just being around people who are creating—whether it's content, code, music, or movement—helps reignite my own creative fire.
Closing Thoughts
You don’t have to overhaul your life to become more creative. But you do have to be honest about what environments nurture you—and which ones drain you. Whether you’re trying to write more, launch a business, or rediscover an old passion, the people you surround yourself with will either challenge you or chain you. Choose wisely.
