I am not a creative.

“There’s a widespread idea that “People who make things are simply different [read: better] than those who don’t.”

This. I recently read this article on The Atlantic that resonated. It articulated thoughts of how I feel not only about the term "maker" but also "creative." In short, the author argues that labeling people 'makers,' creates a rift in society that prizes those who make as more valuable than those who don't. And in prizing 'makers, ' a traditionally male focused way of thinking, we de-value the traditionally female roles of education, caregiving, and all other types of work. 

It's hard for me to hear people using the term 'creative' without an air of being better than other types of careers (this is probably my own implicit bias). Like the ones held by those who make are more valuable, more respected, more important than others. I take no issue with making - I make a living from it and have lots of fun doing it. But I also recognize, that there are other impactful jobs for society than what I am doing in my day to day. Educators teaching the next generation of leaders, health care professionals taking care of those in need, mothers of all types raising children and the people who make our cities run and daily lives possible. 

Chacra makes a great point that  "the problem is the idea that the alternative to making is usually not doing nothing." It's the idea that those who don't make, aren't of value to society. It's easy to attach myself too tightly to the term 'filmmaker' or 'director.' But really, what does that even mean? Some food for thought on the labels we give ourselves.