Why Creative Friendships Matter More Than You Think
Picture taken by- Ris Marciel
Being in your twenties can be oddly lonely. You’re technically an adult, but half the time it still feels like you’re winging it. Friends move away, life gets busy, and trying to make new connections feels awkward at best and impossible at worst.
But then, something shifts. You join a class. You post a piece of your work. You find yourself in a space with people who just get it the highs, the burnout, the late night chaos of trying to bring an idea to life. And somewhere in the middle of all that, you meet someone who clicks.
A creative friend.
Not just someone you like. Someone you create beside. Someone whose passion reminds you of your own. Someone who doesn’t care if your paintbrush is shaky or if your latest draft makes zero sense. They are there, fully present, cheering you on.
And suddenly, everything feels a little less heavy.
Creativity Doesn’t Care About Your Background, Just Your Fire
You don’t need to be in the same career field. You don’t need the same style. You could be someone who writes moody poetry while your creative friend designs bold streetwear or paints with colors that make your head spin. What matters is the shared understanding that creating is more than just a hobby. It’s personal. Sometimes even sacred.
The best part? These friendships are often unexpected. Age does not matter. Background does not matter. Sometimes the people you bond with creatively are the ones you never would have approached in a different setting. But something about their energy, their spark, pulls you in.
You learn from them. You see how they chase their ideas without hesitation and it inspires you to take your own risks. They show you parts of the creative world you might never have explored on your own.
Watching Your Creative Friends Win is a Different Kind of Joy
There’s something special about being there when someone starts from scratch. When their idea is just a voice note or a sketch on a napkin. When you’ve seen them doubt themselves and push through anyway.
So when they finally finish the piece, hit publish, or land an opportunity they’ve been working toward it doesn’t just feel good. It feels right.
It’s not competitive. It’s not about comparing paths. It’s about watching someone you believe in grow into the version of themselves they’ve been working toward. And yes, maybe it gives you a little nudge too. The healthy kind. The kind that says, “If they can do it, so can I.”
Real Creative Friends Keep You Accountable, Grounded, and Inspired
They will call you out when you are overthinking again. They will remind you that perfection is not the goal — honesty is. They will send you prompts when you are in a slump. They will text you to show up to the open mic or submit the piece before the deadline.
It is more than support. It is accountability with heart.
They see you. Not just the polished final project, but the messy middle. The rough draft. The days where you want to quit. And they stay. That is powerful.
How to Find Your Creative People
You do not need a giant circle. Just one or two people who light a creative fire in you is enough. If you’re still looking, here are a few places to start:
Join a workshop or local creative event
Follow and engage with other artists online seriously, comment something kind
Try a monthly creative challenge and tag others in your work
Share behind-the-scenes content and process posts
Say yes to small opportunities even if they scare you a little
Showing up as your authentic self, even if your work feels unfinished is the best way to attract the kind of energy you are looking for. And when you find it, don’t take it for granted.
Final Thoughts
Creative friendships are more than just good vibes and shared interests. They remind you why you started. They keep your passion alive. They make the hard parts more bearable and the wins that much sweeter.
So if you have a friend who supports your creativity, let them know how much they matter. And if you’re still looking trust that your people are out there. Keep showing up. Keep creating. Keep connecting.
Because art is better when it’s not done alone.
