Getting stuck in the cycle of overconsumption can hold back your creativity. Watching endless tutorials or reading gear reviews might feel productive, but it can leave you overwhelmed and unable to take meaningful action. For anyone struggling with this, finding the balance between learning and doing is key to moving forward.
Coming to you from Rick Bebbington, this insightful video explores the pitfalls of overconsumption and how it prevents you from creating. Bebbington shares his own experience, highlighting how consuming too much content created a false sense of productivity. He describes the mental blocks that arise when learning becomes a substitute for action, often rooted in fear or self-doubt. Instead of focusing on growth through creating, he fell into the trap of thinking that learning more would make him ready—something he now knows isn’t true.
Bebbington emphasizes that creativity comes from doing, not from endlessly preparing. Action leads to motivation, not the other way around. He offers practical steps to break the cycle of overconsumption, starting with setting time limits for consuming content and curating your feeds to focus on what truly inspires you. One suggestion he shares is labeling consumption apps on your phone with a reminder, like “Is this productive?” to encourage mindfulness before opening them. For those who need a reset, he suggests deleting apps entirely, at least temporarily.
Taking steps to prioritize creation over consumption also means setting goals and creating accountability. Bebbington explains how he shifted his habits by focusing on personal projects and consistent output. For example, working on long-term projects, like photographing a single subject across different conditions, has helped him channel his creative energy. This approach provides a sense of fulfillment and growth that passive consumption cannot.
If you’re feeling stuck, Bebbington’s video offers ideas to spark action. These include setting challenges, restricting your gear to push creativity, or committing to daily or weekly projects. He reminds you that starting small and staying consistent can lead to unexpected opportunities. His own journey shows how replacing overconsumption with intentional creation can open doors and build confidence. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Bebbington.
This is such an important reminder for creatives—it’s so easy to fall into the trap of overconsumption and feel like you’re making progress when, in reality, you’re stuck in preparation mode. I really appreciated the practical steps you shared from Rick Bebbington’s video, like setting time limits for consuming content or labeling apps to encourage mindfulness. Those are actionable and immediately helpful tips for breaking the cycle.
One idea that could complement this approach is incorporating a ‘creation-first’ routine. For example, starting the day with 30 minutes dedicated to creating something—whether it’s shooting, editing, writing, or brainstorming—before engaging with any content online. This could help set a proactive tone for the day and build momentum through consistent action.
Have you or Rick experimented with routines like this to prioritize creation over consumption? I’d love to hear more about what’s worked for you!
Paul Tocatlian
Kisau Photography
www.kisau.com