We recently connected with Ross Theisen and have shared our conversation below.

Ross , appreciate you joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

For me, one unexpected problem or reoccurring issue I’ve dealt with in my creative journey, really is just learning that burnout is real, and inspiration can come and go in waves. I’ve realized my creative brain, while always thinking, is not always working when I need it to, for something specific I may want to do. I would often beat myself up over this, thinking I always needed to be “on the grind” and hustle constantly. This, of course, is not the way to be. One of the biggest realizations of this burnout was in 2020, which yes, everyone found their breaking point that year, but for me, it made me question my entire career choice as a creative. I realized I just didn’t like a lot of the work I was (mainly) doing at that time and thought that since I didn’t like to “grind” with that work anymore, that I just didn’t like it at all. What it really was, was an eye opener that I needed to grow and shift my perspective. I had stopped creating for “me” years ago, and got caught in the hustle of freelance and all that. It’s easy to not really concern yourself with burnout when, at first, you’re getting to do something you love ALL the time, but yeah, it can backfire. So, I refocused my energy, making sure that I was not only taking time to rest and remove myself from the work, but also take more of that creative energy, and focus into things that were simply stuff I wanted to make. Not for a client, not for money, not because I “had to” but simply for the art of it, and simply for me.

Ross , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

So, I’m a maker of a lot of things. Is that vague? Absolutely. Is it actually that mysterious or confusing? Not at all. I’ve learned to ball up a lot of what I do under the tag “Creative Director” because, well, I Direct the creative, for lots of types of projects. Made sense to me anyway. But, the skills, let’s talk tangibles. What do I do? I’m a Video Director, Photographer, Social Media Manager, Graphic Designer, Writer, all around media-maker and Podcaster. How did I get into doing all of that? Simply because I knew how much I loved creating things, but more so, how badly I didn’t want an unfulfilled life living in a way where I wasn’t able to freely create as I pleased. So, I dove into the creative world and scratched and clawed until it slowly but surely started to work! I just took a chance on myself to be honest. That’s the key most often. Maybe, some blind optimism? The biggest problem I try to solve within all of this stuff (when Im creating for someone else) is to simply make it far less complicated than what any “industry standard” would have them believe it is, and no get so caught up on the quality of the product, knowing that will be fine, and more so focus on the quality of experience and relationship I’m providing any client I work with. That comes in any form of work I do. Whether it’s with a camera in hand, or at a computer at home, on a video set, wherever. My focus, nearly from day one was never on the super cool gear or over promising things. It was always staying true to my core values and finding the right people to align and create with, within that.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think about this often honestly, and have ran into it in conversation. I have a very strange burning desire to do stuff with my life. My ambitious are often high, but controlled enough at a reasonable level, that I keep many goals on an obtainable level. I think what many non-creatives struggle to see, is that you don’t need to be creative whatsoever to live a creative life. Most people tell me “yeah I don’t wanna do video or something like you do, so nvm”. When in reality, I think many get the idea confused of what it means to pursue dreams or goals, when they can’t tie it to one tangible label. AKA, “Oh I see you do X thing, I don’t wanna do X thing, so I can’t relate to you”. I think that’s silly. The core of anyone’s journey comes down to personal belief in one’s self, and the drive they put behind that. You don’t have to become an artist, or label yourself as a “creative” or even start a business so you can put “Entrepreneur” in your IG bio. There’s so many ways we can all relate to each other, and just some of my favorite stuff to talk about with people is the idea that, we all, deep down, have goals we can TOTALLY pursue, and likely achieve. What I DON’T know, is if everyone gives themselves the room to dig that deep, and unlock that potential. That sounds life-coachy, but it’s true (IMO). I don’t care if someone, idk, works at a car repair shop. We will find things in common with our lives, journeys, and there’s something to be related to and learned from for both parties. With the point being, you can pursue anything you want to pursue. You just have to do the work.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

This is a very big question, but a fun one. It also doesn’t have an easy answer. I think, as a society, people need to remember the actual value of creativity. Everyone’s now consumed (overused word, but true) with social media, doom-scrolling, hating online, just ingesting things for hours upon hours, with no reason. What this does, is creates platforms centered more around viral sh*t-posting, and often covers real art, made by real people. Is that ALWAYS the case? No, cool things make it to the top still, but the vast majority of things get so overlooked if it’s not directly catered to what someone wants to devour at their fingertips in that very moment. But, it’s tough because the internet has allowed people to become as picky as they want. Before I continue down the sci-fi movie speech of the internet taking over the world, I’ll wrap with this. The question being “what could society do to best support artists?” Honestly, try to just slow the F down, and pay more attention once in a while.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/whosrosstheisen
• Twitter: Twitter/whosrosstheisen
• Youtube: Youtube.com/RossTheisen
• Other: My podcasts “What You Don’t Hear” and “Whose Life is it Anyway?” can both be found on Youtube and all podcast streaming platforms!