Finding words: on creativity and psychology

When I turned twelve, my uncle built me my very first website with a squeaky green background and the flower-framed title Nelia’s World. And now, fifteen years later, I finally have enough words to fill it. Green has turned to blue; the flowers have been replaced by the cloudy skies over Berlin. But it feels more like my world than ever.

My very first release came at exactly the right time, a starting shot with my eyes set forward. Ironically, ever since Schwimmbadblau, I no longer feel like I am drifting in vague creativity, but instead have more clarity about the things ahead.

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Stepping out of the inner world

Beyond being a place to collect my latest releases, I want this website and Finding Words to be a space for a creative journey. One day, I want to play my album and know exactly how and why I put those words into its mouth.

Creativity can sometimes feel untouchable and uncontrollable. That is why it feels all the more important to use this blog to bring clarity: where I stand in my musical project, where I want to go, and what helps me along the way. Which psychological mechanisms fuel motivation and inspiration? How can I overcome creative blocks and manage setbacks?

And what if there is not always an answer? Even better. The beauty of open ends lies in the tension of incompleteness. It not only motivates me, but hopefully also you, to keep going until the missing puzzle piece falls into place.

The self-fulfilling prophecy

That, in a way, is how the seed for this website was planted. After a deep dive into the TikTok universe of other independent artists, it became clearer than ever that I need to treat my EP like any other professional project: with discipline and a concrete plan. And what five years of studying psychology have taught me is this: even small influences can beautifully shape our behavior in meaningful ways.

Have you heard of the self-fulfilling prophecy? In psychology, it describes the phenomenon where our expectations and beliefs, whether positive or negative, influence our behavior, decisions, and even interactions with others. As a result, we may bring about the very outcomes we hope for or fear. If I picture myself as a successful musician, I can actively strengthen that self-image through my actions. And what says more about being established than launching my own website? At the same time, I am signaling to the outside world that I take my music seriously and want to connect with others through it. This strengthens how I am perceived and increases the likelihood of being seen as the musician I aspire to be.

With this website, I am manifesting the next thirty songs and countless streams to influence both my own behavior and the behavior of others and to raise the odds of success. (Whether it works, we will find out in the coming months.)