Just a rhetorical question here, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to thinking about this a lot. I know it seems like something someone who was depressed would ask, but I’m definitely not depressed – more like curious.
What drives anyone to do anything?
Obviously survival would be at the top of the list, but once that is taken care of, then why do more?
What compels someone to spend their life mastering the techniques and skills necessary to express their humanity in some form of art? Especially when they know at the outset that they will struggle to ever make even a meager living at best?
I don’t think these people are deluded (OK, maybe the young ones are – but where would we be without the delusion of youth?)
I think that some people are just compelled to make stuff – to express themselves in some way. They can’t help it, and at times it probably drives them a little crazy.
I would argue that this compulsion to express ourselves is not superfluous – it’s an essential part of what makes us human. This drive is present in all of us, but it varies from being imperceptible in some to manifesting as full blown mania in others.
I guess the answer to my question is this: Because you have no other choice.
It’s just who you are.