Media Consumption as a Creativity Enhancer or Inhibitor?

Does consumption of media enhance or inhibit our creative vision?

I attended a talk by Natgeo Explorer Anand Varma at Terra, Expo City. I'm not someone who typically enjoys these kinds of events because I find them to be a bit generic and repetitive. However, his work and story behind his creative process left me feeling reflective about whether consumption of media plays a significant role in the creative process, and if so, what kind of effect does it have. Its not the first time I've felt like this, reaching a point in photography where I feel like my creativity has stagnated and taking photos often feels monotonous and like simply going through the motions.

In some ways, I have found a lot of inspiration and ideas from photographers and friends alike here on this platform. However, at the same time, I questioned whether it was inspiration or rather had my mind been unconsciously programmed to think about and visualize things in a particularly narrow and linear path. Was I creating or was I replicating?

When I used to be more actively engage in traditional/digital art, I frequently found myself envious of my own work that I had created as a kid. It was far more daring and unbound, but most of all, I was jealous of how little I cared about failing or doing things perfectly. That childlike curiosity wasn't shackled and plagued by thoughts of what is possible and achievable. The stories Anand told have reinvigorated my spirits and made me feel like there is so much more to experiment with. I'd like to spend less time thinking and more time doing.

It's almost feels like retraining your brain out of bad habits. Reminding yourself and reinforcing that failing is ok and trying things that make no sense is ok, so long as you enjoy the process. I feel as if that may be the key to creating work that truly makes the soul shudder.