I might be writing what people expect me to write, writing from

In the words of Kathy Acker, "I might be writing what people expect me to write, writing from that place where I might be ruled by economic considerations. To overcome that, I started working with my dreams, because I'm not so censored when I use dream material," we are invited into a deep reflection on the tension between artistic freedom and societal pressures. Acker speaks of the conflict many creatives face: the desire to produce work that is both true to their inner selves and financially viable. Economic considerations—the need to satisfy an external market or societal expectations—can often restrict the freedom of thought and creation. But Acker found liberation in embracing her dreams, a place where censorship cannot touch her, where her creativity can flow freely, unbound by the expectations of the world.

This inner conflict between artistic freedom and the constraints of society is an age-old dilemma, discussed by the ancient philosophers. Plato, in his dialogue The Republic, warned of the dangers of poets and artists who created merely to please the masses. For Plato, true art should elevate the soul, not simply cater to popular demand. Yet, even Plato acknowledged the power of art to shape society. In a way, Acker’s words reflect this same tension: she recognizes that writing for a living often means compromising one’s artistic integrity to fulfill external expectations. It is in the unconscious world of dreams that she finds her escape from these confines, a space where her soul is free to speak its truths.

The ancients also understood the power of dreams as a source of deeper insight. Aristotle, though skeptical of the excesses of the imagination, recognized that dreams were connected to the unconscious mind, often revealing truths that the conscious mind could not grasp. Carl Jung, much later, would explore this idea further, suggesting that dreams offer a direct connection to the unconscious, bypassing the filters of logic and societal expectations. For Acker, this is the space where she can truly express herself without restraint, a realm where her creativity is unbound by the external world. This speaks to a powerful human truth: that the soul often communicates its deepest desires and truths through symbols, visions, and dreams.

Consider the story of Salvador Dalí, the brilliant surrealist artist, who was deeply inspired by his dreams. Dalí’s paintings, such as The Persistence of Memory, were filled with bizarre and haunting images that arose from his unconscious mind. In his autobiography, Dalí spoke of using his dreams to fuel his artistic work, believing that they held the key to unlocking his true creative potential. Much like Acker, Dalí found that embracing his dreams allowed him to transcend the limits of reality and society’s expectations. By using his dreams as his muse, Dalí freed himself from the constraints of conventional thought and entered a realm where his art could be truly authentic.

Acker’s admission of working with her dreams is also a recognition of the power of the unconscious in the creative process. Dreams are not just random images; they are messages from the depths of our psyche, and they often carry with them a wisdom that transcends the conscious mind. To use dream material in her writing is Acker’s way of reconnecting with a source of truth that is not filtered by societal norms or economic pressures. It is an act of self-liberation, a way of reclaiming her voice and channeling it through the raw material of her own subconscious mind.

The lesson to be drawn from Acker’s words is one of authenticity and self-expression. As we navigate a world often shaped by economic pressures and external expectations, it is easy to lose sight of our own creative truth. Yet, like Acker, we must find ways to reconnect with the deeper parts of ourselves—those places where our dreams, desires, and truths reside. It is through these inner realms that we can create freely, untainted by the weight of the world’s judgments.

The practical action we can take is to make space for the unconscious in our own lives. Like Acker, we can turn to our dreams as a source of inspiration, allowing them to guide our creative process. Whether through writing, painting, or any other form of expression, we must allow our authentic selves to emerge, free from the constraints of societal pressure. By embracing our dreams, we reclaim our creative freedom and begin to live in alignment with the deeper truths of who we are. In doing so, we are able to craft lives and works that are truly our own, not dictated by external forces but shaped by the wisdom of our innermost selves.