Writing has Never Been More Impressive

I’ve adapted to using AI in these passing years. I use it at my office, or to research why my Betta fish has gone on a hunger strike (He’s okay, thankfully). I’ve heard conversations in coffee shops from people wishing it could walk their dog, or become a part of their friend group. Hearing this I thought, why have a dog if you don’t want to walk them? Likely, it’s another responsibility—another thing labeled as a chore.

We’ve come to crave only the fun parts of life. I’ve found myself in this countless times, especially when planning my writing. I love my idea. I can’t wait to learn from my characters and get to see how my story will evolve, yet when the time comes, I either trap myself in an endless scroll on YouTube or Instagram (You’re probably on TikTok. I deleted it thinking that’d solve the problem...), or I distract myself with the millions of chores that have to get done now.

Lately, this has made me ask myself this: Do I even enjoy writing, or is writing something I’ve told myself I enjoy?

The answer came in the form of my local gym. I hate the act of working out. I can’t find a flow and I’m gym-shy, so attending the gym is something I avoid more than I’d like to admit. It’s not until the following day that I remember why I work out. I crave the post-workout sensation—the gentle ache of freshly tuned muscles, the realization that I’m working toward my goal. That’s an empowering feeling.

I chase that feeling with my writing. Switching my brain to the creative gear is a challenge, but when I’m in front of the pages and the words start flowing, I’m accomplishing something I’ve always desired. Then I realize I’m only 1/100th of the way closer to completing the novel—but that’s one-hundred more times that I get to experience that sense of achievement.

If I gave my book idea to an AI, I’d have felt none of that achievement. Every story I’ve heard from others using AI is that it’s their get-rich-quick plot. The achievement wasn’t storytelling—it was the act of creating a product (and one that they believe will sell thousands of copies...)

I’m sure AI will outperform me in storytelling someday. This only bothers me when I look at stories solely as products to be sold. I’m doing this for me, because the relief I feel from creating art is irreplacable.

Going back to the avoidant dog-walker: if they replace this “chore” with a robot’s help, what are they doing with their time instead? I find it hard to believe that they don’t have fifteen minutes to care for their pet. If they’re too busy because of school and work, parenting and relationships, a bustling social… maybe they’re too busy for their own good. If I were them, I’d unknowingly use time to scroll. Now my dog has bonded with a robot and I’ve been Instagram-influenced into buying someone’s AI book.

I searched for a word that may describe this feeling. It’s not act act of acheiving a goal, it’s the act of pushing through the grind, chasing accomplishment in the hard-fought moment. I found only one that comes close:

Eustress — a psychological stress interpreted as being beneficial.

But even eustress doesn’t fully encapsulate this sensation. Maybe I’ll call this sensation “eucomplishment”.

Eucomplishment — a relief of working to accomplish something challenging.

We don’t even have a word for this sensation. Eucomplishment isn’t rewarded in society anymore. Even reading is treasured as a difficult, empowering task. We’ve grown comfortable with our short-sighted, quick fixes and have stopped caring about bigger pictures. We’re decadent. We have no need to think creatively about a solution, because with a quick Google search, we’re able to find a product to fix it, and with a quick AI prompt, we’re able to solve even our artistic desires.

I’ve found it difficult to avoid AI simply because the only currency I’ve been taught to appreciate is the financial type. When I’m not writing, not walking the dog, and not exercising, I’m bankrupt in this eucomplishment sense. It’s a moral that I fight to keep alive by reminding myself that any story can change someone’s life, regardless of sales—even if that person is the writer themself. My first novel has taught me things I never expected, and I’m eternally grateful for this.

When you’re pressured to hand your craft over to AI, or told you should give up because an AI will outpace you, fight it. Your craft is your own. If you need to make a quick buck, you’ll surely find a way, but remember the eucomplishemnt you may feel from working on your goals, like a gentle nuzzle from a dog after a walk, and carry on.

What are some moments where you’ve experienced eucomplishment? Share them below!