Read time: 3 min.

Why is a diamond worth more than a piece of cardboard?

It's simple: value is created by scarcity.

Think about it.

As we grow older, time becomes more precious.

The less we have of something, the more we value it.

But there’s something even rarer than time in today’s world: authenticity.

Lack of Authenticity

Look around you. Almost everyone you meet is wearing a mask, pretending to be someone they’re not.

Sure, their intentions might be good. They want to fit in, avoid conflict, and be accepted. But here’s the truth: that fear of showing their true selves holds them back, leading to a watered-down version of who they really are.

This same problem exists in the creator economy.

Creators are copying each other left and right, imitating trends without ever showing an ounce of their true selves. They blend in with the crowd and—guess what?—they disappear in it.

And if you’re trying to stand out as a creator, that’s the worst fate you could face.

I know this from experience.

I used to post things I thought people wanted to see. The more I did that, the more invisible I became. I wasn’t giving anyone anything real, and they could sense it.

There’s a poem by Charles Bukowski that hit me deeply during this time.

It’s called Bluebird, and it goes like this:

Bluebird by Charles Bukowski

‘there's a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out’

‘but I'm too tough for him, I say, stay down, do you want to mess me up?’

‘you want to screw up the works?’

‘you want to blow my book sales in Europe?’

‘there's a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out,’

‘but I'm too clever, I only let him out at night sometimes when everybody's asleep.’

‘I say, I know that you're there, so don't be sad.’

‘then I put him back, but he's singing a little in there, I haven't quite let him die.’

This poem is all about hiding who you really are—keeping that bluebird—your true self—locked away.

When I first read it, it struck a chord: I was doing exactly that.

I was hiding behind what I thought I should be, instead of letting people see who I really was. And to create something meaningful and unique, I had to let my bluebird out.

Here’s the deal: the more you lean into your own voice, the more results you’ll see. Your audience will grow, not because you’re louder or better than others, but because you’re different.

So, next time you create content—whether it’s a tweet, a blog post, or a video—add that personal element. It could be a story, a quote, or even your favorite poem—like I just shared, Bluebird by Charles Bukowski.

Trust me, it’s far more memorable than copying what everyone else is doing or posting soulless content.

Much love,

— Martijn