Nourishing Your Creativity Through Fiction

For the past three years, I’ve been deep into non-fiction books about capitalism, inequality, and personal finance. These books have changed how I see my place in the world and how certain systems around me work. They've definitely made me more aware of the bigger picture. Alongside this, the current economy, affordability crisis, immigration, and politics have made these topics feel even more urgent. I plan to share the books that have shaped my views and maybe write about these issues later.

But today, I want to talk about a different goal I have for 2026: reading more fiction. This might seem like a shift, but it’s actually connected to what I’ve learned. One idea that stuck with me from non-fiction (finding the works of David Graeber) is that “we are projects of collective self-creation”. Graeber stated that since the dawn of human history, individuals should be regarded and treated as imaginative, intelligent, and playful beings. Suggesting we should ask how society got stuck in such a narrow mindset (our current systems) that we can’t imagine reinventing ourselves.

This made me wonder, how can we think creatively or outside the box? How can we begin to think differently and potentially transform ourselves into a better version? This is where fiction comes into place to feed our imagination and creativity. As a reader, I want to dive into stories that spark creativity and nourish the soul. So this is how I'm challenging myself and why I think fiction deserves a bigger place in our lives.

A good starting point, I need recommendations

From Numbers and Systems to Stories and Souls

Non-fiction gave me tools to understand the world’s systems and my place in them. I learned about money management, economic inequality, and the forces shaping society. But after a while, I noticed something missing: the spark of creativity and the emotional connection that stories bring.

Fiction offers a different kind of knowledge. It lets us step into other people’s shoes, explore new worlds, and imagine possibilities beyond facts and figures. It’s like a workout for the creative part of our brain that non-fiction rarely touches.

I recently came across a TikTok creator who offers book recommendations in the horror genre. She talked about an Argentinean author whose book was originally in Spanish (Nuestra parte de anoche seen in the picture above). Her excitement was contagious and so I was curious enough that when I found myself in a random library in Mexico City, I hunted down that book and bought it. It’s been a long time since I read a book in Spanish, and I’m eager to dive in. This experience reminded me how stories can connect us across cultures and languages.

Why Fiction Matters for Creativity and Growth

Reading fiction isn’t just about entertainment. It helps us:

• Expand empathy by understanding diverse perspectives

• Boost imagination by exploring new ideas and worlds

• Improve problem-solving through complex characters and plots

• Nourish the soul by connecting with human emotions and experiences

  
  

When we read fiction, we practice seeing the world differently. This can inspire new ways of thinking in our personal lives and can be the spark that start a change in our society. This kind of imagination to me feels like breaking up with the things that do not spark joy and the mundane. It gives you a respite from the monotony of a 9-to-5 job and broadens your horizons. Reading fiction, might give you the outlet to imagine yourself doing something more fulfilling.

Setting a Fiction Reading Goal for 2026

I’m setting a goal to read more fiction next year. Here’s how I plan to make it happen:

• Start small with short stories to build momentum (I'm starting with a 667 page book lol)

• Mix genres to keep things interesting (horror, literary fiction, fantasy)

• Join a book club or online community for motivation and discussion

• Keep a reading journal to capture thoughts and creative sparks

  
  

This approach makes fiction feel less like a chore and more like an adventure.

How Fiction Can Influence Our View of Society

The idea that “we are projects of collective self-creation” means society can change if we imagine new possibilities. Fiction helps us practice that imagination. By reading stories from different cultures and viewpoints, we challenge the “tight conceptual shackle” that limits how we see ourselves and others.

Like reading a novel from an international author, not only entertains but also exposes me to cultural nuances and storytelling styles I wouldn’t find in non-fiction. This broadens my understanding of humanity and creativity. So if anyone has any fiction recommendations, feel free to send it my way!