Theme for July: COMPETENCIA
The CreativeMornings theme for July is COMPETENCIA. It was chosen by the Santiago chapter in Chile and illustrated by Valentina González.

Competencia (pronounced “kohm·peh·TEN·see·ah”) is a Spanish word that translates to  “competition.”

The phrase “iron sharpens iron” means competing against the best makes us better; just as rubbing two pieces of metal together makes both sharper. The desire to win fuels greater effort. But it can also lead to resentment and burnout.

Creative work doesn’t have to be a zero sum game. Improving at your craft doesn’t require beating everyone else. Your real competition is a past version of yourself. And true victory is enjoying getting a little bit better than you were yesterday.

The Santiago chapter had this to say about the significance of this month’s theme:

“Competition in Santiago’s creative community is a complex and often contradictory feeling. On one hand, it drives us to improve, innovate, and push boundaries. On the other, it fosters comparison, stress, and isolation.

For CreativeMornings/Santiago, competition is not about defeating others, but about challenging ourselves to grow while supporting those around us. We believe healthy competition can inspire creativity, but only when it doesn’t overshadow collaboration and community.

In Chile, where resources can be scarce and the creative market relatively small, competition can feel intense. Yet, our chapter sees it as a reminder to balance ambition with empathy, to celebrate each other’s successes, and to share knowledge openly.

We encourage our community to reframe competition—not as a race to the top, but as a way to raise the bar together. This mindset helps us foster a supportive environment where creatives feel empowered to take risks, learn from one another, and create without fear.”