Breaking the Concept of being Self Made

Artwork by Juliana Montes de Oca

The term “self-made” is often  plastered across headlines, social media bios, and even award speeches. The description  encompasses   celebrating hard work, grit, and ambition, qualities that are undoubtedly important. But, let’s be honest: the idea of being truly “self-made” is a myth. No one achieves anything entirely on their own.

Yes, your dedication and work ethic matter. But so do the people, circumstances, timing, and even the unseen forces that helped shape your journey. It’s time we shift our focus from ego-driven narratives to recognizing the intricate web of support, energy, and community that makes succeeding possible.

Let’s break it down with something as simple as getting a part-time job. You studied, dressed the part, and walked into that interview with confidence. But what about the bus driver who got you there on time? Or the friend who lent you their blazer for the interview? Or the stranger who gave you directions when you got lost? Success is never linear. It's layered with countless micro-moments and quiet contributors we often overlook.

Faith, timing, and energy also play their role. The universe has a rhythm that sometimes places the right people or opportunities in our paths, at just the right moment. That’s not an accident. That’s life unfolding through community and connection.

Take Vincent Van Gogh. One of the greatest artists the world has ever known, but Van Gogh, himself, died thinking he was a failure. His art wasn’t celebrated in his lifetime. He struggled with mental health and isolation. But his brother, Theo, never gave up on him. Theo believed in Vincent’s vision and supported him emotionally and financially. After Vincent’s death, it was Theo’s wife, Johanna, who preserved his letters, promoted his work, and made sure the world saw what her husband and his brother saw all along. True brilliance.

Would Van Gogh be “Van Gogh” without them? Probably not. That’s the power of community, love, and belief.

Let’s look beyond the art world to the world of sports. Take the story of Indian cricket star, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He came from humble beginnings and faced countless setbacks. But, behind his journey was a whole network of people, family members, coaches, mentors, and even strangers, who helped him at different points. People who believed in his potential when he didn’t have the resources, connections, or platform. The film MS Dhoni: The Untold Story shows just how many moving parts went into creating the legend we know today.

Another beautiful example is Milkha Singh, one of India’s greatest runners. His story is shown in the film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag which reveals the emotional and physical hardship he endured. Yet, it was the community around him, trainers, friends, mentors, and fans, that helped him carry the weight of his past and sprint into greatness. Behind every record broken and every medal won, there was a team that made the moment possible. 

At Cosmos Creatives, we don’t believe in the “self-made” myth. We believe in people. In collaboration. In rising together. One of our core values is community, and that value drives everything we do.

We’ve seen firsthand what happens when artists, creatives, and dreamers are supported. We’ve worked with models and actors who may not have massive followings or agencies backing them, but they have heart, passion, and incredible potential. We’ve seen illustrators and photographers who simply needed a platform to showcase their gifts. And we give that to them, not because we expect something back, but because we believe in lighting the spark for someone else’s journey.

That’s why we feature artists on our blog. That’s why we offer collaboration opportunities with creators who are still finding their footing. We know that sometimes all it takes is one shout-out, one opportunity, one email, to change the entire course of someone’s career. And when we offer that hand, we’re not just helping them. We’re building a world where creativity is truly communal.

It’s easy to let success inflate our sense of independence. But pride should never outweigh gratitude. When people say “I made it all on my own,” they erase the impact of the teachers who taught them, the communities that shaped them, the systems that allowed them to thrive, and the people who stood beside them in silence.

No one climbs alone.

So, let’s break this idea of the “self-made” mogul or genius once and for all. Let’s instead start honoring the collective journey. Let’s thank the ones who helped us, supported us, and walked with us, even if only for a second. Because success built on ego is hollow. But success built on connection? That’s where the magic lives. 

At Cosmos Creatives, our mission is to keep nurturing that magic. We believe in lifting as we climb, celebrating potential, and sharing the spotlight. Because your win is our win. And in community, we all rise.

Best Wishes, 

Muskaan Rudhra