You’ve been told you need to build capital. You’ve been told to invest. You’ve been told you need to get out of debt before you start investing. All of this is very sound financial advice.

But you need to forget it all.

We all need to respect our financial commitments, but being debt-free does nothing to erase hunger, cold, and ugly surroundings. Being warm, well-fed, and inhabiting a lovely space, on the other hand, can really soothe the sting of debt.

And if you’re an artist, freedom to create is even more precious than the elements of survival.

Money is just a construct. You’re already rich: Your capital is your capacity to create beauty, a thing bringing joy to you and to the world. Occupy your mind, heart, and hands with it, starting now.