The Geography of Creativity

I Should Be Smarter By Now

De: Issa Rae

Narrado por: Issa Rae

What’s a West Coast girl with an East Coast vibe to do? In this reflective essay, New York Times bestselling author Issa Rae explores the universal search for a place to make her creative spirit come to life.

Issa Rae was born in Los Angeles but never felt she was quite the city’s type. Though each inspiration destination—from Potomac to Harlem—left its mark, Issa chases her dreams back to her sun-soaked roots. It’s there that Issa finally finds her voice, her wings, and the vibrant heartbeat of a creative community. Issa’s true muse had been waiting all along for her to come home.

From writer, actress, producer, and New York Times bestselling author Issa Rae comes I Should Be Smarter by Now. In these essays, she shares her journey from internet creative to a multi-hyphenate career in Hollywood. Read or listen to them in a single sitting. Either way, they’re insightful, hilarious, and unapologetically authentic.

©2025 by Issa Rae. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Subject matter and authenticity

Loved how she honed in on feeling aligned with your surroundings and how that will allow your creativity to flow authentically.

Finding your creative home

Even though I am not a "creative", Issa Rae's story resonated that knowing yourself is what also cultivated your individual style in all you do. being grounded in who you are is best