Once You See The Truth It Is Hard To Unsee

By Alan Watts

 

There is something profoundly unsettling about seeing the world for what it is. It is as if a veil has been lifted and, in that moment, everything that once felt certain, solid and familiar begins to dissolve.

 

The rules that once seemed so absolute – what is good, what is bad, what one should do, how one should live – no longer hold the same weight and with this shift becomes a quiet separation from the world and the people in it.  

 

It is not a choice made out of bitterness or resentment.  It is not that one wishes to be alone. Rather it is a natural consequence of understanding, of seeing through the layers of conditioning that keep most people tethered to the illusions of society. 

 

The more one awakens to the truth, the more difficult it becomes to engage in the games that once seemed important. Small talk feels empty, gossip feels like noise.  The constant struggle for success, validation and approval appears pointless, a fleeting distraction from something deeper.

 

Most people do not seek truth.  They seek comfort. They seek familiarity.  They seek confirmation that the way they are living is right, that their beliefs are correct, that their choices are justified. But the moment one steps beyond this, they are no longer a participant in the collective dream. They become an outsider, not because they have rejected the world but because the world no longer recognises them as one of its own.

 

There is an odd paradox in all of this.  The one who sees beyond illusion does not judge those who remain asleep.  There is no anger, no frustration, no superiority.  Only understanding.  They see why people cling to their beliefs, why people hold to their routines, why they seek distraction.

 

They understand that most are simply afraid – afraid of the unknown, afraid of letting go, afraid of questioning too deeply, for fear that everything they have built their identity on might crumble. 

 

And so the awakened one moves differently. They do not force their insights on others, for they know that truth cannot be given, it must be found. They do not try to convince or argue, for they see that most do not want to be freed, they only want to be reassured.

 

This creates a distance, not an intentional one but an inevitable one.  Friends drift away, conversations become strained.  The connections that once felt natural, now feel forced.  

 

The more one embraces their own awakening, the more they find themselves standing at the edges of the world, watching as others move through life as if in a dream.  

There is a temptation to return to the old ways to try and fit in again, to pretend for the sake of companionship but, once the truth has been seen, it cannot be unseen.

Once You See the Truth: What Alan Watts Teaches Creators About Freedom

There’s a moment in every creator’s journey—especially those walking the solopreneur path—when they realise they’re no longer just building a business or posting content. They’re waking up.

Alan Watts’ short but soul-rattling piece, Once You See The Truth It Is Hard To Unsee, perfectly captures that moment of awakening. For creators and vision-driven independents, it’s not just poetic philosophy. It’s personal. It’s practical. And it explains why so many of us feel like we no longer belong to the “normal world” of 9–5s, status games, or small talk.

Let’s break it down and see how this essay maps onto the inner journey of the awakened creator.

The Veil Lifts: The Creator’s First Break from the Matrix

Watts describes the feeling of seeing the world clearly—as if a veil has been lifted. Many creators experience this too, though it often sneaks up on them. It might happen after reading one too many self-help books, hitting “publish” on their first blog post, or realizing they can make money on their own terms.

Suddenly, the things that used to feel solid—like job security, following trends, or working toward someone else’s dream—begin to dissolve.

This awakening feels thrilling… but also unsettling.

Just like Watts said, the rules of life no longer hold the same weight. You start to ask:

  • Why am I chasing “success”?

  • Whose definition of success am I even using?

  • What if the game I was taught to play… is rigged?

This is the moment you stop being a content consumer and become a creator of meaning.

Goodbye Validation, Hello Vision

Watts points to a shift: the desire for truth overtakes the need for validation.

For solopreneurs, this is the turning point. You no longer create for likes, followers, or the algorithm. You create because you must. Because there’s something in you that needs to be said, even if no one claps.

You no longer crave comfort—you crave clarity. That’s when you start saying no to busy work and yes to deep work. No to superficial content, yes to resonance.

Of course, this can make you feel like an outsider. And that’s not just a metaphor. As your worldview evolves, your conversations change. You can’t gossip about the weather when your mind’s on purpose. You’re building something real—and many won’t get it.

The Lonely Edge of the Dreamworld

Watts describes a “quiet separation” from others—not because you’re bitter, but because you’re different now.

This hits hard for creators walking the solopreneur path. Friends may not understand why you don’t want a “real job” anymore. Family might worry when you skip the social stuff to write your book or build your funnel.

And yet… you keep going. Because once you’ve tasted that creative freedom, it’s impossible to go back to pretending.

You’ve seen through the illusion. You’ve outgrown the old game.

And let’s be honest: no amount of small talk can compare to the deep joy of building something authentically yours.

You Don’t Preach—You Create

One of the most beautiful insights in this essay is Watts’ reminder that awakened people don’t force the truth on others. They simply embody it.

This is key for creators. You’re not here to convince everyone. You’re not here to go viral at all costs.

You’re here to express the truth as you see it—through your art, your message, your mission. Whether you’re writing an ebook, launching a GPT system, or recording a YouTube video, your job is to share from the edge… not scream at the crowd.

And ironically, that’s what attracts your real tribe. Not the noise, but the depth. Not the tactics, but the transmission.

Most People Want Comfort—You Want Truth

Watts reminds us that most people aren’t chasing truth. They’re chasing reassurance.

As a creator, that insight gives you freedom. You stop needing everyone to “get it.” You realize that your message isn’t for the masses—it’s for the misfits. The rebels. The few who are ready to wake up too.

This allows you to let go of needing permission. You don’t need the world’s applause. You need your own alignment.

Your job isn’t to be liked. It’s to be liberated.

Living and Creating from the Edge

At the end of the essay, Watts talks about “standing at the edges of the world,” watching others live as if in a dream.

Many creators live right there—with one foot in the world and one foot outside it. You’re building systems, income streams, and assets… but you’re also unplugging from illusions.

You’ve seen what’s possible:

  • Income from your ideas.

  • Autonomy over your time.

  • Connection without compromise.

  • Creativity as currency.

And yes, it’s lonely sometimes. But it’s real.

And the deeper truth? You’re not actually alone. There’s a whole wave of creators waking up, too—building quiet revolutions from their laptops, mic’ing up their message, turning ideas into income.

We’re not escaping the world. We’re remaking it.

Final Thought: You Are the Message

If you’ve felt that same “quiet separation” Watts describes… good.

It means you’re waking up.

And your role, as a creator, is not to go back to sleep just to make others comfortable.

Your role is to build the bridge between insight and income.

Your business isn’t just a hustle—it’s a vehicle for truth. Your art, your message, your offers—they’re not just products. They’re portals.

So don’t shrink to fit the world.

Create what the world doesn’t even know it needs yet.

Because once you see the truth… you’re not just a creator.

You’re a guide.

You’re a light.

And you’re free.