Rule #1 of songwriting:
If it sounds good, it is good.
That is it. Doesn't matter if it does or doesn't work in theory, or that something is in or out of tune, or that it does or doesn't follow a typical structure. If you like it, that is all that matters. Period.
Regardless of how you learned, the fact is that you learned. We didn't invent music, songwriting, song structure, harmonies, guitars etc...so we really can't take a huge amount of credit for anything. We are simply adding our ideas to the mix.
For the most part. A self taught musician will eventually learn chords from somewhere. A schooled musician will learn that through formal education. You will both end up in the same place but you will have taken different routes.
Example; Danny Elfman is self taught. John Williams is schooled. They are both A-List composers. It is important not to look at the differences but the similarities to see how two ways of learning can land you in the same place. Most likely dedication, the love of the art, study of some kind (self or schooled).
Learning theory doesn't make you a "stale" composer. Writing stale music does that.
I am a schooled musician and I have found that learning theory can eventually speed up the creative process. I have a bunch of tools that I have at my disposal should I choose to use them but that is never what inspires the songs. An idea will pop in my head and it comes out from there. With theory I can understand how to put that idea immediately into action. Without theory it would take me a bit longer but I would eventually get there. Even non-musicians hear music in their head.
If you want to study, I think that is a great idea.
If you don't want to study, I think that is a great idea.
No one learns from nothing. You are a student of something no matter what.
So, are you creative?
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