I’m torn because sometimes I tell myself I just need to suck it up and write, because I’ve only got a certain amount of time available to me in a day. But other times I just wish I could be sitting on a veranda in the Italian countryside with endless time and inspiration in front of me. I think I would operate better creatively in that scenario, but it’s a luxury few of us have. Most days I treat writing like going to the gym — I’m always resistant to it at first but once I do it I feel sooo much better!
A gentler approach definitely works for me. I loved your mood board; so many of the quotes resonated with me. A favourite was Ralph Emerson's.
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."
To get inspired or out of a rut I visit another part of my city which has a completely different vibe.
And, if I'm feeling brave I chat to strangers and sometimes get answers to my questions.
I'd like a mood board on "keeping humor alive in a very serious world"
i love this gentler approach to creative work. it is helpful!
to your question, "What helps you when creatively stuck?"
i love remembering this quote from W. Somerset Maugham:
“I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o'clock sharp.”
start somewhere. start anywhere. start by reading something. start by resting. start by telling a friend i love them. start where i was yesterday. start with something i finished long ago. realize i've already started. it's already started. everything already started. just hop on. i'm already on.
lots of things help. for example, the Tao Te Ching quote you shared:
I’m torn because sometimes I tell myself I just need to suck it up and write, because I’ve only got a certain amount of time available to me in a day. But other times I just wish I could be sitting on a veranda in the Italian countryside with endless time and inspiration in front of me. I think I would operate better creatively in that scenario, but it’s a luxury few of us have. Most days I treat writing like going to the gym — I’m always resistant to it at first but once I do it I feel sooo much better!
A gentler approach definitely works for me. I loved your mood board; so many of the quotes resonated with me. A favourite was Ralph Emerson's.
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."
To get inspired or out of a rut I visit another part of my city which has a completely different vibe.
And, if I'm feeling brave I chat to strangers and sometimes get answers to my questions.
I'd like a mood board on "keeping humor alive in a very serious world"
oooooh man "keeping humor alive in a very serious world" is SUCH a good prompt! Just started my Sublime collection for it - stay tuned :)
dear alex,
i love this gentler approach to creative work. it is helpful!
to your question, "What helps you when creatively stuck?"
i love remembering this quote from W. Somerset Maugham:
“I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o'clock sharp.”
start somewhere. start anywhere. start by reading something. start by resting. start by telling a friend i love them. start where i was yesterday. start with something i finished long ago. realize i've already started. it's already started. everything already started. just hop on. i'm already on.
lots of things help. for example, the Tao Te Ching quote you shared:
“Do nothing, and everything gets done.”
thanks for all of this nothing and everything!
love
myq
thank YOU Myq as always