For me, it’s indecision. I feel pulled in so many directions, wanting to do it all, but I can’t choose between them. So I end up doing nothing. My thoughts can be exhausting.
I feel this a lot. It seems to happen on weekends when I have the time and space to work on my creative projects, but then I'm distracted by everything else I could or should be doing. As Kerani mentioned, I find the trick is to pick the one project I feel most aligned with and work on that. Also, scheduling the night before in a planner seems to help.
Oh man - the paradox of finally having time to create and then feeling distracted/uninspired in the moment is so tough. I find that if I try to force creativity in these moments it never works out how I want it too. Almost better to give myself the space to breathe and do something else, and see if that sparks creativity than trying to force it
I've just experienced this very thing this morning, Kerani. It's so frustrating! Instead of forcing the words I switched to drawing instead...the next thing I knew the words were bubbling up like a river!
Yes! I've been thinking a lot lately about how making art into a To Do list kills the joy in it. I'm a chronic list-maker, because I never feel like I have enough time to create. In the past, I've made everything into a project with lists and goals to try and carve out time to 'get it done'. But I'm learning that this makes it feel less enjoyable in the moment, and I actually enjoy it more if I allow myself the gift of unstructured creative time to just see what inspires me in the moment.
Agreed. I’ve had to accept that I’m not going to be able get to all the ideas I have in my head, and to focus on the ones that make me feel excited in that moment.
Comparison indeed. I struggle in a similar river, with countless imagined futures and pasts rushing through and by me. I often forget the things I have done in the overwhelming inundation of pseudo realities.
Comparison is the one I'm struggling with most, at the moment. I know it comes from scrolling my phone without mindfully posting or interacting...but it's a hard habit to break. Or I think I've broken it and then find myself in that dark, cold river again.
"Attaching too much importance to writing." This one hits home so much. I've often found myself putting pressure on myself to write, in an attempt to prove that I'm 'serious' about it. Lately though, I've also been focused more on the feelings that inspire writing, and waiting for those to appear and spur me forward rather than forcing things.
I can relate. I missed out on a lot of moments because of the pressure I put on myself to finish a novel. It became a dreaded weight around my neck rather than something I wrote for the joy of creativity. And I find that the more I focus on the feelings the easier writing becomes!
Yea definitely! It’s amazing how pressure can constrict creativity. I find that sometimes structure and deadline help me, but only if they’re for a specific, attainable project where I have a clear path forward and an end date on sight. When I put pressure on myself to write just because “I’m a writer, I should be writing” I always end up disliking it.
This letter really hit home for me. I've been working hard this week, and that's when I am most vulnerable to nearly everything on this list. I think it's time for me to breathe some fresh air and get some sunshine on my face today...a nice long walk will be my number one priority!
For me, it’s indecision. I feel pulled in so many directions, wanting to do it all, but I can’t choose between them. So I end up doing nothing. My thoughts can be exhausting.
I feel this a lot. It seems to happen on weekends when I have the time and space to work on my creative projects, but then I'm distracted by everything else I could or should be doing. As Kerani mentioned, I find the trick is to pick the one project I feel most aligned with and work on that. Also, scheduling the night before in a planner seems to help.
Oh man - the paradox of finally having time to create and then feeling distracted/uninspired in the moment is so tough. I find that if I try to force creativity in these moments it never works out how I want it too. Almost better to give myself the space to breathe and do something else, and see if that sparks creativity than trying to force it
I've just experienced this very thing this morning, Kerani. It's so frustrating! Instead of forcing the words I switched to drawing instead...the next thing I knew the words were bubbling up like a river!
Yes! I've been thinking a lot lately about how making art into a To Do list kills the joy in it. I'm a chronic list-maker, because I never feel like I have enough time to create. In the past, I've made everything into a project with lists and goals to try and carve out time to 'get it done'. But I'm learning that this makes it feel less enjoyable in the moment, and I actually enjoy it more if I allow myself the gift of unstructured creative time to just see what inspires me in the moment.
Agreed. I’ve had to accept that I’m not going to be able get to all the ideas I have in my head, and to focus on the ones that make me feel excited in that moment.
I struggle with this so much too. I listen to music or watch movies just to give me relief from my thoughts for a while.
Comparison indeed. I struggle in a similar river, with countless imagined futures and pasts rushing through and by me. I often forget the things I have done in the overwhelming inundation of pseudo realities.
Comparison is the one I'm struggling with most, at the moment. I know it comes from scrolling my phone without mindfully posting or interacting...but it's a hard habit to break. Or I think I've broken it and then find myself in that dark, cold river again.
"Attaching too much importance to writing." This one hits home so much. I've often found myself putting pressure on myself to write, in an attempt to prove that I'm 'serious' about it. Lately though, I've also been focused more on the feelings that inspire writing, and waiting for those to appear and spur me forward rather than forcing things.
I can relate. I missed out on a lot of moments because of the pressure I put on myself to finish a novel. It became a dreaded weight around my neck rather than something I wrote for the joy of creativity. And I find that the more I focus on the feelings the easier writing becomes!
Yea definitely! It’s amazing how pressure can constrict creativity. I find that sometimes structure and deadline help me, but only if they’re for a specific, attainable project where I have a clear path forward and an end date on sight. When I put pressure on myself to write just because “I’m a writer, I should be writing” I always end up disliking it.
Oh, I've felt this! I think my creativity is organic at heart and rebels at being turned into an item on a to-do list.
This letter really hit home for me. I've been working hard this week, and that's when I am most vulnerable to nearly everything on this list. I think it's time for me to breathe some fresh air and get some sunshine on my face today...a nice long walk will be my number one priority!
I never regret time spent in nature. It somehow helps me see what's truly important and what I can discard. Hope you enjoyed your walk!
Thank you!!! I did.
I absolutely adore this post❤️ All of it resonates
I'm so glad you can relate Katie! I'm looking forward to writing next week's list, which will be the positive flip side to the above.
Hustle of modern life" is an awesome and spot on description. Love it
Hustle feels so draining! It can be hard to reject but worth it for peace of mind.
They probably all resonate with me and I'd guess most people. The words "Vampiric