There is plenty of advice out there about whether artists should or should not show up when they don’t feel like it. On the one hand, I believe you can’t force creativity, but on the other hand, I believe creativity thrives within containers.
If I let myself create anything, I create nothing. If I restrict myself to creating one thing, I create nothing.
The key, for me, is finding a semblance of balance in the middle - a container in which I am met with boundaries to challenge my creativity into action but which is malleable enough to mould itself around unexpected hurdles.
This container - creating instead of spending time on screens - is the closest I have come to a balance. It creates:
rules - I must make something everyday
flexibility - it doesn’t matter what I make
The biggest hurdle I face is energy. If, like today, I have a full day of life stuff I struggle to ‘feel’ like creating anything. And so, because the only rule I have is to make ‘something’, I can revel in the ritual of showing up whilst allowing myself the room to create something small.
Today, I decided that small something would involve my typewriter. I ended up taking some of my favourite quotes from creatives that inspire me and typing them out. I collated them in my scrapbook so I can go back to this page when I need a little boost of creative energy from fellow creators.
My favourite quote I included is this from
:What’s your favourite quote about the creative process?
What did you create today?
If you want to share a picture of what you created today you’re welcome to drop it in our group chat!