chapter 16: look, I'm making something!
the necessity of constraint
Don’t you want to live a creative life?
I do.
But that wasn’t always the case.
Growing up, it felt like everyone was classifying themselves; finding their own little niches as all self-starting 11-year-olds do. Whether it was running the fastest, acing every test, or just being a horse girl, everyone was picking sides - crafting personas that I assumed would define the rest of their lives. As a child math prodigy (RIP), I thought my path was predetermined. Be smart, and that’s all you need to be!
Turns out that is wildly wrong, and you’re allowed to be many things. I’m creative! I’m inspired! I innovate!!
The only problem with that?
Without an art class or the rare creative work project, I’m not making anything. That’s why I started this newsletter, actually: to commit to creating something with some regularity. So far, I’ve not been very disciplined (clearly).
All my creative energy is just sitting idly - causing chaos!
This Youtube video was a rude awakening to my problem. It had such a big impact on me, and I think everyone should watch it. In fact, watch it now. I’ll wait!
But if you don’t watch it and want to pretend like you did, here’s the gist:
Perfectionism is keeping you from starting/finishing your creative projects
When you’re sitting idly with all your creative thoughts and not acting on them, it digs you further into the hole of inaction
You need to start small and implement constraints. Like: draw the same thing each day, or write a joke every day.
Without constraints, you’ll suffer more inaction and build up more creative angst
Less choice = more action. Constraints get things done!
Once you get out of your creative rut, you’ll be able to create more
And the cycle continues
But if you want to get out of your head and into ~the zone~, you have to have a goal that will inspire you to keep going. And a plan, of course.
Intuitive enough, right?
Well, it’s easier said than done. But I feel determined!
I want to live a life that inspires me. Whether I feel called to write or paint or sing or even make TikTok videos, I want to feel energized and excited by the things I do.
So I’m reinvigorating myself!
Time to get out of creative angst - and start just creating things again. Even if they’re garbage.
With that in mind, I’ll see you next week for chapter 16 😏
XOXO,
Madz