I love these posts! An opportunity to see the world through someone else’s eyes. They always make me stop and think deeply, like a little gift that arrives in my inbox each week. Thank you 😊
One thing I learned from working with graduate students was that so many of us, so often, can’t see how we have succeeded because we are focussed on the parts that didn’t work out as we imagined they would. I might read a student paper and be astonished by some ways of thinking that were brilliant and original, while the student thinks the whole paper is a failure. Often they would just need help in recognizing what parts are worth retaining and working on, and what can be left out. Another persons’s eyes can be so helpful, so we shouldn’t shy away from sharing our work in progress.
Also, I loved the link to the value of rituals. Partly because I focus so deeply on whatever I am engaged in, I’ve have always had trouble shifting gears, moving from one activity to another. This article helped me reflect on one ritual that does work for me. After cooking dinner and serving it at the dining table in the same room, I turn off all the bright kitchen lighting, light candles set in my mother’s silver candlesticks and sit down to eat with my partner. This ritual helps me shift from the bustle of cooking and turn to the pleasure of eating and my partner’s company.
I was just thinking about sharing work in progress this morning, and that that is something I would like to do more often. I also personally love to see unfinished work, like sketchbooks and notes. Sometimes it has more life in it than something finished.
And I have a very similar ritual! We light candles for dinner every night. It does help set the tone.
I taught for many years and my students, too, tended to focus on their perceived mistakes, weaknesses, and flaws. When I gave critiques, I always pointed out strengths. Even if they hadn't achieved the goal of the assignment, I showed them things that I thought were strong, beautiful, and good that would serve them well beyond the confines of the assignment and class. Also, this was a technique for a drawing class, but could well serve as a metaphor for life. When they'd made a drawing, I'd have them stand it up and walk a distance from it and then look at it. It usually looked better when they couldn't fixate on micro-flaws. Distance can give a positive perspective.
Unfortunately I don’t have a single phrase that helps me through failed attempts, but what I find helpful is remembering why I am taking part in a creative endeavor. Is it only for the end result, or is it for the process and journey along the way? I sometimes get too focused on the former when the latter is the true reason.
It's interesting that I am opposite of you in #1 and 2. I don't need the music or phone or anything to amuse me when I am outside walking. There is so much to see, smell, touch, and listen to. I feel totally at ease just enjoying my walks. But when it comes to eating, I have to have a book, magazine or TV to look at. I might it your way when it comes to food, if you will try a walk being plugged into nature. Thanks for your posts -- they are great!
I’ve always had very high (unreasonable!) standards for myself. I’ve finally come to acceptance in my heart, not just in my head, that I am human. I have just as much right to have foibles and to fail now and then as anyone else does. This message has been so freeing.
There is so much to comment on here, but first I want to say thank you for writing it. When I was organizing for clients, back in the day, I would always explain at the beginning that the process was circular, not linear. And I would keep reminding them of this throughout the process. It surprised me how hard this truth was to swallow for them and a lot of them never accepted it.
Today, this post reminded me of that time in my life. And I thought about all the writers I know who are now starring at the end of national novel writing month (NaNoWriMo) with a fist full of words on the page but not a novel. I will be sharing this post with them and I hope it will resonate with them as much as it did for me. Again, thank you.
I’m learning and the creative process will take me many, many places I did not know I would go or existed. What has this place shown to me? Why is it of value? What do I now know that was unexplored territory beforehand? How has this made me Smarter?
I too love your posts- so many of the thoughts you've shared through Seamwork re: mindfulness and creative energy have opened new doors for me.
On this thought about failed attempts, I just emailed my granddaughter who is working on a college submission letter and totally frustrated about how to gather her thoughts cohesively, my recommendation was to step back, take a breath and let new avenues sift to the top. I consider "failed attempts" just part of the learning process- mostly about myself!
I love these posts! An opportunity to see the world through someone else’s eyes. They always make me stop and think deeply, like a little gift that arrives in my inbox each week. Thank you 😊
That's really sweet, thank you Maralee.
One thing I learned from working with graduate students was that so many of us, so often, can’t see how we have succeeded because we are focussed on the parts that didn’t work out as we imagined they would. I might read a student paper and be astonished by some ways of thinking that were brilliant and original, while the student thinks the whole paper is a failure. Often they would just need help in recognizing what parts are worth retaining and working on, and what can be left out. Another persons’s eyes can be so helpful, so we shouldn’t shy away from sharing our work in progress.
Also, I loved the link to the value of rituals. Partly because I focus so deeply on whatever I am engaged in, I’ve have always had trouble shifting gears, moving from one activity to another. This article helped me reflect on one ritual that does work for me. After cooking dinner and serving it at the dining table in the same room, I turn off all the bright kitchen lighting, light candles set in my mother’s silver candlesticks and sit down to eat with my partner. This ritual helps me shift from the bustle of cooking and turn to the pleasure of eating and my partner’s company.
I was just thinking about sharing work in progress this morning, and that that is something I would like to do more often. I also personally love to see unfinished work, like sketchbooks and notes. Sometimes it has more life in it than something finished.
And I have a very similar ritual! We light candles for dinner every night. It does help set the tone.
I taught for many years and my students, too, tended to focus on their perceived mistakes, weaknesses, and flaws. When I gave critiques, I always pointed out strengths. Even if they hadn't achieved the goal of the assignment, I showed them things that I thought were strong, beautiful, and good that would serve them well beyond the confines of the assignment and class. Also, this was a technique for a drawing class, but could well serve as a metaphor for life. When they'd made a drawing, I'd have them stand it up and walk a distance from it and then look at it. It usually looked better when they couldn't fixate on micro-flaws. Distance can give a positive perspective.
Unfortunately I don’t have a single phrase that helps me through failed attempts, but what I find helpful is remembering why I am taking part in a creative endeavor. Is it only for the end result, or is it for the process and journey along the way? I sometimes get too focused on the former when the latter is the true reason.
Absolutely, Alex. I think we have been conditioned that way, which is part of what makes creative acts so healthy. They de-program us, in a way.
Cheryl
It's interesting that I am opposite of you in #1 and 2. I don't need the music or phone or anything to amuse me when I am outside walking. There is so much to see, smell, touch, and listen to. I feel totally at ease just enjoying my walks. But when it comes to eating, I have to have a book, magazine or TV to look at. I might it your way when it comes to food, if you will try a walk being plugged into nature. Thanks for your posts -- they are great!
I, too, love your newsletters, Sarai.
I’ve always had very high (unreasonable!) standards for myself. I’ve finally come to acceptance in my heart, not just in my head, that I am human. I have just as much right to have foibles and to fail now and then as anyone else does. This message has been so freeing.
Oh, I love that idea of acceptance in your heart and not just in your head. That is something I am working on.
There is so much to comment on here, but first I want to say thank you for writing it. When I was organizing for clients, back in the day, I would always explain at the beginning that the process was circular, not linear. And I would keep reminding them of this throughout the process. It surprised me how hard this truth was to swallow for them and a lot of them never accepted it.
Today, this post reminded me of that time in my life. And I thought about all the writers I know who are now starring at the end of national novel writing month (NaNoWriMo) with a fist full of words on the page but not a novel. I will be sharing this post with them and I hope it will resonate with them as much as it did for me. Again, thank you.
There is so much internal resistance to the non-linear, even if you understand it in theory.
I’m learning and the creative process will take me many, many places I did not know I would go or existed. What has this place shown to me? Why is it of value? What do I now know that was unexplored territory beforehand? How has this made me Smarter?
I love that you answer yourself with these questions! What a great way to keep going and processing your experience.
I too love your posts- so many of the thoughts you've shared through Seamwork re: mindfulness and creative energy have opened new doors for me.
On this thought about failed attempts, I just emailed my granddaughter who is working on a college submission letter and totally frustrated about how to gather her thoughts cohesively, my recommendation was to step back, take a breath and let new avenues sift to the top. I consider "failed attempts" just part of the learning process- mostly about myself!
Great advice for your granddaughter. If she's anything like me, the solution will come to her out of nowhere, probably while in the shower. :)