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Category: Inspiration
Not every day is inspirational and not every work is inspired
This month I’m participating in an artist residence program. It’s my first experience like this, and I’m surrounded by trees and beauty and very talented creative people. When I first arrived, I was intimidated. Listening to the other artists’ stories and experiences and seeing their work made me feel like the outsider. I never went to art school, I’m a social worker, I’ve been living in Nepal, I’m a writer.
Determined, I pushed past my insecurities to focus on my work. I came with a goal in mind: it doesn’t have to be amazing, it doesn’t even have to be good, but I want to leave here with a solid first draft.
Most days feel like slogging through a forest. I’ve had moments of brilliance and inspiration, but more days have been clouded in despair and frustration. I decided it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if I think it’s a good story or whether it IS a good story. My work is to simply show up, put in time, and keep going.
If you sit around waiting for moments of inspiration and creative spark, you might be waiting a long time. I want to tell you to fight through it. Fight through the urge and don’t sell yourself short. You deserve to create. No matter your background or experience, make something. Build something. Dream something.
(And if you need more encouragement, check out Liz Gilbert’s Big Magic.)
Keeping the flame alive
A student saw KEEP THE FLAME ALIVE on a movie poster and asked me, “What is flame and why does it need to be alive?” The movie was about a married couple inviting a stranger into their home to try to spice up their fizzling love life.
I described fire, from the moment you flick a match until the last wisps of smoke float away. “You know how happy you are when you get a new shirt?” I asked. He nodded enthusiastically. “But in time, the shirt gets old and you don’t like it as much?” More agreement. If you don’t take care of fire, it eventually burns out.
Not only fire. Energy, projects, teams, excitement, zest, flavor, curiosity. What’s new is exciting and mysterious. In time, mystique and interest become be replaced with comfort and familiarity. It’s up to you to decide which characteristics best serve you.
Relax, everything is going to be OK
If you knew everything would be OK, would you spend more time with your close friends? Take more time for yourself? Eat differently? Leave the office earlier?
If you knew the outcome would be OK, would you relax, ease up? Work harder?
How would your strategy change?
If everything was going to be OK, would you save more? Worry less? Sleep at night?
Of course there’s a chance it won’t be. If you’re doing work that’s risky and creative, you’re pushing edges. Emotions become linked with success and failure, and instability tests resolve.
Ease into it. You might surprise yourself by worrying less and making different choices. Change doesn’t happen overnight.
“It’s not my job.”
Taking responsibility inevitably sets you up, while watching from the sidelines gives you that head start should an anvil hit. There’s always the option to run.
When you step in to do a little more and claim ownership (no matter how small), the work becomes personal. This is where thoughtful decisions are made and jobs are performed with integrity.
“It’s not my job” is too big of a shortcut to take, especially if you’re hoping to get someplace else. Whether you’re looking for a raise, a promotion, a better position or a more flexible company, venture beyond the lines of your job description and look for ways to help your team succeed.
It might not be your job, but it’s definitely your reputation. How safe do you want to play?
If you’re in a funk (31 ways to destroy a bad mood)
- Go sit in a different room.
- Take 5 minutes to be quiet and still (turn off your phone, set an alarm if you must).
- Walk outside.
- Search for your favorite artist’s playlist on youtube.
- Invest in an essential oil you love. Two drops can do wonders.
- Write a list of 5 things you are thankful for in this moment.
- Treat yourself (massage, cupcake, small gift).
- Make a salad with ingredients you pick up from a farmers’ market.
- Play with an animal.
- Browse the shelves in your local bookstore.
- Go to/from your office using a new route, even if it takes longer.
- Listen to an interesting or inspiring podcast.
- Do yoga at home.
- Watch a movie at the theater.
- Send a message to a friend.
- Write yourself a letter.
- Place fresh cut flowers in your home.
- Step outside and listen for birds.
- Find shapes in clouds.
- Draw, paint, color, glue, build, hammer, stitch.
- Plant something.
- “Guilty pleasure.” Everyone has one; indulge yourself and don’t feel guilty about it.
- Write a new bucket list. List dreams that get you excited.
- Don’t do anything. Focus on your breathing. Yes, doing nothing is actually fine.
- Take a nap. Not getting enough sleep is proven to impact mental health.
- Dance. Doesn’t matter what you look like. Turn up your favorite tune, close the curtains and stomp it out.
- Burn regrets. Those decisions weighing you down? Write them out. You can sit with that paper for twenty minutes, then light a match to it.
- Stay off social media. Just. Don’t. Do. It. Go one day without logging online and see how you feel.
- Read. Return an old favorite or ask a friend for recommendations.
- Do one thing you’ve never done before. Doesn’t matter what it is — dance class, open mic, an online course. Try something different.
- Make plans. Big or small, a trip to another country or a lunch date, get something on the calendar that you can look forward to.