One of the worst things we can do to ourselves is thinking we’re not creative - or that we shouldn’t use our creativity in all areas of life, including work.
Great text, Tessa!
Even though we’re completely different and you don’t know me, I also write about this: not just dreaming of change (at work) but actually learning how to apply it.
It’s something I’ve learned by doing and it’s by reading texts like yours that we can keep on getting inspiration to continue. “The creative output is the point”
Yes indeed!
Found you through a note, stayed because of the way you write 😊
I love the story about your first creative workshop. what a beautiful introduction to one of your creative champions. i too have read the artist's way recently and my life has changed as well. it is a powerful book that unlocked the creative charge within me. beautifully written and said. i'm so happy i found your substack and thank you for sharing !
I saw your note on my feed, I clicked on your profile and on this particular post first, and I feel like I was meant to read it. I’ve been thinking about creative workshops and the life I want to live and I picked up the artists way for the second time just this morning and I’m also laterally reading a book by Maria Louise von franz. Aah!! I love when this happens. Lovely post ❤️
Sister lawyer here and convinced I didn't have a creative bone in my body. Couldn't draw, paint, sing, and poetry bored me to tears. Sure, I could write but it was technical and nonfiction. Somehow I landed in a group of very creative folks who gradually convinced me otherwise. Still can't draw, but I glue like a madwoman; I'm a collage artist, as it turns out.
It’s insane that the most creative people tend to shut that part down because we venture into more ‘practical work’. Only to experience some sort of divine intervention/spiritual awakening, the reignites the creative part of us. We wake up to only realize ‘I am a creative’
Not just 'the most creative' - i really believe we are all made abundantly creative! It's how we come to the world and then we become separated from that essence.
Creativity is our salvation! Great to hear about your journey and exploration. I’ve lived the way of artists for over 30 years now. Still searching for insight and inspiration wherever I can find it. Thank you for sharing your quest.
I also completed the artists way earlier this year. The solo artist date and writing down my finances are the two biggest takeaways for me but I loved all the other lessons including the one on the shadow artist.
Tremendous writing. Look forward to reading more of it! “Working for myself gives me the space to do all of those things, whether they bring fame and fortune isn’t the point. The creative output is the point.”
Very thought provoking and inspiring. I love the idea about displaced frustrations exhibited by people in “shadow careers.” It’s inspired me: every time I start to feel angry or negative or get focused on upsetting things, I will force myself to work on my creative projects instead. Even if I wrote or produce absolute crap, I will at least be channeling the energy more productively. Thank you for this.
The quote about “mountain out of a molehill, etc.” resonated with me. This sensation became a way of life for me until I began writing again later in my life. The writing is a way to express myself yet I still feel a need for a solid focus for my inner nudge. Thank you for sharing this with us. There is much to be said and contemplated for what you have written.
The Artist’s Way is a book I come back to for inspiration and gentle reminders regularly. Giving myself permission to acknowledge my creativity has been life changing. A tangled web of doubt that continues to unfold and expand. Thank you for sharing your journey and look forward to hearing more!
Thanks for parceling these tidbits out in this way. Great reminders! As a copywriter, I’m learning to appreciate the ‘creative-adjacent’ mode it puts me in. When I’m losing my damn mind writing app onboarding copy, I am consistently reminding myself to be thankful for the creative-adjacent muscle its working. Happy to find your writing today!
I especially liked the bit about the Shadow artist and needing of early encouragement.
I have so far dismissed reading The Artist's Way precisely because it's been very popular - and that usually signals that is is a sociall accepted "Me too" signalling than genuinely good stuff.
But this kinda makes me want to read the book!
And I would have preferred, you write on. The poem is one big paragraph, all text - somewhat irritating to read.
PS: Healing is a word co-opted by the modern world, don't you think, than vice-versa?
/Gosh, it is so irritating that I can't format replies on posts like I can on 'Notes'!
Lovely to read about your creative journey. For me, it was Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards that opened my eyes to the possibility of creativity - oh about 35 years ago. I've never looked back.
One of the worst things we can do to ourselves is thinking we’re not creative - or that we shouldn’t use our creativity in all areas of life, including work.
Great text, Tessa!
Even though we’re completely different and you don’t know me, I also write about this: not just dreaming of change (at work) but actually learning how to apply it.
It’s something I’ve learned by doing and it’s by reading texts like yours that we can keep on getting inspiration to continue. “The creative output is the point”
Yes indeed!
Found you through a note, stayed because of the way you write 😊
It's such a dangerous myth. We are all inherently creative <3
Always putting your heart out there lovey, I admire you, strong woman 🙏
😊🩷
I love the story about your first creative workshop. what a beautiful introduction to one of your creative champions. i too have read the artist's way recently and my life has changed as well. it is a powerful book that unlocked the creative charge within me. beautifully written and said. i'm so happy i found your substack and thank you for sharing !
I'm so happy you found it too! Now we're on the creative journey together :)
I saw your note on my feed, I clicked on your profile and on this particular post first, and I feel like I was meant to read it. I’ve been thinking about creative workshops and the life I want to live and I picked up the artists way for the second time just this morning and I’m also laterally reading a book by Maria Louise von franz. Aah!! I love when this happens. Lovely post ❤️
Ahhhhh the universe doing it's best work!!! love that
Sister lawyer here and convinced I didn't have a creative bone in my body. Couldn't draw, paint, sing, and poetry bored me to tears. Sure, I could write but it was technical and nonfiction. Somehow I landed in a group of very creative folks who gradually convinced me otherwise. Still can't draw, but I glue like a madwoman; I'm a collage artist, as it turns out.
LOVE THIS! A collage artist - who knew, right? keep creating x
It's become essential therapy! Especially now...
It’s insane that the most creative people tend to shut that part down because we venture into more ‘practical work’. Only to experience some sort of divine intervention/spiritual awakening, the reignites the creative part of us. We wake up to only realize ‘I am a creative’
Not just 'the most creative' - i really believe we are all made abundantly creative! It's how we come to the world and then we become separated from that essence.
Creativity is our salvation! Great to hear about your journey and exploration. I’ve lived the way of artists for over 30 years now. Still searching for insight and inspiration wherever I can find it. Thank you for sharing your quest.
It almost sounds melodramatic to call it our salvation but I truly believe it is!
Ahh yes, the Great Breakdown/Creative Awakening of 2021. Me too!! 🤣
The pandemic did a number on us!!
Truly!
I also completed the artists way earlier this year. The solo artist date and writing down my finances are the two biggest takeaways for me but I loved all the other lessons including the one on the shadow artist.
Tremendous writing. Look forward to reading more of it! “Working for myself gives me the space to do all of those things, whether they bring fame and fortune isn’t the point. The creative output is the point.”
Thank you Tara!
Very thought provoking and inspiring. I love the idea about displaced frustrations exhibited by people in “shadow careers.” It’s inspired me: every time I start to feel angry or negative or get focused on upsetting things, I will force myself to work on my creative projects instead. Even if I wrote or produce absolute crap, I will at least be channeling the energy more productively. Thank you for this.
Such a good call - I'm going to do the same. If I'm being an asshole – write!!
The quote about “mountain out of a molehill, etc.” resonated with me. This sensation became a way of life for me until I began writing again later in my life. The writing is a way to express myself yet I still feel a need for a solid focus for my inner nudge. Thank you for sharing this with us. There is much to be said and contemplated for what you have written.
yes, we all need an outlet. The hard part is finding the outlet that speaks to us and our unique skills and gifts <3
The Artist’s Way is a book I come back to for inspiration and gentle reminders regularly. Giving myself permission to acknowledge my creativity has been life changing. A tangled web of doubt that continues to unfold and expand. Thank you for sharing your journey and look forward to hearing more!
It's definitely not a 'one and done' kind of book – it seems like there's always new wisdom in there, no matter when you return to it! x
Thanks for parceling these tidbits out in this way. Great reminders! As a copywriter, I’m learning to appreciate the ‘creative-adjacent’ mode it puts me in. When I’m losing my damn mind writing app onboarding copy, I am consistently reminding myself to be thankful for the creative-adjacent muscle its working. Happy to find your writing today!
This really resonates with me, thanks so much for writing it
thank you for reading it!
Tessa,
That was a nice read.
I especially liked the bit about the Shadow artist and needing of early encouragement.
I have so far dismissed reading The Artist's Way precisely because it's been very popular - and that usually signals that is is a sociall accepted "Me too" signalling than genuinely good stuff.
But this kinda makes me want to read the book!
And I would have preferred, you write on. The poem is one big paragraph, all text - somewhat irritating to read.
PS: Healing is a word co-opted by the modern world, don't you think, than vice-versa?
/Gosh, it is so irritating that I can't format replies on posts like I can on 'Notes'!
Lovely to read about your creative journey. For me, it was Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards that opened my eyes to the possibility of creativity - oh about 35 years ago. I've never looked back.
Ooo I will check it out!
Just checked out your writing, Tessa. I am happy to subscribe and looking forward to reading more!