Love this article: so many similarities! Well done for adding in not one but two habits. Where in France do you live? Lived in France Italy and Austria but love English too much.
I'm glad my words resonate Barbara, thank you for letting me know. I think most creatives experience the same challenges. I live 45 minutes north of Limoges. I love English too, and I'm lucky that there's a large English-speaking community in this area.
Oh perfectionism, I know you. I like to think it’s a sign of self-respect. We know we’re capable of so much and we want only to demonstrate our best at all times.
But who are we trying to be perfect for?
Truth be told, no one notices us nearly as much as they notice themselves.
That’s the nature of the world. Everyone is self-centred. They don’t care. And if they do, we probably won’t sway them. Either we're perfect in their eyes and nothing we mess up will change that, or we’re imperfect and nothing we master will change it.
Perfection is definitely overrated, and more importantly, it does not exist! Good choice of mantra. I agree that our need for perfection goes back to the need to be accepted and loved. Mine comes from childhood, and even though rationally I totally get that I don't need to be perfect and I'm enough as I am, when it comes to creativity - and much more - my subconscious still uses perfectionism to keep me safe...It's a constant challenge, but it can be done, with patience and love.
The difference between talents and gifts is interesting. I’ve also experienced the dead hand of perfectionism on my creativity, it’s a sneaky one, as is the link with play. I do my Freeform writing before I get up and before my morning cuppa, there’s something inherently creative about writing while in the space between sleeping and waking- capturing thoughts and ideas before they evaporate like the waking dream.
I think many creatives have to deal with perfectionism at some stage.
I agree, writing soon after waking up can help capture ideas and thoughts, and I also find it easier to bypass the self-editing, simply because I'm not properly awake yet.
I hear you Cristina. I too am a perfectionist and a rebel. I'm so glad that play is on your horizon. I bought Keri's book many moons ago for one of my kids and we did it together - so much fun. The observation between talents and gifts touched something in me - I'll ponder on that. Your Monday eve creative play meet ups sound lovely. I've done this in the past but not lately. Take care. x
The distinction between talents and gifts is thought-provoking isn't it, I'm still reflecting on it. Glad to hear Keri's book was fun, how lovely to do it with your kid. Isn't it funny how we bought found it, at different stages of our life? We definitely have something in common Jane :)
An interesting post - the difference between 'talents and gifts' is food for thought. I hope your new habits are helping you to reconnect with your creativity. Have a great week, Cristina! :)
Thank you! Writing first thing in the morning is definitely helping me a lot, and the creative sessions too. Now I need to get into the habit of playing with the Keri's book, and see where that takes me. You have a great week too Natasha :)
One of the most successful things I've done in my life is to embrace making small changes. A number of years ago I read a book that was about doing one thing different. These things have had a profound positive effect on my life. When you write about playing like a child you reminded me of how I used to love blowing bubbles. All it takes is dish washing soap and a straw. I may try it today.
I too read a book about small changes, they're indeed very powerful - a small change can have a massive impact on life. I too love soap bubbles! I find them uplifting and a bit magical.
A couple of weeks ago I found them in the toy section of a local supermarket, and got one - it's already time to refill the container with water and soap. And my kitten loves chasing soap bubbles, and that brings me joy too.
I read this and your December post this evening you described so eloquently very similar thoughts to my own. The love of holiday anticipation and wonder and the current struggle with creative flow even your description of waking up early sounds like my story. thank you for sharing.
Love this article: so many similarities! Well done for adding in not one but two habits. Where in France do you live? Lived in France Italy and Austria but love English too much.
I'm glad my words resonate Barbara, thank you for letting me know. I think most creatives experience the same challenges. I live 45 minutes north of Limoges. I love English too, and I'm lucky that there's a large English-speaking community in this area.
Oh perfectionism, I know you. I like to think it’s a sign of self-respect. We know we’re capable of so much and we want only to demonstrate our best at all times.
But who are we trying to be perfect for?
Truth be told, no one notices us nearly as much as they notice themselves.
That’s the nature of the world. Everyone is self-centred. They don’t care. And if they do, we probably won’t sway them. Either we're perfect in their eyes and nothing we mess up will change that, or we’re imperfect and nothing we master will change it.
Perfect is overrated. To repeat as a mantra!
Perfection is definitely overrated, and more importantly, it does not exist! Good choice of mantra. I agree that our need for perfection goes back to the need to be accepted and loved. Mine comes from childhood, and even though rationally I totally get that I don't need to be perfect and I'm enough as I am, when it comes to creativity - and much more - my subconscious still uses perfectionism to keep me safe...It's a constant challenge, but it can be done, with patience and love.
The difference between talents and gifts is interesting. I’ve also experienced the dead hand of perfectionism on my creativity, it’s a sneaky one, as is the link with play. I do my Freeform writing before I get up and before my morning cuppa, there’s something inherently creative about writing while in the space between sleeping and waking- capturing thoughts and ideas before they evaporate like the waking dream.
I think many creatives have to deal with perfectionism at some stage.
I agree, writing soon after waking up can help capture ideas and thoughts, and I also find it easier to bypass the self-editing, simply because I'm not properly awake yet.
I hear you Cristina. I too am a perfectionist and a rebel. I'm so glad that play is on your horizon. I bought Keri's book many moons ago for one of my kids and we did it together - so much fun. The observation between talents and gifts touched something in me - I'll ponder on that. Your Monday eve creative play meet ups sound lovely. I've done this in the past but not lately. Take care. x
The distinction between talents and gifts is thought-provoking isn't it, I'm still reflecting on it. Glad to hear Keri's book was fun, how lovely to do it with your kid. Isn't it funny how we bought found it, at different stages of our life? We definitely have something in common Jane :)
Yes, we definitely do, Cristina. Jane x
An interesting post - the difference between 'talents and gifts' is food for thought. I hope your new habits are helping you to reconnect with your creativity. Have a great week, Cristina! :)
Thank you! Writing first thing in the morning is definitely helping me a lot, and the creative sessions too. Now I need to get into the habit of playing with the Keri's book, and see where that takes me. You have a great week too Natasha :)
One of the most successful things I've done in my life is to embrace making small changes. A number of years ago I read a book that was about doing one thing different. These things have had a profound positive effect on my life. When you write about playing like a child you reminded me of how I used to love blowing bubbles. All it takes is dish washing soap and a straw. I may try it today.
I too read a book about small changes, they're indeed very powerful - a small change can have a massive impact on life. I too love soap bubbles! I find them uplifting and a bit magical.
A couple of weeks ago I found them in the toy section of a local supermarket, and got one - it's already time to refill the container with water and soap. And my kitten loves chasing soap bubbles, and that brings me joy too.
I read this and your December post this evening you described so eloquently very similar thoughts to my own. The love of holiday anticipation and wonder and the current struggle with creative flow even your description of waking up early sounds like my story. thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading Holly, and for your kind words - I’m glad to hear my words resonate with you 🙏🏻