I taught two workshops at the Finders Keepers market this past weekend as a collab with the legends at The Windsor Workshop.
While numbers weren’t huge, the conversations we had definitely were, so I thought today would be a good day to share some collective wisdom.
Today’s Creative Urge is dedicated to the conversations you need to start having with yourself.
“Am I really feeling my feelings, or am I intellectualising?”
I’m guilty of this one mostly because my first urge is to understand and digest experience, not feel it.
When we talk about ‘intellectualising’, we’re referring to the way in which thoughts are using to avoid feelings. Aka, judo chopping those uncomfortable emotions when they arise, instead of letting them wash over you.
It’s a defence mechanism that many very smart people to unconsciously to protect their hearts (boy that rings true for moi).
Is this something you do? Can you spot it? I think it’s worth asking yourself the question and answering it on paper to find out.
“When was the last time I truly felt calm?”
Living in a world that’s hyper-focused on productivity can wear you down at times. But what’s the alternative? To do nothing?
NO – the opposite of that supercharged approach is cultivating a sense of calm in whatever you’re doing.
Calm doesn’t mean slow or quiet or boring, either. Calm means not showing intense or strong emotions – so if it helps, visualise the ocean on a clear, sunny day without any wind. Pretty chill, right?
Muse on the last time you had that sense of inner calm. What were you doing? Who were you with? And, most importantly, what can you do to bring it in to the present moment?
“Is nothing really happening or is it just that I’m not putting myself out there enough?”
This one may ruffle some feathers but you know I don’t do things by halves!
In the social media age where we’re connected to everything and everyone, it can be easy to think that posting all the time equals momentum.
Well friends, I’ve got some bad news – it doesn’t mean shit.
If things are moving at a pace that excites you, it may be because you’re not participating in the world (perhaps waiting for ‘that email’ to land in your inbox, or for ‘that person’ to arrive and give you the right opportunity).
Ask yourself, honestly, if you’re putting in the right kind of effort to get the word out there about what you really want to do. Are you pitching to multiple brands for collabs every week? Are you nurturing relationships with the people you support? Are you actively getting out (in person) to meet your industry?
Sitting at your laptop is great for doing work, but putting your ass where your heart wants to be (shoutout to artist Timothy Goodman for that nug) is a way to quantum leap your creative career.
Take yourself out of the daily grind and let the world surprise you
For one day, I dare you to release the routine, let the schedule go and simply go be part of something new.
An event, a workshop, a coworking space or even a library – you don’t have to drive every single thing in life… sometimes it’s more beneficial to let the world take the wheel for a bit.
Creatively yours,
Dr Maz xo
PS: I’ve revamped my creativity coaching offering. I want to walk alongside you as you ebb and flow, not chain you to a rock and watch you toil. Prices have changed and so to has the cadence (you’ll see what I mean if you click the link above). I want the second half of 2023 to be the most creative moment for you yet, so if your practice is spinning like the Mac rainbow wheel of death, please reach out!
PPS: This humble newsletter is about to turn one! I can hardly believe it. To celebrate, I’ll have a cheeky little surprise for you in the coming weeks. So keep your eyes peeled.