I was rummaging through my journals the other day and came across a list which I wrote a while back. At the time, I was feeling particularly stuck, which led to downward spiral of negative internal blah blah. So, I wrote these 18 points to myself, and now want to thank Clare of 2023 for keeping going.
Creating independently, while intrinsically rewarding is a challenging, often bizarre pursuit. We are the breadwinners, deadline setters, newsletter writers, chief beverage-of-choice makers, business planners, client liaisons, account managers, researchers, cheerleaders. As an independent writer/ artist/ mentor/ facilitator/ educator, I’ve had to keep fingers in so many pies I don’t have enough fingers. It’s a sure-set acceleration path for having to acquire a complex skillset fast, but it’s also the terrain of self-doubt, burnout and incredible sticky fingers. That said, the pies are so often delicious. Plus, below them, there is a river of ‘why’ flowing, which in some cases can be called purpose, or meaning, or values or callings, but increasingly for me it’s called mystery. Below it all, below the internal chatter and the external pings of demands, there is the pursuit of something I still don’t quite understand, and hope I never will. What I do know, it’s the most wonderful thing: to write, to create, to bring to form something from the imagination, to build, to grow, to continue. And, when I inevitably wobble, I’ll have this list as guardrail.
Clare of 2025 hopes you may find the list useful too…
(For paid members, I’ve a little ‘behind the scenes’ surprise bonus of you at the end of the post. There is also a list of upcoming dates and happenings)
Clare. x
These are things I want to remember about the creative process for times when I’m feeling stuck, blocked, uninspired, small, unclear…
1. Creativity is like lifeblood. It’s always flowing in some form, even when I can’t see it or recognise it as such.
2. Remember, I create because it is something which brings me most alive and alert to the hidden undercurrents of connection, ideas and relationship. It brings meaning to the ordinary and renders the ordinary extraordinary.
3. The beginning is the hardest part. Make the beginning easy.
4. Book ‘creative meetings’ in my calendar. These are blocks of unmovable time. Even if I don’t write/ paint/ make immediately, still show up. Something always gets impatient and shows up.
5. If one tool feels blocked, use another. If I can’t write, then paint/ doodle/ draw. If I can’t do those, dance. If not that, then move. Move in whatever way feels good and nourishing.
6. Remember, my job is not to do ‘good’ work. My job is to make the best work which only I can make. Whether it is ‘good’ or not in the eyes of others is not my business. What matters is that I show up, seek to do my best, and then do that again and again and again.
7. Trust the wild imaginings. Trust the voices. Trust how characters tip me on the shoulder and say, ‘I’m here now’. It’s the madness which makes it distinctive.
8. Remember, creativity is a co-creative experience between myself and the source of lifeforce/ creative energy. It’s a dialogue between my own alertness and response.
9. Make your creative work a love letter to your deeper self. Keep writing, the love story isn’t over yet.
10. I am never going to get ‘there’. That’s the point. ‘There’ is an aspiration to keep me learning, growing, changing, exploring. ‘There’ will always move, depending on my proximity to it. ‘May I remain proximal’ is a better destination.
11. Poetry is a place were you will figure out the silences. Listen. Then listen to the silence below the silence, and write from there.
12. If I haven’t reached the chaos, it’s likely that I haven’t gone deep enough. Chaos is an indicator of the wild life within a project. There are tools to carry you through. Use them.
13. Every book, poem, photo has an original essence. The craft is to reveal that essence in as light and beautiful a way as possible. There will be many attempts to get there, and each draft can bring you closer. But mostly the essence keeps some of itself hidden- that is the mystery, which is also the beauty. Keep going.
14. You don’t write stories or poems, you walk into them. Your job is to be ready to hear them, anyplace, anytime. Then the craft begins.
15. Photography is ‘drawing with light’. In the balancing act of light and dark, what gets exposed is a matter of choice, and craft. Light is an instrument of revelation and restraint. As with photos, so with words.
16. Time is not linear. What happens in flow can defy natural order. Sometimes you only need a few minutes for your best work to done. You always have five minutes.
17. When in doubt swim. When still in doubt walk. If all else fails, just keep showing up at the blank page. It too is an ocean. Keep swimming.
18. Nothing will ever be fully finished. At some point you need to decide to stop so new work can come in. Be wiling to give it to the world, knowing there is more to come.
And there is more to come! Lots more here on The Wild Edge, and beyond.
Upcoming on The Wild Edge.
Lots happening over the summer months to keep your creative juices flowing, with poetry, Summer Solstice celebrations and our very own Wild Edge summer camp, ‘Focus and Flow’. Members, you’ll find all dates and links in the notice board.
Times are in Irish/UK time. You can check your timezone here.
Owl Hours: Creative Practice Circles
Get into rhythm and build momentum with your creative ideas, together. These hours are a chance to focus intentionally, with others as support.
Dates: 5th, 12th, 18th
Time: 8-9pm Irish/UK Time.
Poetry Salon: Sunday June 8th
Our next Poetry Salon on The Wild Edge is this coming Sunday 8th June, 6-7pm Irish/UK time. This is an hour of reading poetry together and sharing reflections. Participants have called it ‘a spa for the mind’ and ‘a sanctuary in turbulent times’. Open to all paid members.
Summer Solstice Salon: Friday 20th June
And the next seasonal salon following the Celtic Calendar is on June 20th (7-8.30pm Irish/Uk time) for Summer Solstice. This will blend poems with writing prompts and seasonal creative ritual, and a beautifully powerful way to make the turning of the year. Tickets included in ‘Gold/ Founding’ membership of The Wild Edge, or otherwise sold here. Yes, do come!
Our Wild Edge ‘Summer Camp’ = Focus and Flow, July 14-18.
Think summer camp vibes meets design sprint.
Daily writing sessions, intention setting, an ideas to action cafe, story time, and a special work in progress salon.
More details coming next week… but for now, save the dates :)
Below, a special surprise ‘behind the scenes’ creative boost bonus for paid members. I hope you enjoy.
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