on creativity & play

what if you don’t have to be good at something?

“If you are leaning into uncertainty, you are going in the right direction.” —Kimberley Quinlan in The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD

I am kindred spirits with lots of Type A personalities¹: we who have survived— thinking we were thriving—chasing gold stars. Our focus, dedication, and discipline helped us reach (false) goals, and we worship at the altar of perfectionism.

But I’m starting to wonder if what keeps us safe also keeps us from growing.

Because it’s hard to learn something new without first knowing nothing. Becky Kennedy calls this uncomfortable place (i.e., between Not Knowing and Knowing) “The Learning Zone.”

I am currently in The Learning Zone ::groan:: with my visual art. In recent months, I’ve felt compelled to create a large body of work. But when I sit down to practice, I often tense up because of the internal pressure to produce something “good.”

Which is a sure-fire way to create bad art.

So now I’m trying to notice the kind of self-talk that sounds like, “I’m not very good,” or “This is going to turn out terribly,” and gently redirecting myself instead with: “Right now we are practicing making bad art.”

I can be hesitant to “play” because it seems irresponsible. But when I invite myself to “make a bad drawing,” I can loosen up, knowing it’s an assignment I can’t fail at.²

It’s like reverse-psychologizing my inner child.

If you are the type of person who is held back from doing things because you’re afraid you won’t be good at it—or if phrases like “trust the process” make you want to gag—this video is going to inspire and transform you. It’s like a sermon for artists.

The first section (2:11-7:40) is relevant even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, visual or otherwise. The call to loosen up reminds me of Billy Collins’ “Introduction to Poetry”, which also makes me wonder if playfulness and curiosity are decidedly feminine traits in a Western, masculine, capitalistic society. Is play a countercultural pursuit?

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🎧 More resources to challenge/encourage you to play

I keep seeing play / creativity / exploration / dabbling everywhere, which makes me feel like I’m headed in the right direction. I hope the following listens help jumpstart your playful creativity in the ways they have mine.

1. Andy J. Pizza on creativity for neurodivergent people. ⤵️

Andy gets ADHD and creativity, and the way us ND people spin ourselves in circles. Great thoughts on motivation, etc. One of my favorite takeaways is when he talks about sawdust (16:36).

2. Stacie Martinez sought out rejections and tells about it here. ⤵️

Creative Courage

3. Another Andy J. Pizza on habit development for neurodivergent people. ⤵️

Super helpful if you struggle with not feeling like doing the thing you want to do.

4. “Blessed Be the Inconsistent”: A poem/blessing by Aly Prades ⤵️

My friend Aly wrote this breathtaking poem for the neurodivergent and/or chronically ill. Our efforts are holy; they too are blessed.

Here is a clip of Aly reading her poem:

You can also read the full post here.

5. Jon Acuff on distractions, perfectionism, entrepreneurship, etc. ⤵️

I was definitely convicted by the reference to the parable of the (buried) talents. Lots of great practical tips and it’s just a great pep talk all around.

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“One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.”

―André Gide

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A few good memes

1. I heard someone today call it “Type A+” people. 😂

2. Apparently we can end sentences with prepositions now? Is this a thing or was that fake news?