This process never ends, and is always relevant. I am defining and experiencing exactly that inflection point right now, and it’s a joy to hear you talk about it with such clarity. “You gotta breathe in as often as you breathe out!”
Yes, I find that this is also a practice. Resting, being still, taking time for new ideas to find us are things we often have to remind ourselves to do because the culture we live in is constantly telling us that we are wrong or bad or lazy to do them.
thank you, this is a big part of who I am as a artist, I am ofen asked how I can sit alone in a room with nothing but my thoughts and my answer is, I am painting
Wonderfully reassuring piece, Ms. Rabin. I am fortunate to have made a place conducive to being creative for my husband, an artist, and for me as a writer. For both of us, that means lots of visual stimulation and data: art, books, music, plants, objects, animals.
This reminds me of Madeleine Dore's I Didn't Do The Thing Today, a lovely book about letting go of productivity guilt. You've put it so beautifully here.
Having just entered a fallow period after literally years in a daily grind, my habit - conditioned to that grind- screams that I must be “doing” something. I made the conscious choice to leave that grind in order to reconnect to my creative life. To reconnect to that which I abandoned years ago in order to give those that I love so much that which I did not have in my experience. I am so grateful for this piece that reminds me that, in doing “nothing” I am, perhaps, doing some of the most important work I’ve done in years.
Yes! Doing "nothing" can reconnect you to what is most meaningful in your life. But after years of conditioning to be always productive, it will take your brain and your body a bit of time to acclimate to a new way of doing things, so be gentle with yourself in the process.
Every time I hear this song I think think of you. And it reminds me that it's ok to not always "Get up and at'em!" And "Show "em you're a tiger" or "They'll never take me alive!". This kind of conditioning from my childhood is still very strong, and I feel guilty when I haven't "accomplished " enough on a given day.
Thank you for this
❤️
This process never ends, and is always relevant. I am defining and experiencing exactly that inflection point right now, and it’s a joy to hear you talk about it with such clarity. “You gotta breathe in as often as you breathe out!”
Yes, I find that this is also a practice. Resting, being still, taking time for new ideas to find us are things we often have to remind ourselves to do because the culture we live in is constantly telling us that we are wrong or bad or lazy to do them.
Whatever you’re doing to make this happen for yourself, keep doing it! It’s obviously working.
thank you, this is a big part of who I am as a artist, I am ofen asked how I can sit alone in a room with nothing but my thoughts and my answer is, I am painting
It makes me so happy to hear this! I love thinking of you sitting alone, not touching a brush, but painting all the while.
Wonderfully reassuring piece, Ms. Rabin. I am fortunate to have made a place conducive to being creative for my husband, an artist, and for me as a writer. For both of us, that means lots of visual stimulation and data: art, books, music, plants, objects, animals.
It sounds like a creative oasis! I'm so happy that you both get to be surrounded by art and beauty and nature and animals.
Loved this post! Thank you!!
❤️
Amen!
This reminds me of Madeleine Dore's I Didn't Do The Thing Today, a lovely book about letting go of productivity guilt. You've put it so beautifully here.
Thank you so much for that book recommendation!
Having just entered a fallow period after literally years in a daily grind, my habit - conditioned to that grind- screams that I must be “doing” something. I made the conscious choice to leave that grind in order to reconnect to my creative life. To reconnect to that which I abandoned years ago in order to give those that I love so much that which I did not have in my experience. I am so grateful for this piece that reminds me that, in doing “nothing” I am, perhaps, doing some of the most important work I’ve done in years.
Yes! Doing "nothing" can reconnect you to what is most meaningful in your life. But after years of conditioning to be always productive, it will take your brain and your body a bit of time to acclimate to a new way of doing things, so be gentle with yourself in the process.
Another good reminder. Thank you.
If you don't have a song to sing, you're okay
You know how to get along, humming
Hmm, hmm, hmm
If you don't have a date, celebrate
Go out and sit on the lawn
And do nothing
'Cause it's just what you must do
Nobody does it anymore
No, I don't believe in the wasting of time
But I don't believe that I'm wasting mine
If you don't have a point to make, don't sweat it
You'll make a sharp one being so kind
And I'd sure appreciate it
Everyone else's goal's to get big headed
Why should I follow that beat being that I'm
Better than fine?
- Fiona Apple "Waltz"
Every time I hear this song I think think of you. And it reminds me that it's ok to not always "Get up and at'em!" And "Show "em you're a tiger" or "They'll never take me alive!". This kind of conditioning from my childhood is still very strong, and I feel guilty when I haven't "accomplished " enough on a given day.