The Best Creativity Hack
It’s June 16th, and for those following along in the cancer journey, today is my surgery. So while you may be curled up at home with an ice coffee, or catching up on my antics while you wait for a meeting to start, I am either A: anxiously driving to the hospital, B: very relaxed with whatever meds they give me pre-surgery, C: unconscious, or D: a different version of relaxed on post-surgery meds.
So send some good vibes my way this week. I’m hoping to feel human again pretty soon.
With the lead up to surgery, I’d been thinking a lot about how to connect to my creativity afterward without that deep longing feeling for something I miss or want for myself.
It’s something we all deal with, and I see it first-hand running a writers group. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve talked to people who deeply want to write a book, but are too afraid to come.
Sometimes creativity can feel like flying too close to the sun.
You want to be around the things that inspires you, but also that can make you feel inadequate. Like you can see more brightly how you haven’t been showing up for the thing you love.
The good news is all my pondering has found a solution to this. Something that requires zero effort, and leaves you inspired by others creativity.
Watch artistic competition shows for things you NEVER care to create.
We’re talking wild art forms that you have no interest in learning. The win is you get to see people do create things, with all of this passion, and still won’t want to get up off the couch.
It also helps reduce imposture syndrome. These shows are littered with artists at all different stages of life, with different backgrounds and experience levels, and yet they share a love for something. For me, it’s a great reminder that I am not “behind” in any way. My creative journey is my own.
And yes, sure, there is a risk that watching a creative competition show WILL encourage you to take the leap and start up a new passion. That’s certainly what nudged me deeper into pottery. But I think it’s worth the risk. Also, you are probably like me and happy to collect another creative hobby so . . . you’re welcome.
So for this musing I wanted to share with you a list of shows that might pique your creativity, while still letting you relax and relieving you of any guilt trip to create. Some I have seen, some are on my list of viewing while I recover. If you check any of these out, I’d love to hear about it.
A Cut Above: This is a collection of chainsaw artists from all over the world, carving stumps into insanely remarkable pieces. There are some characters on here, in the best kind of way. Also, I do not need a chain saw.
The Great Pottery Throwdown: Season one is an experimental phase, but it only gets better from there. The artists are all amateurs, and one host is literally brought to tears over the weight of a good pot OFTEN. Think British Bake Off, but for clay.
Speaking of British Bake Off, you cannot go wrong with any of these seasons, just be warned you will 100% have a craving for something sweet afterward.
Making It: This is one of my favorites, hosted by the remarkable duo of Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. It’s artists of all different types, in a barn filled with every crafting supply out there. And they get to take the brief in any direction! Pretty much it’s an artist’s dream.
Lego Masters: We just started this one with Ivy and it’s been a blast. Truly it’s wild what people can do with Lego. Also, one lady is running around without shoes on in season one, which feels risky in a Lego competition.
Blown Away: This is a glass blowing competition. It’s full of wild art and crashing glass. If I didn’t have such an aversion to standing in front of a 2300F “glory hole” furnace, I would consider this hobby. For now, I’m glad to live vicariously through these artists.
This is a piece by Cat Burns. I still think about it. Metal Shop Masters: This is on my TBR. It’s a group of metal artists welding insane creations. I’m imagining sweat, sparks and awe. Perfect for me because no one would or should trust me with a welder.
The Big Flower Flight: Another one on my TBR, all about making bold garden sculptures out of cut plants/flowers. I am a sucker for plants, and I have zero interest in making things like this. So it sounds perfect.
School of Chocolate: I don’t know if you’ve had the pleasure of watching Amary on Instagram (which yes, this is a rabbit hole you need to go down), but this competition is so fun. It’s remarkable what people can do with chocolate! Does it make you want to eat chocolate? Only a little bit.
Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge: People making monster puppets? Oh I’m intrigued. Also, I feel like there’s a chance to learn something for future Halloween costumes.
As you go through your week, make some space to enjoy creativity for the pure joy it can be. Nothing related to what you do or what you want to do. And if you start to dive into one of these shows, please email me so we can chat about it. You know I have opinions.
Keep on creating,
How my creativity looks this week: My daughter and I have been playing Minecraft together and it has been a blast. It’s so fun to have her teach me about something she is passionate about. Also we have so many pets now.
Where I’m seeing the muse: Book illustrations. Ivy and I are reading Harry Potter and just got the illustrated versions by Minalima Design. Truly the design elements used to bring these books to life are remarkable. If you are an HP fan, I highly recommend these books for your collection.
A Creative Reminder from The Page of Wands: The world is full of sparks of ideas. They fill the clouds and rain down on you. Each drop is full of infinite possibilities. It’s up to you to take them where you want them to go.
Thinking of you, and wishing you a speedy recovery! ❤️🩹 ✨
The Great British Bake Off is the best! We love watching it with my stepdaughter, Mia, and I swear we drool the entire time.