Week 13

Something I feel like I’ve been talking about lately is “self-imposed pressure”. I don’t even know if that is a term but I see so many creatives crumbling under a pressure that doesn’t actually exist. I’m not trying to minimize anyone’s experience - but often the pressure we feel as creatives isn’t based in reality. It is an invisible weight that feels like a ton of bricks.

The world of art and creativity is subjective. Creativity is not based in black and white thinking. Two plus two does not equal four in this space. While that is a beautiful reality because it means that creativity has no end - it’s also okay to admit that that reality also makes it hard. When you’re struggling to come up with an idea, it’s often not because there are no ideas left. More likely it’s because there are too many options to explore. How do you collect all of your thoughts into one cohesive idea? How do you actually creatively articulate the ideas floating in your head?

At this point, most of us have heard about analysis paralysis or the example that humans really stress out when given too many options. The more options there are, the harder it is to choose and we end up doing nothing. I think social media and online inspiration has sort of had the same effect on us. Photography and filmmaking used to be reserved to the few people who chose to intentionally pursue the career. Because of social media, it now feels like everyone is a photographer and videographer. One photograph used to be “art” and now that “art” feels lost amongst that sea of photographs out there.

I’m throwing out a lot of random thoughts but I want to circle back to the “self-imposed pressure”. In a world of abundance, it’s easy to feel like we “should” be at a different place than we are. We should be more productive, more creative, more original, more consistent, more unique…you name it. The weight of that is unbearable. Art takes time. Creativity has no rules. Living in that subjective world could bring absolute freedom of possibility but sometimes it has the opposite effect: overwhelm, confusion, and paralysis.

Today, I just want to encourage you to literally drop the weight. Take an inventory of your mind, consider what invisible pressure you might be carrying, and release that. If you’ve been feeling like you’re not creating enough - consider why you feel that way. Who is telling you that?

A humorously, counterintuitive pattern that is common in a lot of us is: we feel like we’re not getting something done “on time”, so we stress out about it, we procrastinate, we become paralyzed, and the project is delayed anyway. How much more peaceful would it be to release this invisible pressure of “on time”, be okay with something taking you longer than you wanted it to, and then put it out there when it’s ready. I’m talking about things like passion projects that don’t really have a set “deadline”. Operating without the invisible pressure is way better than the alternative of procrastination, paralysis, even further delay, and disappointment.

Thanks for reading my scattered thoughts. I hope at least one point resonated with you and helped you this week! :)

I was invited to be a guest on my past roommates’ podcast this week. I talk all about my creative process so I thought you guys would love to hear that conversation.

This week’s creative challenge:

FOR THOSE WHO MAKE IT TO THE BOTTOM OF MY EMAILS :)

Oh, also…since I’ve been sharing in my newsletter recently…I have another podcast episode out too.

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Have a great day!

Best, Jordyn

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