"I'm not begging. I'm working."
A question for all you energy-challenged creatives out there? Do we consider our projects as playtime? A mere 'hobby'? Something to do to give our derailed lives some kind of meaning? Or do we view our creative endeavours as our 'work'?
Over the past week or so I've experienced some sort of a mindshift. Looking through my portfolios I can see that I've produced a body of work. I've been working on my next photo book. I have course-work assignments. I'm no expert on neuro-linguistic programming but I do believe that the words we use reflect a lot about our attitudes and how we see ourselves.
I realise that I'm a photographer, a designer, an editor and a publisher, and that these activities are my 'work'.
I won't bother doing the ME caveats/read the small print/your mileage may vary/blah blahs because we all know that stuff, but suffice to say, viewing what I create as my 'work' somehow feels different. I want to be better at what I do. I value what I do. And I expect others to value my time and skills with respect when they come asking for favours.
Perhaps I can credit Julia Cameron for this shift in attitude. At first, Walking In This World seemed like a watered down version of The Artist's Way. But it's not. There are chapters about establishing our territory and drawing boundaries. One particular article in the book called 'Energy Debts' is especially relevant to PWME as our energy is our scarcest resource. It's about investing our energies in meaningful activities rather than on people who take from us—in terms of our time, energy and skills—without paying us with the respect that we are due.
Perhaps I can credit Julia Cameron for this shift in attitude. At first, Walking In This World seemed like a watered down version of The Artist's Way. But it's not. There are chapters about establishing our territory and drawing boundaries. One particular article in the book called 'Energy Debts' is especially relevant to PWME as our energy is our scarcest resource. It's about investing our energies in meaningful activities rather than on people who take from us—in terms of our time, energy and skills—without paying us with the respect that we are due.
After reading this chapter, I took the decisive step of emailing someone to tell him that I was no longer available to sort out his computer woes. My time (and energy) is too precious and he was taking the piss somewhat. Julia Cameron described being treated by some people as being like a free download service and I understood exactly what she meant.
I can also give credit to Michael Nobbs' ebook, Sustainable Creativity, as well as the articles on his blog. There's a lot about harnessing our available energy to do our Important Work—yes, it's the W-word again! He also talks about rewarding ourselves and celebrating our achievements which I suppose is another way of acknowledging and respecting our 'work'.
So, I would say that, whatever we do—painting, poetry, sculpting,or even just a bit of creative thinking if that's all we can manage—it IS our work, regardless of how small the endeavour or infrequently we can do it.
6 comments:
It's a good question, Digi. I've always said that a Writer is someone who takes themselves and their writing seriously, and the same would apply to other creative endeavours. On the other hand I shy away from calling it work for the simple reason that I don't feel I do enough of it - for reasons you'll understand. But actually it is my work, as well as my (serious) play.
I'm inspired now to take another look at Walking in This World.
I think there are several very important strands to this post:
a) about taking oneself seriously in whatever capacity
b) about finding a passion and developing it .... so that 'The Illness' isnt the 'be all and end all'
c) sorting the wheat from the chaff and getting rid of whatever it is that hinders your ability to do what you want or need to do.
It all comes to different people in different ways and in a different order and, actually, I think these aspects often rise to the surface after someone has had a long time to come to terms with having to make a path through life that can be extraordinarily challenged.
I think one of your first important steps was making this blog a 'photo blog'...shows what your prime focus is...and its paying off because we can see you blossoming.
Signsie : why shouldn't you call it 'work' ? Millions of people work part-time. If you are tenacious, dedicated and keep returning to what's important to you (and all apply to you) then that sounds like work to me
You're right, Cusp - thanks.
I've just bought the Julia Cameron book on Kindle.
New year, new beginning. Innit.
Signs, I hope you get something out of WITW. I don't bother with the walking bit at all, it's just not feasible for me, but I do know what she's on about. I used to enjoy a good old stomp to de-stress myself in the good old days and I do recognise that walking can have a meditative quality. If you can do it, fine. If you can't, just take from the book what you need. That's what I do.
At first I thought WITW was just a re-tread of TAW but as I've been working through it, I realise it works in quite subtle but quietly powerful ways.
How are you finding the Kindle, by the way? I've thought about getting one but I don't know whether that's just the 'new toy' syndrome and I'd cast it aside after the novelty wears off.
Digi, I like the Kindle - there is something neat and sweet about it and it's fine to read. My main complaint is that I haven't been able to get a single book that I actually wanted - other than the Julia Cameron and How To Be Sick. So at the moment it serves as my 'self-help' repository.
I will always want books - to hold, leaf through, have on my shelves. But Kindle, if it can get its act together, is something I plan to carry on using.
I'm glad I bought WITW and don't mind the fact that some of it does re-iterate TAW. The things that irritated me about JC before still irritate (the Tasks so very much geared to fit and healthy people is one), though possibly less so. But mainly what I experience is that she does have things to say about creative process and the book feels like a supportive presence which I can do with. And it's got me doing Pages again.
Glad your enjoying WITW, Signs. I'm noticing more people reading their Kindles in cafes and places like that. I've thought about getting one and I've also considered the excessively spendy iPad but can't justify the expense. However I am beginning to think that I may treat myself to either an iPad from the Apple refurb store or a Kindle when I complete my course—although I do think the sensible thing would be to buy some gorgeous photo books printed on that quaint stuff called paper.
The wisdom of TAW & WITW is that it encourages us to see creativity as step-by-step process and not some dramatic, all-consuming maelstrom. Michael Nobbs favours the 20-minutes-a-day routine which addresses the restrictions of PWME and there are parallels with JC's teachings with a bit of pacing thrown in.
I think the best approach is to be flexible and adapt WITW to what you can do, physically or cognitively. My Morning Pages are often written in the afternoon.
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