The creative battery
One thing I took from Australia was the aboriginal notion that one is born with a finite amount of energy. A spiritual idea, but if you think of mitochondria production and cell replication, it is probably true on a physiological level as well.
I am becoming aware that with as much creative energy as I have, I cannot be “on” at all times. I have a battery. It drains, goes dead. It must recharge.
Things that charge my creative battery: Travel, time off to knock around, introspection, yoga, exercise, breaking out of my comfort zone, nature, alone time, reading, watching TED videos, getting to help someone solve a problem in a new way
Things that drain my creative battery: Taking on too much work, stress, not meeting clients’ expectations and feeling bad about it, endless routine, fear that I will never “find my place”
What charges and depletes you?
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:44 am
Charge: When things work out in writing, all the characters gel with story and vice-versa. I dance around the room with loud music when that happens. Surfing, I am fully buzzed. Surfing I find a perpetual motion machine for energy.
Drain: When you are leading a battle, all your co-workers are all there behind you going RAH! RAH! RAH! so you charge up the hill with your sword, face the enemy, of which there are now thousands standing in front of you, but you are Unafraid because right behind you..
Huh? Where have they all gone?
Now that is what I find draining. My shoulders slump, I put my sword down, drop my helmet and shield, and bow my head.
May 25th, 2010 at 6:50 am
charge: when the bills are paid and my missus is happy, the kids are fed. also, just being in charge, charges my creative juices.
also surfing, swimming and sex.
drain/; tax affairs and accountancy and the need for all that… being poor (when i am poor), and the never ending idiocy of governmental officers and representatives.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:26 am
Spark: getting up early before the rest of the world is even rubbing its eyes, starting a new project, when a character on the page speaks the words for you, a change in the season.
Dampner: Having conversations that miss the point, (my) anger, frustration at not being able to touch my toes, (other peoples) unfulfilled promises.
May 26th, 2010 at 6:01 am
Seriously, what drains us? It’s insipid blogs like these? Almost every post mentions 3 things; you’re married (didn’t turn out to be a spinster like you told everyone because you enjoy being alone), high school (you turned out to be a success, working for your college non-profit — so noble, so humble), and that you travel the world. stop trying to prove to everyone — whatever it is that you’re trying to prove. Yes! You tured out to be the smartest kid in the retard class (stolen quote). Get over it. Nobody cares.
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May 26th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Charge- sleeping, thinking, reading, dancing like an idiot, making funny noises, making people laugh and smile, smoking a satisfying cigarette when that’s all you want, working with a bunch of people that make you feel like you are doing something special, and the sound of rain on the window when you are curled up on the couch with a good book.
Drain- stress (the bad kind, not the motivating kind), manipulative people, when things just wont go right, that feeling when your shoes are too tight, being away from the people I love, working a meaningless and thankless job, and hayfever.
May 31st, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Megan/Kristi, it’s a little weird that you spend so much time tracking my life using your employer’s computer. I suppose you think you’re intimidating?
June 11th, 2010 at 7:48 am
Charge: A Smile
Drain: Inequality