“There is room for skepticism in the creative process. It’s a form of discernment, which is necessary and valued. Cynicism, however, collapses the mantle of possibility upon which creativity sits. It is death to the quest to make something from nothing.” — 💥🔥🔥
I started walking everyday after a physical and emotional breakdown that practically immobilized me. I promised myself that I would never take my mobility or emotional wellbeing for granted. I had to cross the threshold of my condo at least once a day no matter how far I went. When my Dad died at the beginning of the pandemic, I started to take photos of flowers on my daily walks, as he was a gardener. My daily walks and photos have become one of the highlights of every day ... and my photos have become a lovely creative outlet! A daily walk shifts my mood for the better without fail everytime.
Sent from my Bell Samsung device over Canada's largest network.
I so often forget that you’re in Boulder - I’m down south in Trinidad. I often find myself trekking through the mountains and am much better for it, on every level.
Love this piece - thank you. It is an area I have read widely on and live by. I am a physiotherapist and often shared the mantra - 'our best position is our next position' when asked what 'the best' thing was whether that be sitting at a desk, car or lying in bed! Modern life and the '9 to 5' steals from us the power of movement - whatever that looks like for us. It resides in the realms of 'if only I had time' and a luxury.
Years ago, (1990s, when it was still early-stage) I was fortunate to cross paths with an early practitioner of functional medicine--ie lifestyle over drugs--when I was in a very high stress situation that had me losing my hair by the fistfuls. A plant-forward, anti-inflammatory diet, along with walking--and 'heavier' exercise--have saved me from depression, back pain, creative blocks-and a host of other things.(And I also believe it will help me increase "health span" versus "lifespan." ) When I don't get out there and do the physical work--it shows up in my brain capacity, my creativity and my mood. THANK YOU for shining the light on this critically important modality.
100% agree Jonathon! My exercise of choice is a daily yoga class as soon as I wake up, around 30-45 minutes, and at least a 30 minute walk in the afternoon/evening. If I’m doing something that requires a lot of me (a stressful time, high work or study load etc) this becomes more important rather than less important. These habits are something I’ve cultivated as I’ve gotten older - as in I’ve deliberately chosen to make them a daily part of my life. The benefits are incalculable - mind body spirit.
Daily long walks with my dog are essential to the flow of writing and to general problem solving. It stops the over-thinking, the obsessive need to solve a perceived problem or block. Being in nature, sometimes following my dog where she thinks it is really interesting, standing still to watch the squirrel disappear up the tree, walking through the stream instead of taking the bridge: All this is essential to my sense of well-being and creativity.
This:
“There is room for skepticism in the creative process. It’s a form of discernment, which is necessary and valued. Cynicism, however, collapses the mantle of possibility upon which creativity sits. It is death to the quest to make something from nothing.” — 💥🔥🔥
The struggle is real! Still have some of that NYC cynic left in me. lol.
I started walking everyday after a physical and emotional breakdown that practically immobilized me. I promised myself that I would never take my mobility or emotional wellbeing for granted. I had to cross the threshold of my condo at least once a day no matter how far I went. When my Dad died at the beginning of the pandemic, I started to take photos of flowers on my daily walks, as he was a gardener. My daily walks and photos have become one of the highlights of every day ... and my photos have become a lovely creative outlet! A daily walk shifts my mood for the better without fail everytime.
Sent from my Bell Samsung device over Canada's largest network.
Love hearing how you combine walking and photography, and how it reconnects you with your dad.
I so often forget that you’re in Boulder - I’m down south in Trinidad. I often find myself trekking through the mountains and am much better for it, on every level.
Always a balm for the soul, and inspiration for creativity
Love this piece - thank you. It is an area I have read widely on and live by. I am a physiotherapist and often shared the mantra - 'our best position is our next position' when asked what 'the best' thing was whether that be sitting at a desk, car or lying in bed! Modern life and the '9 to 5' steals from us the power of movement - whatever that looks like for us. It resides in the realms of 'if only I had time' and a luxury.
Years ago, (1990s, when it was still early-stage) I was fortunate to cross paths with an early practitioner of functional medicine--ie lifestyle over drugs--when I was in a very high stress situation that had me losing my hair by the fistfuls. A plant-forward, anti-inflammatory diet, along with walking--and 'heavier' exercise--have saved me from depression, back pain, creative blocks-and a host of other things.(And I also believe it will help me increase "health span" versus "lifespan." ) When I don't get out there and do the physical work--it shows up in my brain capacity, my creativity and my mood. THANK YOU for shining the light on this critically important modality.
Oh this is so good! Movement and writing go hand on hand for sure xoxo
I've come to realize that I often write when I move, edit when I sit.
100% agree Jonathon! My exercise of choice is a daily yoga class as soon as I wake up, around 30-45 minutes, and at least a 30 minute walk in the afternoon/evening. If I’m doing something that requires a lot of me (a stressful time, high work or study load etc) this becomes more important rather than less important. These habits are something I’ve cultivated as I’ve gotten older - as in I’ve deliberately chosen to make them a daily part of my life. The benefits are incalculable - mind body spirit.
This makes so much sense. Especially the long walks and time to think. Thank you.
Daily long walks with my dog are essential to the flow of writing and to general problem solving. It stops the over-thinking, the obsessive need to solve a perceived problem or block. Being in nature, sometimes following my dog where she thinks it is really interesting, standing still to watch the squirrel disappear up the tree, walking through the stream instead of taking the bridge: All this is essential to my sense of well-being and creativity.
Thanks.