Write anywhere. That was one of the first pieces of advice I received as a beginner. Don’t seek out the perfect noise level, don’t look for a particular spot. Just write, anywhere, anytime. Make it a habit. Build your routine. But what happens after you’ve built your creative routine. When it becomes so familiar to you that you do define your particulars – either subconsciously or consciously?
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It takes roughly 21 days to build a new habit, but only one to break it.
When you become attached to particulars you’re placing a condition on your art. You’re essentially saying “I can only create if…”, and when that conditional ‘if’ ceases to exist – be it for a moment or a day – your creative harmony is thrown into turmoil.
The advice I received as a beginner was incomplete, because as a beginner I couldn’t have possibly understood the full truth. Building a creative routine was merely the first step towards living a creative lifestyle.
Understand Your Preferences and How They Differ From Particulars
When I started writing I had heard of an author who would write anywhere, even in the center of Grand Central Station. I assumed that this was the goal – to be able to tune out anything and everything at will so that I could literally write anywhere. Over time I became increasingly frustrated with myself for not being able to always write without distraction. I began to notice how difficult it was for me to work when friends or family were around and it irritated me to no end. I had an ideal in my head that told me I should be able to do it.
What I didn’t understand at the time was that the thing I took as an ideal was merely an example of another’s process. Something for me to try out and see how it could work for me.
The moment I understood this, things began to fall into place.
I often write while I’m out and the most common question I get is if I’m listening to others’ conversations for inspiration. The truth is I could sit in the middle of a crowded bar with a band, and if I were in the right mood all I would hear is the music and my story. After a while, even the music would become subtle background noise as I work.
The same does not apply if I’m traveling. Part of building a creative lifestyle is remembering to live. I could make a point to still write while I’m visiting my friends and family, but my mind is elsewhere. I do bring my notebook with me when traveling to a new city, but I prioritize seeing the sights, exploring and living in the moment.
When I was in college friends would ask how I could spend so much time in the city and still focus on my studies. The answer was simple. The art of writing is also the act of living.
Don’t Depend On Circumstance
Life happens. Your car breaks down and the parts take more than a week to come in. You cut your hand while cooking. You deal with stitches for more days than you’d like. You learn to work with the chaos.
When you place conditions on your creative process (I prefer to write when/here/if/etc) you become dependent on circumstance. The typical chaos of your day-to-day life that would generally go unnoticed suddenly becomes glaring.
Separate yourself and your process from circumstance.
What I’ve found is this does two things: it gives you great material to work with, and helps you find a positive perspective. By learning to roll with the chaos, you’re able to transform it into peace. My car broke down in a very safe location. At least my fingers are still attached. I can’t find a positive for stitches but at least my fingers are still attached.
This outlook also allows you to be creative without disruption. You adjust and adapt and continue to create.
Avoid Setting Your Process In Stone
Even at this point in my career my process is still subject to change. It all goes back to that moment of realization, the understanding of how to transform a supposed ‘ideal’ into an experiment. While there are core elements of my process that are very likely to remain the same, everything around them is subject to change at will.
I love writing at night but have discovered that writing first thing in the morning is much easier for me to guarantee. I prefer specific notebooks and pens but have others that are more convenient when I’m out or away.
The beauty of allowing yourself room to adjust and grow is that it also gives you the space to realize truths about your current process. Most recently I was listening to a lesson from Neil Gaiman’s Masterclass, in which he spoke of how he used to read more when he was just beginning and would find different styles that he wanted to try. Upon hearing this, I realized that I actually read less when I’m in the midst of writing because reading another writer’s work can influence my own writing voice in ways that I may not want.
In that moment I found a piece of clarity that has shed light on my own process, allowing me to strengthen it and also help others find their way. This simple realization has given me new ideas for content and deeper insight into pain points that my clients may experience while building their brands.
Being creative is not a static existence. Rigidity will only hinder your process. Allow yourself to learn and absorb what works best for you. Borrow from another’s creative process and repurpose it for yourself as often as needed. You never know when you might find a moment of clarity.
Transform The Ideal of Balance
True balance requires understanding imbalance, which is the core of creativity. As we create new stories we’re pitting one thing against the other to find conflict before we tip the scales back to resolution.
Living a creative lifestyle is much the same. It’s the art of listening to where you’re at that day and seeing how you can transform that place into energy you can use. There is no ego, and therefore no judgement. You stay the course, only now you accept and understand it as a winding path.
SAMANTHA PATERNOSTER
Writing is much bigger than a career. It’s more interesting than a hobby. It’s the spark to an eternal curiosity that has led me to learn unexpected skills, treasure knowledge passed down through generations, and create a space for voices that need to speak.
I earned my B.A. in Creative Writing from Brandeis University, with a focus on long and short fiction. I have nearly a decade of experience as a copywriter and editor. But I’ve also worked as an Email Analyst and QA Analyst at Yale University, helping to launch their redesigned Giving page circa 2014.
Most recently, I’ve started my own business – Creatively You. Built for my clients, it is founded on one simple act: listening. By listening to my clients’ dreams and needs, I am able to help them develop their brands through cohesive web design and content that tells their stories.
I don’t believe in linear paths. I do believe in the magic that embracing the unknown can bring.
