March 21, 2023

The Creative Block Illusion

For a whole year, I allowed the illusion of writer's block to prevent me from revisiting this newsletter. I fell into the trap of seeking perfection and certainty, waiting for that magical bolt of inspiration from the creative gods. But I've come to realize that creativity is not a divine gift that strikes at random; it's a choice we make every day.

Creative blocks often stem from our desire for certainty and perfection. We want to be right, to create something polished and flawless, and this can either stall our progress or prevent us from ever getting started. The truth is, our quest for perfection and certainty can be the very things that create the illusion of a creative block.

To overcome this, it's essential to embrace imperfection and take action, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. Just write, doodle, or create whatever comes to mind, even if it's a stick figure or a nonsensical sentence. The act of creation itself can break down barriers and help us reconnect with our innate creativity.

In a world where AI can do almost anything, a simple human-made sketch or a raw, unfiltered thought becomes a thousand times more unique and valuable. So, don't let the pursuit of perfection hold you back. Embrace the messiness of the creative process, and trust that each stroke of the pen or keystroke brings you closer to discovering your true artistic voice.

By letting go of our need for certainty and perfection, we can shatter the illusion of creative blocks and unlock our boundless potential. Start today by creating something – anything – and remember that every masterpiece begins with a single mark or word. It's time to take action and choose creativity over the paralyzing illusion of the writer's block.

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Curated Links of the Week:

  1. Gray Area [Podcast]
    I love how the host invites you to challenge conventional wisdom, and hear the other side of the story in this podcast by Vox.
  2. Matter [Font]
    Matter is a Warm Grotesk Typeface that combines the classic feel of a traditional grotesk with subtle, warm touches. I think it's great for headlines, body text, and everything in between. It's one of those fonts that I just want to use on something.
  3. M3GAN [Movie]
    This not a new movie, but if you haven't seen it, or dismiss it because it looks cheesy... don't be fooled by the thriller. While it's not a classical horror movie, it still manages to unsettle you as the aunt tries to console her niece while a robot is... ok... I'm spoiling it. Just go watch it on any stream service that rents movies.

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