Better life, better writing
Non-writing practices that make me a better writer
David Lynch once said: “You don’t have to suffer to show suffering, you don’t have to be filled with turmoil to show turmoil, have it in the story… I think all great artists loved working. A lot of people say, ‘well, suffering is good for art, look at Van Gogh.’ And I say, let’s take a look at Van Gogh. He didn’t go out painting because he hated it. The only time he was happy, was probably when he was painting. He painted because he loved to paint... It’s just common sense, suffering reduces. Negativity is the enemy of creativity.”
Another time, he also said that when there’s suffering, “it occupies the whole brain and it poisons the artist, poisons the environment, and there’s little room for creativity.” He used having a headache as an example. “If you have a splitting headache… how much work are you going to be doing and how much are you going to enjoy it?” He then suggests that learning techniques to lift that negativity and enjoy life, is the best we can do for our creativity.
I agree with David, because I experienced this myself.
Life is beautiful, but it’s also tough. We all face pain and hardship, and at some point, we all suffer. But romanticizing suffering and thinking it somehow makes us better artists? I just find that ridiculous. Sure, some people who suffer create incredible art. But many people who suffer don’t. The same goes the other way. David Lynch was happy, and he was a genius, but that doesn’t mean every happy person is a great artist.
Art comes from all kinds of people. That’s my point.
During the pandemic, I went through the most challenging two years of my life. I was thriving in my career, but personally, I was falling apart. I had my first panic attacks, and I felt anxious and in pain for a while. I was suffering.
David Lynch is right - it occupies the whole brain. I found myself writing obsessively about the things that were hurting me. That’s when I discovered that journaling wasn’t for me. Instead of releasing the pain, I was just dwelling on it. I couldn’t write about anything else. I felt trapped, as if my pain was smothering my creativity.
I truly believe that I’ve created my best work before and after that time in my life. Peace and happiness have done wonders for me.
Now, I’m not saying that if you’re suffering, your art is doomed. If you’re an artist, you’re an artist no matter what. What I mean is that, whatever you’re going through, loving and caring for yourself is the best thing you can do. Not just for you, but for your art too.
Having any kind of discipline can do a lot for our mental health. These are the practices that have made my writing better.
Connect with nature
Whether it’s a vacation by the mountains or the ocean, a walk where I can appreciate the trees, watering my plants, or just watching the squirrels outside my window, I make sure to take a moment each day to appreciate the beauty around me. It fills me with a sense of wonder right away.
Regular exercise
I work out four to five times a week. Beyond all the physical benefits, exercise clears my mind. And watching myself get stronger and lift heavier weights makes me feel like I’m capable of anything.
Good friends and healthy relationships
I make it a priority to nurture my relationships and stay connected with the people I love and who love me. I’ve also become more selective about who I let into my circle. I value shared principles, and I’ve learned the hard way to distance myself from people who lack boundaries or who weaponize them.
Limiting social media
Our brains aren’t built to process the overwhelming amount of information we take in during a two-minute scroll. I don’t need to know what all 400+ people I follow are up to or hear their thoughts on every topic. I also share very little about my own opinions and personal life. I’m genuinely proud to have set a 10 to 15-minute daily limit on my apps.
Nutritious eating
I’m mindful of what I put in my body, but I’m not obsessive about it. I still enjoy my chocolates, a few drinks a week, and my favorite pastries. Growing up with two brothers in the culinary world, I was lucky to always have healthy meals at home. It’s amazing how much clearer my mind is and how much more energy I have when I eat well.
Reading
I need the intellectual stimulation that reading provides. It gets my mind racing in a positive way. Whenever I put off reading for a few days, I notice my mind starts to wander because it’s craving that particular stimulation. It’s like working out but for the mind.
Hugs
It might sound cheesy, but we all need the oxytocin that comes from pure love. I make sure to get and give plenty of hugs every day. Pet snuggles included.
As you can see, none of these things are directly related to writing, but they all work together to shield me from the stress and anxiety that can weigh me down sometimes. I’ve learned to bounce back quickly and return to my center. Peace and happiness. When I’m in that state, I’m usually super motivated, which leads to some great writing sprints. But if I’m feeling off, writing just doesn’t flow. I can do it when I have to, but it’s never my best work.
When I’m down, I try not to force it. I take time for myself. I’ve said it before: I’m my best writing tool. Without me, my writing can’t happen.
So, yeah, loving myself is the best thing I’ve done for my creativity.
♥
Great advises that you won't see in other place, thanks! :)