It's always a constant act of balance between those two! I am a person who likes planning most of the times, but in between plans my creativity and improvisation often takes control and mess it up my plans. I tend to accept it and just keep doing it the way it feels right at the moment. The path I feel more joy is the one I choose! P.S.- I love already the way you write and express your thoughts, feels natural.
Absolutely agree with this! As long as we make room for joy to come into play, we're all good, I think. And thank you so much for your kind words about my writing, Teresa-it means a lot!
I know exactly how it feels. Writing is a new world to me, but it has been a great experience so far. Although I am a very slow writer... I write only about what interests me, not what others might want to read (of course I hope others will find it interesting too). I stick to a schedule, because I need structure otherwise I am at risk at throwing it over board. I am not yet at the point that I don‘t have anything interesting to write about anymore, but I am worried that this point might come. We will see. I am with you - art should be spontaneous and free of planning, but as I said a bit of planning at least regarding my writing is helpful not to get lost.
Susanne, I feel you so much on this -I often worry about hitting a creativity roadblock! I once read about the courage it takes to start something without knowing how it'll end. Here is to both of us bravely exploring this new world. Best of luck!
Whenever I get that thought of “what if I run out of things to write about”, I naïvely convince myself that I can just go to an art museum and it will fix it. No idea if it will fix the problem, but the thought eases any anxiety I might have about the subject.
Yes, I completely agree! I need some level of schedule to get started, which I find the hardest part! But once it flows, I like to let it go. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts <3
With my visual practice, I love the process more than I love making plans (actually when I make these I often fail to carry them out since they can make art-making feel more like work). With writing, though, I definitely make plans. I think it works for me since novels are such big projects that take a long commitment to produce. Now that I’m dreaming up some bigger paintings, I find myself using planning with these, too, but it’s more ideas-based than setting a schedule or anything like that.
Big yes to appreciating the process. I think letting go of the idea of trying to control the outcome brings more happy accidents-and that's what I love about the creative act. Thank you for sharing your ideas Sarah, it deepened my thoughts <3
I think I mostly do something I will call “improvising in advance”. When I feel I have something to say, I will start to write that post, getting all my thoughts for it down. Then I will schedule a date with myself to polish it. I’m continually pushing myself to have my posts ready and scheduled earlier in advance - I just polished and scheduled next week Thursday’s post. Almost a week in advance, and I am really proud of myself for it.
Thank you Nino, I just read your comment now almost a year later, my apology that I'm horrible at this! And I have to say, I love your idea of "improvising in advance"! I feel when writing the first draft, it has to come out as freely as possible so that the words keep their own energy.
I’m exactly like you, I like planning in a few areas to know exactly what’s ahead of me and being prepared for it but for most part an improviser. I rather not plan my art practice but I’m working on this balance too.. good luck to us!!
So good to know I'm not the only one feeling this way. I totally get what you're saying, having a loose plan and then letting myself play within that structure sounds like a good idea. Your thoughts are really helping me understand this better. Thanks for sharing Sonia!
An improviser here, also intrigued, but not captivated by, planning creative expressions.
Your good sense will guide you, I'm sure - this is an extension of your current creativity.
Those uncomfortable questions - they're just around in an interface situation, I think. A few hours ago, when I also made a fresh post, + maybe with every post so far, too, I wonder, + move on through.
Finally, as with my other artistry, I'm guided by 'when it feels right, it's right, for now.' The surety we've encouraged, + recognise, by 'just painting' will help us find our ways with this form, too, probably. We're all just learning, navigating newness. "Sometimes planning, sometimes winging it".
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jaihn. Your approach of "when it feels right, it's right, for now." resonates so much. I think the unique value lies in the creative work that comes out from a specific person, situation, and moment in time. Come to think of it, that's why I love art in the first place!
Oh this is an eternal struggle 😅 I struggle with anxiety and often fall into a pattern of feeling ‘ if I can just plan things out- write them down - allocate a time’ then I would feel more secure or calm. In reality I’m never able to stick to my ridiculously detailed plans and get even more stressed! I find my best work, when it just seems to be ‘right’ is when I follow my curiosity and intuition. I’m always far more at peace with the results even if the work looks ‘bad’ than with the pieces that involved all the tension of planning. Out of curiosity have you read the book Four Thousand Weeks? It’s a challenging and thoughtful book about how much we want to manage time but how ultimately time can’t be managed. You might like it!
When it comes to drawing I really love to get lost in the moment of it. Like forgetting to take some shots often, but I planned to do better and it worked 😏
Planning in general is something I love to do very opulent and so there is always something left. But for writing I love to be spontaneous. I recognize that the more someone writes ordinary life reality, the more I am interested in reading.
Actually I don't love much reading any kind of extraordinary life. And I guess it's a level of stress or contrary I feel about my life.
Like I decided to buy less. So after a while I feel stressed if someone shares lots of things I could buy. Or if someone is creating too much a feeling of being professional. I know we all love perfection for good reason. Especially at the dentist :)
But here I love to dwell into the love for poetic vibes and personal experiences are touching my heart. I guess this is the human thread ❤ Your letter comes in a natural flow. I love reading and your images. Beautiful color matching!! This is what catched my attention 🐳🌠
It's always a constant act of balance between those two! I am a person who likes planning most of the times, but in between plans my creativity and improvisation often takes control and mess it up my plans. I tend to accept it and just keep doing it the way it feels right at the moment. The path I feel more joy is the one I choose! P.S.- I love already the way you write and express your thoughts, feels natural.
Absolutely agree with this! As long as we make room for joy to come into play, we're all good, I think. And thank you so much for your kind words about my writing, Teresa-it means a lot!
Agreeing with Theresa here - your writing style does feel natural and in a sense comforting.
I know exactly how it feels. Writing is a new world to me, but it has been a great experience so far. Although I am a very slow writer... I write only about what interests me, not what others might want to read (of course I hope others will find it interesting too). I stick to a schedule, because I need structure otherwise I am at risk at throwing it over board. I am not yet at the point that I don‘t have anything interesting to write about anymore, but I am worried that this point might come. We will see. I am with you - art should be spontaneous and free of planning, but as I said a bit of planning at least regarding my writing is helpful not to get lost.
Susanne, I feel you so much on this -I often worry about hitting a creativity roadblock! I once read about the courage it takes to start something without knowing how it'll end. Here is to both of us bravely exploring this new world. Best of luck!
Whenever I get that thought of “what if I run out of things to write about”, I naïvely convince myself that I can just go to an art museum and it will fix it. No idea if it will fix the problem, but the thought eases any anxiety I might have about the subject.
Photo books (or art books) are my go to inspiration in that sense.
I’ll have to add that to my list of soothers/inspirational sources!
I like to have a structure, I need one if I want to get anything done that day... But then I also like the freedom to change my mind and improv!
New here, enjoying reading your stack 😁
Yes, I completely agree! I need some level of schedule to get started, which I find the hardest part! But once it flows, I like to let it go. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts <3
With my visual practice, I love the process more than I love making plans (actually when I make these I often fail to carry them out since they can make art-making feel more like work). With writing, though, I definitely make plans. I think it works for me since novels are such big projects that take a long commitment to produce. Now that I’m dreaming up some bigger paintings, I find myself using planning with these, too, but it’s more ideas-based than setting a schedule or anything like that.
Big yes to appreciating the process. I think letting go of the idea of trying to control the outcome brings more happy accidents-and that's what I love about the creative act. Thank you for sharing your ideas Sarah, it deepened my thoughts <3
I think I mostly do something I will call “improvising in advance”. When I feel I have something to say, I will start to write that post, getting all my thoughts for it down. Then I will schedule a date with myself to polish it. I’m continually pushing myself to have my posts ready and scheduled earlier in advance - I just polished and scheduled next week Thursday’s post. Almost a week in advance, and I am really proud of myself for it.
Thank you Nino, I just read your comment now almost a year later, my apology that I'm horrible at this! And I have to say, I love your idea of "improvising in advance"! I feel when writing the first draft, it has to come out as freely as possible so that the words keep their own energy.
Yes I know what you feel! It’s a struggle for sure!
We're in this together!
I’m exactly like you, I like planning in a few areas to know exactly what’s ahead of me and being prepared for it but for most part an improviser. I rather not plan my art practice but I’m working on this balance too.. good luck to us!!
So good to know I'm not the only one feeling this way. I totally get what you're saying, having a loose plan and then letting myself play within that structure sounds like a good idea. Your thoughts are really helping me understand this better. Thanks for sharing Sonia!
An improviser here, also intrigued, but not captivated by, planning creative expressions.
Your good sense will guide you, I'm sure - this is an extension of your current creativity.
Those uncomfortable questions - they're just around in an interface situation, I think. A few hours ago, when I also made a fresh post, + maybe with every post so far, too, I wonder, + move on through.
Finally, as with my other artistry, I'm guided by 'when it feels right, it's right, for now.' The surety we've encouraged, + recognise, by 'just painting' will help us find our ways with this form, too, probably. We're all just learning, navigating newness. "Sometimes planning, sometimes winging it".
Thanks for your post, for just showing up, too!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jaihn. Your approach of "when it feels right, it's right, for now." resonates so much. I think the unique value lies in the creative work that comes out from a specific person, situation, and moment in time. Come to think of it, that's why I love art in the first place!
Oh this is an eternal struggle 😅 I struggle with anxiety and often fall into a pattern of feeling ‘ if I can just plan things out- write them down - allocate a time’ then I would feel more secure or calm. In reality I’m never able to stick to my ridiculously detailed plans and get even more stressed! I find my best work, when it just seems to be ‘right’ is when I follow my curiosity and intuition. I’m always far more at peace with the results even if the work looks ‘bad’ than with the pieces that involved all the tension of planning. Out of curiosity have you read the book Four Thousand Weeks? It’s a challenging and thoughtful book about how much we want to manage time but how ultimately time can’t be managed. You might like it!
Hum- interesting questions!
When it comes to drawing I really love to get lost in the moment of it. Like forgetting to take some shots often, but I planned to do better and it worked 😏
Planning in general is something I love to do very opulent and so there is always something left. But for writing I love to be spontaneous. I recognize that the more someone writes ordinary life reality, the more I am interested in reading.
Actually I don't love much reading any kind of extraordinary life. And I guess it's a level of stress or contrary I feel about my life.
Like I decided to buy less. So after a while I feel stressed if someone shares lots of things I could buy. Or if someone is creating too much a feeling of being professional. I know we all love perfection for good reason. Especially at the dentist :)
But here I love to dwell into the love for poetic vibes and personal experiences are touching my heart. I guess this is the human thread ❤ Your letter comes in a natural flow. I love reading and your images. Beautiful color matching!! This is what catched my attention 🐳🌠