How to Stay Creative

Even when the world sucks.

Hi friends.

For the past few years I’ve been working quietly on a project. It’s a book about how to be/stay creative during emotionally challenging situations, be it grief or trauma or feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world. It is also about how to deal with aging in general. I have been dabbling a bit in writing about some of it here in shorter form but also I’ve been working on a longer form version, too, with full-length essays and chapters. I’m always kind of digging in and taking notes on it and I have a folder that exists on my desktop that feels pretty alive.

I must confess that there are times I can’t bring myself to go anywhere near the project. There’s a pragmatic, service-oriented aspect to it, but there’s also a memoir aspect living alongside that. It feels so vulnerable sometimes just to open up my heart like that. Writing memoir never gets any easier for me. But I want to write it so it can exist in the world. And also I want to write it so I can have it for myself to refer to whenever I need it. I want to create something helpful.

I have to fly out this week to go look after a family member who is having surgery so I brainstormed some fresh ideas yesterday morning on keeping my creativity steady while I’m gone. Sometimes these lists get a little repetitive but there’s always something new that emerges from it, and I’m glad I’ve been keeping track of them.

Anyway, I thought I’d share the list with you today. It feels a little raw to put these ideas and feelings out there but also it feels nice to talk about this project and express what I am trying to do to look after myself.

1. Accept that you might not be able to get work (or anything creative) done, but it is worth shooting for anyway.

2. Accept that what you write during this time probably won’t be any good. But also remember “good” is subjective. Sometimes “good” just means “helpful” or “for sanity’s sake” or “to be referred to in the future.”

3. Bring a new notebook with you. Name it something funny or name it something deeply accurate. (Which also might be kind of funny.) But give it a place and a position in this particular arena of your life.

4. Write in this notebook first thing or right before you go to bed. You will be guaranteed to have a few minutes right when you wake up that you can steal for yourself. Try to check in with yourself every day at the same time. Write (or type) like the wind.

5. Get a little bit of exercise at some point every day, even if it means walking up and down the hospital stairwell a few times. This will help you stay connected to yourself.

6. When you meet someone new, ask them something about themselves, maybe write it down later. A new, human detail. Remember that the outside world is always going on, no matter what.

7. When the situation is hot, the writing stays cool. Be calm, be reflective. Save the hyperbole and drama for when you’re feeling freer and there’s less potential for volatility.

8. If all you can do is take notes, then take notes.

9. Remember that you love to write. Writing is your friend. Writing is there for you when you need it. Lean on it. Don’t develop an antagonistic relationship with it. Let it help you, instead.

OK that’s it for now. Sending love—

Jami

You are reading Craft Talk, the home of #1000wordsofsummer and also a weekly newsletter about writing from Jami Attenberg. I’m also on bluesky and instagram.