Sep 4, 2023·edited Sep 4, 2023Liked by Anne Boyd Rioux
Enjoyed this post, Anne, as I do all your writings about travel and life. I've been working on re-igniting my creative life, which went very nearly fallow following 10 years in a demanding job, plus going back to school for a Master in Liberal Arts degree. Since I left my job a year ago, I have been in an interim state, a time of transition, during which I've been trying (unrealistically) to balance reading, creative writing, a return to watercolors, and some gardening, all the while looking for paid consulting work. It's a real plate-spinner. Too much, untenable. I'm finally beginning to realize that creativity ebbs and flows (sometimes it even crashes with a grand wave and recedes just as quickly!)--and that this not only okay, but far more natural than trying to be some kind of multi-headed creative hydra. I do need and always want to be creating something in one way or another, because it makes me feel alive; but I don't need to be creating on all five cylinders all the time. So I've been learning be content with 1-2 pursuits at a time: sometimes it's a bold, quantifiable endeavor with a deadline, like writing an essay or a book review; other times it's merely trying a new recipe, or dabbling with a watercolor technique. It took me into my mid-fifties to become comfortable with the fact that I am a Renaissance soul, that my creative interests are wide and always will be, and probably most important, they never truly leave me, or I them. Rather, they're always there, faithful friends, waiting quietly and ready to re-engage whenever it feels right. Cheers! ~Cheryl
Enjoyed this post, Anne, as I do all your writings about travel and life. I've been working on re-igniting my creative life, which went very nearly fallow following 10 years in a demanding job, plus going back to school for a Master in Liberal Arts degree. Since I left my job a year ago, I have been in an interim state, a time of transition, during which I've been trying (unrealistically) to balance reading, creative writing, a return to watercolors, and some gardening, all the while looking for paid consulting work. It's a real plate-spinner. Too much, untenable. I'm finally beginning to realize that creativity ebbs and flows (sometimes it even crashes with a grand wave and recedes just as quickly!)--and that this not only okay, but far more natural than trying to be some kind of multi-headed creative hydra. I do need and always want to be creating something in one way or another, because it makes me feel alive; but I don't need to be creating on all five cylinders all the time. So I've been learning be content with 1-2 pursuits at a time: sometimes it's a bold, quantifiable endeavor with a deadline, like writing an essay or a book review; other times it's merely trying a new recipe, or dabbling with a watercolor technique. It took me into my mid-fifties to become comfortable with the fact that I am a Renaissance soul, that my creative interests are wide and always will be, and probably most important, they never truly leave me, or I them. Rather, they're always there, faithful friends, waiting quietly and ready to re-engage whenever it feels right. Cheers! ~Cheryl
That Katie Roiphe quote... 🤯🤯🤯
I was told years ago by male professors that no one would want to read my memoir because I’m not famous. So thank you for this.
Sharing personal stories inspires and shows others that they too can change their life. It's impactful by example.
Thanks for this, Anne.