I definitely feel quite similar myself, and I suspect it’s because creativity is only possible when you’re able to let your guard down.
I heard of something called the “salience network” which is a thing in our brains that switches it between things we do when we’re safe and things we do when we’re not— creativity and play maybe happen when we don’t need to use all our energy scanning the horizon for threats.
But now, there are very sophisticated machines which are built around saying “you should scan your horizon for threats! And there a lot of them are real threats; they’re just over there on the horizon.”
I think doomscrolling is probably a natural thing to be doing as an animal, and it just seems odd to say that because it’s on a phone? But it’s a sensible primal instinct that’s being manipulated. I don’t know if that’s actually very helpful to say— except to say that I don’t think what you’re describing is silly; I think it’s just what our minds do to try and keep us safe. And it doesn’t keep us safe, it probably erodes us further, but hopefully it is at least useful to know
I thought for a long time that scrolling IG would inspire me to make something, but it just distracted me. I have a post-it on my desk that says IG IS NOT MY ART PRACTICE from 2 years ago. I think I've learned this lesson and can throw it away now. I'm compulsive, so deleting the apps from my phone that are time sucks is what works for me. How often to keep them on is a daily work in progress.
I read this in the midst of resolving a SECOND horrendous travel issue from a flight delay/cancellation while in a foreign country. I look forward to seeing this differently a year from now
"I came here to tell you that maybe the most important thing you can do for yourself is to make sure you have time to think."
and
"The difference in quality between a thought that you’re welcoming and one you’re suppressing is magnificent. Like water in a stream versus water you’re trying to keep from dripping through a hole in the roof of your house."
What a lovely newsletter. I too get carried away with planting and seeds….we’ll see how it goes this season, I’m planting many more flowers than in previous years
It’s so hard for me to remember that there’s good reasons for me to be feeling this way! And because of that I won’t be feeling this way forever. I should be taking notes future Kitty would appreciate that.
The idea that thinking is enough is really great. I ABSOLUTELY will never make art instead of scrolling. It’s just too much. But thinking, that’s maybe something I can do. I’ve had minimal luck lately by just saying all I have to do is put the phone down. I don’t have to do anything else with my life. Just not look at the phone.
I definitely feel quite similar myself, and I suspect it’s because creativity is only possible when you’re able to let your guard down.
I heard of something called the “salience network” which is a thing in our brains that switches it between things we do when we’re safe and things we do when we’re not— creativity and play maybe happen when we don’t need to use all our energy scanning the horizon for threats.
But now, there are very sophisticated machines which are built around saying “you should scan your horizon for threats! And there a lot of them are real threats; they’re just over there on the horizon.”
I think doomscrolling is probably a natural thing to be doing as an animal, and it just seems odd to say that because it’s on a phone? But it’s a sensible primal instinct that’s being manipulated. I don’t know if that’s actually very helpful to say— except to say that I don’t think what you’re describing is silly; I think it’s just what our minds do to try and keep us safe. And it doesn’t keep us safe, it probably erodes us further, but hopefully it is at least useful to know
I thought for a long time that scrolling IG would inspire me to make something, but it just distracted me. I have a post-it on my desk that says IG IS NOT MY ART PRACTICE from 2 years ago. I think I've learned this lesson and can throw it away now. I'm compulsive, so deleting the apps from my phone that are time sucks is what works for me. How often to keep them on is a daily work in progress.
I read this in the midst of resolving a SECOND horrendous travel issue from a flight delay/cancellation while in a foreign country. I look forward to seeing this differently a year from now
dear sophie,
thank you so much for these all of these thinks!
a few that i'd like to highlight in particular:
"I came here to tell you that maybe the most important thing you can do for yourself is to make sure you have time to think."
and
"The difference in quality between a thought that you’re welcoming and one you’re suppressing is magnificent. Like water in a stream versus water you’re trying to keep from dripping through a hole in the roof of your house."
beautiful thinks!
many thanks!
love
myq
That quote is beautiful
Another great post. Thanks for being so fantastic at capturing the stuff that goes on in my head 😂
Thank you, Sophie, for bringing your authentic self to the conversation--it's infectious. 💗
💯”the sludge…has accumulated. ——
💗THINKS, ”what my brain wants vs. what the internet wants”
💗”zinnias”, yes please. They are pure fun!
Thank you, sophie, for reminding me i can choose to add lots of pure water to the sludge to make it (and me) less sludgy.
I love this space you’ve created that reminds me i’m doing a good enough job. You are too!
PS My fave MG outfit is your house one.
What a lovely newsletter. I too get carried away with planting and seeds….we’ll see how it goes this season, I’m planting many more flowers than in previous years
It’s so hard for me to remember that there’s good reasons for me to be feeling this way! And because of that I won’t be feeling this way forever. I should be taking notes future Kitty would appreciate that.
The idea that thinking is enough is really great. I ABSOLUTELY will never make art instead of scrolling. It’s just too much. But thinking, that’s maybe something I can do. I’ve had minimal luck lately by just saying all I have to do is put the phone down. I don’t have to do anything else with my life. Just not look at the phone.