Creativity Begets Creativity
Or at least that’s what I’m hoping for.
Hello friends!
A few updates for ya…
Prefer to listen to this story? Click below for the audio version: sadyeevyn.substack.com/podcast
This week, instead of writing, I painted—new artwork (for the first time in over three years!!!) and my kitchen cabinets (…wellllll, I started on them).
That’s where my creative energy was and honestly, after the hellish five weeks I’ve had—between the dental disaster and the exhaustive nature that is job searching—that’s where I needed to go.
Sooooo, I don’t have a new story to share today and truth be told, I likely won’t for a few weeks.
I’m in the middle of working on SEVERAL and I know they’ll eventually be good—or at least some of them will, ha!—but right now, I’m kinda stuck and none of them are even remotely ready to publish and…that’s okay.
I knew this time would come and also that it’s temporary. All of it is, really…
I will eventually get a fantastic career opportunity that aligns with everything I’m looking for in a position, organization and industry. (I have a second interview this week, actually, as well as some other great leads!)
I will eventually be through my dental drama, which is going to be a long process, but is already feeling lighter with each passing day.
And I will eventually find my flow again with writing and producing stories I’m proud of and that you’ll actually want to read.
So rather than continuing to write in circles, I’m putting the pen down (so to speak) and pivoting to other creative endeavors for the time being. To get those juices flowing again, yes, but also because when you’re short on time and long on hobbies, sometimes you gotta set one down before you can play with the others.
Meanwhile, I’ve been reminding myself that when I started on Substack, I had just one rule: TO NOT FOLLOW OTHER PEOPLE’S RULES!
Sure, I’d set out to publish weekly—the “recommended” cadence for producing new content—but more than quantity, I care about the quality of my writing…and in finding a rhythm that is both sustainable and generative, even if a bit sporadic.
The reality is, some stories take longer to come together and need to go through several iterations before they’re ready to share.
Take my Mourning Motherhood piece, for example.
That story struck a chord with SO MANY PEOPLE—by far the most of any of my essays—and it was the one I’d spent the most time on, tweaking and editing, rewriting and digging deeper.
I realize the topic had a lot to do with how widely and well it was received, but had I published it hastily during one of its initial drafts, just for the sake of keeping up with the newsletter Joneses, I don’t know that it would’ve had the same impact or effect—on you or me.
And so, as I shared in my very first post—Welcome to my Substack—moving forward, I’ll be sharing stories somewhat weekly (maybe more like monthly?) and continuing to tinker as needed.
After all, every experiment needs a little tinkering from time to time.
But as a show of good faith, below are a few of the topics/stories I’m currently (or will be) working on…
Butterflies in the Closet (working title)—A story on signs from the universe and the funny, sometimes hard-to-believe ways they show up in our lives
The story of that time I flew (then drove) to the middle-of-nowhere Texas for a job interview and it turned out to be more of an interview to be the guy’s next wife—that was an interesting 48 hours, to say the least!
A Night Guard and a Vibrator Walk Into a Bar (working title)—A story on what it’s like to be 40 and single in the dating app era
The myth of the “work/life balance” and “we can have it all” rhetoric and why it’s wreaking havoc on us all
Exploring the writing prompt: Write about a time when you knew something was over. Naturally, the time I’m thinking of is the end of a relationship and the fantastically dramatic way in which it finally imploded. Teaser: it involved a shocking text message over brunch and the throwing, then shattering, of a mostly empty champagne bottle.
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Thanks for sticking around and continuing to flow with me…I’ll be back soon!!
xx
Sadye
P.S. Are there any topics you’d like me to explore? Let me know in the comments below or send me a message (on IG, FB or via email)! I’m interested in utilizing more writing prompts, both as a way to generate new work, but also to challenge myself and grow as a writer, so I welcome your input and ideas!!
I read a post recently that said sometimes your brain just needs a break and I’ve never agreed with something more. Do you sis. Also cannot wait to read about the work life balance myth as I tooooo believe trying to have it all is killing us. Can’t wait to read your brilliant mind on it. Love!