There's always hope in creativity
Even when it sucks, let us never forget the gifts creativity brings
Creativity sits on your shoulders and whispers. They tell you a secret idea. That idea takes seed in the brain, intertwining with blood vessels. It comes out as you walk to a beat in the street. The ideas flower under the hot beams from the shower. Thrum, thrum, thrum it flowers and flows.
It haunts you at night. Staring as some furtive, irregular creature who keeps the oddest hours. Swaying, swaying, swaying the sleep away.
When you were a kid, Creativity was your play time companion. As you grew, so too did your need until Creativity grabbed the hand of your imaginary friend and ran away from the rigid performance of school picture day.
“We’ll be back, I promise,” Creativity said with a wink and a twinkle.
Then life, oh life, it dug out great sections of that beautiful, brain enlightening garden. Down came the bollards of real job, real money, real achievement. The concrete of school reporting analytics was poured. It was reinforced by a focus on prestige and pay scale.
And yet, as the cracked appeared, so did that rhythmic beat. Distant da boom, da boom, da bass drum cometh. That gnarled yet beautifully resilient sound.
The inner peace, the thorny temptation, the unbridled smiling joy.
Oh, oh. Creativity is within.
To be creative in a world that wants you to plink and plonk off a tinny conveyor belt of muted and compliant convenience is a radical act.
“Let’s not write around corners. Save some time!” they cry. “Bring in the tired analogies. Prop her up, she’s good to go. Now optimise, theorise and get on with your day.”
No wonder we have to shout random hyperbole over the deafening din of humdrum.
Everything is so disgustingly beige.
Creativity is not just for Christmas
Crawling out of the dust of hyperbole and apathy to scrape along the grey concrete of the tirelessly plain, Creativity looked closer to John McClane than its usual psychedelic carnival self. Having been through several years of its own personal Die Hard, Creativity was decidedly chaotic and ramshackle.
Which is why, in all likelihood, Creativity grinned.
As Creativity zigged, the bad guys sagged. Their ideas had stretched as far as derivative, boil-in-the-bag ideas could go.
Narrow as the escape had been, Creativity could finally breathe.
And breathe she did.
First, she took all the hard, recent times, and blew away the cobwebs of fear.
That hale and hearty breathe turned to exhaling all the collective pain in journals, songs and art everywhere.
And finally, blowing her own mind by revving her internal engines again.
As Creativity looked back on the humans who had suffered and fought and stressed and taught in the last 24 months, she positively beamed.
Her happy sack was full of books, albums, ideas and art for the people to remember her by.
To remember themselves by.
For that’s what Creativity does best.
Creativity makes the job of living look far easier than it otherwise should be.
Let’s embrace creativity
The woods still surround us – but I think I might see the mottled flicker of the sun in the trees. Do you?
Even if you don’t, if you trust Creativity, I am sure she’ll eventually find us here.
In the meantime, look around and see how much Creativity has given you. Let me start you off, shall I?
Get Back among the creativity of the Beatles
The creativity and the love (and the look at the creative way they worked) the Beatles enjoyed in the Get Back documentary. It’s a lesson in how to create despite the intentions of the world, managers, media and misguided well-wishers around you.
It's inspired me to hunt down Sir Paul’s book, The Lyrics. And to revisit the creative journals of Kurt Cobain, too.
Witness the (adulting) Fitness with (Dylan) Lewis
Most weekend mornings, Double J’s Dylan Lewis has been my constant companion. He has this wondrous trippy vibe I remember. He’s also surprisingly diligent (Dyli-gent?) with adulting. He talks about mindfulness, gratitude, body movement and life. It makes you feel like your bestie has popped over to knit random emotionally soothing tea cosies on your couch for the joy of it.
Rap up some music with little Simz.
If you haven’t checked it out, grab Little Simz with her Sometimes I Might Be Introvert album and single Introvert. I’ve never heard clap-backs used in such an intelligent way to sum up the heartbreak of shitty family relationships in such a fiercely vulnerable way.
Wash up somewhere beautiful with Caroline Shaw
Shutting off time and space while walking along the beach listening to Caroline Shaw is the closest I think I’ve ever come to entering a creative dimension without a Tardis or a portal. Sonically beautiful and challenging in the same movement it’s mindfulness in a musical wash.
Make your art no matter what with Beth Pickens
Beth is my coach. But that doesn’t mean bias. Her book Make Your art No Matter What is just what we need. There are so many parallels with fraught relationships with money, fear of asking for help freelancers and creatives share – and this itching, propelling and undeniable urge to create.
Let’s push for Diversity in Media
Ana Tiwary is not only an incredibly open and intelligent person, they are pushing for change in an area where Australia sadly lags behind – media diversity. It’s about Indigenous, CALD, LGBTQIA+ and disabled creatives getting a fair shake. I look forward to seeing what 2022 brings for Diversity in Media.
Time to get Sober in the Country
Another group that has piqued my interest is Sober in the Country. It’s a group, initiative, forum and support program all in one. Having grown up in rural NSW I know firsthand how embedded the drinking to prove you are cool and tough is in the country. Here’s to a long overdue change in the narrative.
Uncovering the talent of the Southern Highlands
The Southern Highlands is getting a new talent directory and with it, a report into the creative practitioners and economic potential of the creative industries in the region. If you are living or working within the Southern Highlands, you should totally jump on board and have your voice heard. (and share it around town, too).
Come and enjoy the creativity together
Join the Freelance Jungle Directory – we’ve updated the geo location works to include a map and enable search. It means if you are an existing member, you need to update your listing with LOCATION to show up in the directory. Or if you are new, add this info as you join. It’s free. https://freelancejungle.com.au/members/
IDENTIFYING THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITIES - PATREON ONLY
There are a bunch of things in this world we could be putting ourselves up for. But which ones are the right ones?
In this special Jungle presentation, we're going to go through how to identify the right opportunities for you- and the right way to go about them.
Thursday December 16th 10am Sydney time (with replay available via same link)
https://www.crowdcast.io/e/opportunities
A VERY JUNGLE XMAS - ZOOM - FREE EVENT
Feel like an informal gathering where you can dress up, have a little lunch and even do a little craft if you are so inclined?
That's what that's all about! We're breaking out the fun and the friendship to debrief on another tough year in the way only the Jungle knows how.
Join via the Freelance Jungle Facebook Group (event link is this one)
FESTIVE SEASON SHUTDOWN
I am having the joy that is a combined holiday and medical leave. So, I am unlikely to resurface until February 1st, 2022. But I wanted to say thank you. For your emails of kindness when my Dad died. For the comments and messages appreciating this newsletter and the work I do. And for being a friend. It’s made a huge difference to connect with you in a meaningful and vulnerable way. You have made being creative a joy again. Your words cure my feelings of self-doubt and sense of isolation. So, thank you.
Stay safe and lovely like the warm hug you are.
Love and other ways to fill your chest with gratitude,
Rebekah