If you don't feel creative enough or like a "real" artist or writer
Please read because this is for you
A couple of months ago, I had an idea while making a sandwich: a creative lab focused on project-based accountability for highly creative people.
Everyone I work with comes with the same challenge that takes different forms: how to consistently prioritize creative output in the muchness of everyday life. Not when the conditions are perfect, or when self-doubt has totally dissolved, or when the to-do list is finally cleared… How do you prioritize creative practice in your life as it is and meet yourself as you are?
Fast forward to Wednesday's office hours during Pivoting Toward Wholeness. In the span of a few minutes, we were deep in conversation about procrastination and creative indecision and it led to a discussion about the FREEDOM of assignments...
Assignments come with built-in constraints. For one, there's an end date. And no matter how it turns out, something gets created.
But there's a downside to assignments, too. For most of us, our experience of assignments has been in the context of grades. Evaluation loomed over the process.
There's also putting them off to the last-minute—staying up late and slapping something together right before it's due. Even when you care about it… Even when you meant to start sooner. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to reclaim assignments as adults.
Instead of being standardized, what if you made creative assignments that were completely unique and self-designed?
Instead of a tool for evaluation, assignments then become a purposeful container for experimentation.
Those same constraints that felt limiting (and even intimidating) when they’re handed to us by someone else? When you are rooted in creative choice the whole way through, self-designed assignments become a way of transforming creative dreams and projects into something that exists in the world instead of just in your head.
You deserve to see your creative desires in form! Even when it feels cringy, even when you want to start over again, or even if nobody else sees it but you.
(I’m worked up because every week I see how tangled up creativity is with shame and agency… and an abiding sense of fulfillment and meaning. It impacts EVERYTHING.)
So here's what I've been brewing: The Creativity Lab
Instead of consuming more information, imagine a private space where you can practice giving language to creative challenges, bounce off ideas, work through the middle-stretch of creative projects together, and expect breakthroughs. Informal and potent.
We’ll meet for four weeks in September. Early fall, back-to-school energy.
Two cohorts, 8 people each. Small and intimate. This will be a space where you can share openly without being in a huge group or recorded.
In addition to meeting live four times, we’ll also have additional, silent creative working time together so that you know that you have at least one hour a week to yourself blocked out.
So... how does this land for you?!
I’m sending you this email like:
If you know you want to learn more (or if you’re already in), I invite you to feel into this opportunity by exploring The Creativity Lab page.
If this sounds fun, please tell me what would help make it ideal for you! Seriously, please tell me:
Adding your thoughts in the survey doesn't mean you have to join. It helps me shape upcoming writings, audios, and potentially free workshops, too.
Doors open on July 8—that’s in five days—to people who are on the waitlist.
There are only 8 spots in each cohort, so if you’re interested in hearing more, please add your name to the waitlist by clicking here.
I really hope to see you there.
More soon!
Maggy
PS: This is exactly the kind of thing that’s great to do with a friend. Forward this on if it makes you think of anyone who could use a practice space to move through creative resistance and perfectionism.