Well, you must know that we are all there with you with those guests in our Guesthouse (thanks Rumi). I recently came across this: When someone asked William Stafford how he managed to write a poem every day, he said, “ I just lower my standards!”
I think this couple gets around! I’ve hosted them several times myself. - What I often find is that their visit comes before a period of great creativity.
All we can do is continue to be as open and honest about when Mr. I and Mrs. P are with us. You are never alone when they visit, but they can definitely feel overwhelming at times. We all have visits from them. Keep doing your amazing work. It's worth it.
Hmmm I wonder if Mrs P and Mr I have twins as they've been hanging around at my house for months!! This is a brilliant article looking at inner conflict when it comes to creativity... I do love the way you've creatively brought these two characters to life Susanne, yet what you say is so true.
I find myself doing all sorts of useful tasks to avoid sitting down and actually getting my act together and writing something, my partner calls it my 'circling the basket' a bit like a dog does! Then when I write I find myself doubting everything about it...especially the posts that seem to get the most positive feedback, it's strange isn't it.
Here's hoping your visitors take the hint soon and give you back the space to create freely again.
On a separate note - the photos are great, you always get lovely tones in your b&w work. That tree half alive half dead is a beauty!!
"Circling the basket" - I love that. It totally makes sense and is a lovely way to describe it.
I would like to say though, I admire your writing from the moment you shared your first post. No reason for doubts (says the person who deleted a photo that got over 2000 likes in Notes because she was terrified! 😂)
Thank you, as always, for your kind feedback on my writing and photos. I really appreciate you taking the time!
The tree was amazing - so strong although obviously struggling!
And thank you too Susanne for all of your support, it means a lot to me. Oh my goodness 2000 likes - isn't it funny how we go into fear and denial at the hint of creating something successful. Just keep on doing what you're doing because you are such a creative soul.😊
They really get around, they visited me this week too. To the point of absolute abject despair. What is heartening though, is seeing so many people in your comments who get it. Proof that we're all in this big beautiful messy creative life together. x
Boy, they do get around! They are often accompanied with their daughter, Miss Anxiety, and son, Master Depression. Luckily as I've got older I am better at telling them they've outstayed their welcome.
This couple must have doppelgängers because they are both sitting in my living room at this very moment. They are often quietly cruel, which for some reason feels more painful than shouting. I am trying to push through, though, and I hope you are too. Seeing your words and images in my inbox always brings a sense of calm and creativity. Keep going.
I am sorry they are bothering you now. I find them quite passive aggressive. I am glad to hear you push through. I did the same thing and they have disappeared for now! I hope they will leave you soon too! ♥️
Probably everyone can recognise themselves in this. However, I would suggest that they are not uninvited guests at all. They are actually here because we want them to appear and protect us from things where we feel incomplete:)
Realizing now that Mr. I’s been hanging around my house, too, and he’s brought his brother, Mr. W (as in, Why?, and What’s it Worth?) along. Why bother to write, when so much has already been written? Why add to the noise of over-production, when it seems there’s a book for everything and everything’s already been said? What’s your meager words worth, in the face of great writers and those who have [fill in the blank] more than you?
I know these guys very well, but they are just there because you are actually doing meaningful, important work. Important and meaningful for you, and those who follow you. You've been a great source of inspiration for me, and, well, I won't go into details about my life, but let's say I found out about a medical issue last November, and reading you helped me move forward and reinvest myself in what mattered most to me: writing and taking photographs. And, thanks to you, I decided to launch a second newsletter in December, dedicated to my photos.
I'm telling you this so you know that, first, you're not alone, and most importantly, you should not let these feelings bother you. They know too well how to distract you from your true self.
Oh wow, Philippe! I don't know what to say. Thank you for sharing this with me. You have no idea how much your words mean to me. I try to create work and write about things here that are meaningful to me, but knowing it has such an impact on someone else gives this newsletter a whole new purpose and meaning.
I am sorry about your medical issues. But I am glad that you have your writing and photography. I know from experience how healing it can be to have a creative outlet.
It is good to know I am not alone with this and that many creatives can relate. I think acknowledging those feelings and respecting them for what they are is important. Writing about Mr. I and Mrs. P helped me a lot. I didn't expect that. But it quieted them tremendously.
Thanks again for taking the time to share this with me.
All the best for you as well!
No, I gotta have to check out your photography newsletter! =)
Hey, love your analogy Susanne. It's such a poetic way of looking at them. I guess we can only learn how to live with such uncomfortable guests as long as their presence doesn't obscure the light.
I think accepting them as who they are and listening to them to a certain degree can be a good thing. But finding the right moment to show them the door is just as crucial...
I am curious how much they relate to ego and expectations, especially when one exists in the heads of other people. The main way I deal with it is by treating things as an experiment: Let's see what happens.
You are asking the right question. I think there is a big correlation between them and my own expectations and my leaning towards perfectionism.
I like your approach. I am doing that too - allowing myself to just play and see where it will lead me. I think they tend to show up when things get a bit more serious...
Well, you must know that we are all there with you with those guests in our Guesthouse (thanks Rumi). I recently came across this: When someone asked William Stafford how he managed to write a poem every day, he said, “ I just lower my standards!”
Haha, what a great answer! I am not sure what is more difficult though: lower my standards or having Mr. I and Mrs. P around.
I think this couple gets around! I’ve hosted them several times myself. - What I often find is that their visit comes before a period of great creativity.
That is good to know! 😃
All we can do is continue to be as open and honest about when Mr. I and Mrs. P are with us. You are never alone when they visit, but they can definitely feel overwhelming at times. We all have visits from them. Keep doing your amazing work. It's worth it.
Thank you for the encouragement, Trevor! It is needed and appreciated!
Hmmm I wonder if Mrs P and Mr I have twins as they've been hanging around at my house for months!! This is a brilliant article looking at inner conflict when it comes to creativity... I do love the way you've creatively brought these two characters to life Susanne, yet what you say is so true.
I find myself doing all sorts of useful tasks to avoid sitting down and actually getting my act together and writing something, my partner calls it my 'circling the basket' a bit like a dog does! Then when I write I find myself doubting everything about it...especially the posts that seem to get the most positive feedback, it's strange isn't it.
Here's hoping your visitors take the hint soon and give you back the space to create freely again.
On a separate note - the photos are great, you always get lovely tones in your b&w work. That tree half alive half dead is a beauty!!
"Circling the basket" - I love that. It totally makes sense and is a lovely way to describe it.
I would like to say though, I admire your writing from the moment you shared your first post. No reason for doubts (says the person who deleted a photo that got over 2000 likes in Notes because she was terrified! 😂)
Thank you, as always, for your kind feedback on my writing and photos. I really appreciate you taking the time!
The tree was amazing - so strong although obviously struggling!
And thank you too Susanne for all of your support, it means a lot to me. Oh my goodness 2000 likes - isn't it funny how we go into fear and denial at the hint of creating something successful. Just keep on doing what you're doing because you are such a creative soul.😊
They really get around, they visited me this week too. To the point of absolute abject despair. What is heartening though, is seeing so many people in your comments who get it. Proof that we're all in this big beautiful messy creative life together. x
At least I can always be certain they will leave again at some point. I wish I knew what makes their departure come quicker, though.
Thank you for your comment!
Boy, they do get around! They are often accompanied with their daughter, Miss Anxiety, and son, Master Depression. Luckily as I've got older I am better at telling them they've outstayed their welcome.
I wish I could say the same - I still have work on telling them to leave...
:) I love the way you have written this Susanne! Most of us can relate. Lovely images.
Thanks! Happy you like it, Shital! It is a bit different, but it felt right. And I was certain people could relate!
You are smarter and more creative than either of those guests.
Thank you, Patris!
What a great way to talk about this!!! Bravo Susanne.
Thank you, Donn! I was journaling about struggling to write my next newsletter when I thought, why not make it the topic?
I am glad you like it!
After an insanely busy week...I came back for a second read and viewing. Love this and the images.🖤📷
That is so kind of you! It means a lot that you came back for another look. Thank you!!
This couple must have doppelgängers because they are both sitting in my living room at this very moment. They are often quietly cruel, which for some reason feels more painful than shouting. I am trying to push through, though, and I hope you are too. Seeing your words and images in my inbox always brings a sense of calm and creativity. Keep going.
I am sorry they are bothering you now. I find them quite passive aggressive. I am glad to hear you push through. I did the same thing and they have disappeared for now! I hope they will leave you soon too! ♥️
Probably everyone can recognise themselves in this. However, I would suggest that they are not uninvited guests at all. They are actually here because we want them to appear and protect us from things where we feel incomplete:)
Not sure whether I really want them to appear, but I feel more and more that they seem to be part of the creative process...
Realizing now that Mr. I’s been hanging around my house, too, and he’s brought his brother, Mr. W (as in, Why?, and What’s it Worth?) along. Why bother to write, when so much has already been written? Why add to the noise of over-production, when it seems there’s a book for everything and everything’s already been said? What’s your meager words worth, in the face of great writers and those who have [fill in the blank] more than you?
Oh, yes! I have been confronted with those question many times, too!
Dear Susanne,
I know these guys very well, but they are just there because you are actually doing meaningful, important work. Important and meaningful for you, and those who follow you. You've been a great source of inspiration for me, and, well, I won't go into details about my life, but let's say I found out about a medical issue last November, and reading you helped me move forward and reinvest myself in what mattered most to me: writing and taking photographs. And, thanks to you, I decided to launch a second newsletter in December, dedicated to my photos.
I'm telling you this so you know that, first, you're not alone, and most importantly, you should not let these feelings bother you. They know too well how to distract you from your true self.
Best,
Philippe
Oh wow, Philippe! I don't know what to say. Thank you for sharing this with me. You have no idea how much your words mean to me. I try to create work and write about things here that are meaningful to me, but knowing it has such an impact on someone else gives this newsletter a whole new purpose and meaning.
I am sorry about your medical issues. But I am glad that you have your writing and photography. I know from experience how healing it can be to have a creative outlet.
It is good to know I am not alone with this and that many creatives can relate. I think acknowledging those feelings and respecting them for what they are is important. Writing about Mr. I and Mrs. P helped me a lot. I didn't expect that. But it quieted them tremendously.
Thanks again for taking the time to share this with me.
All the best for you as well!
No, I gotta have to check out your photography newsletter! =)
Hey, love your analogy Susanne. It's such a poetic way of looking at them. I guess we can only learn how to live with such uncomfortable guests as long as their presence doesn't obscure the light.
I think accepting them as who they are and listening to them to a certain degree can be a good thing. But finding the right moment to show them the door is just as crucial...
I am curious how much they relate to ego and expectations, especially when one exists in the heads of other people. The main way I deal with it is by treating things as an experiment: Let's see what happens.
You are asking the right question. I think there is a big correlation between them and my own expectations and my leaning towards perfectionism.
I like your approach. I am doing that too - allowing myself to just play and see where it will lead me. I think they tend to show up when things get a bit more serious...