A really nice drawing, Tania. If you do choose ot share those drawings on your Substack, that might be a good way to make posting feel less like a To-Do and more like sharing art of the sake of sharing art.
I just write when I’m inspired or have the need to share or teach. There’s no pressure anymore. Being an essayist is easier than being a novelist. I hope you do keep writing though. And share with us your art. Please.
Everything is artificial if it is forced. I admire you your decision making to prioritize your own passions. That’s being genuine and authentic to self.
Tania, I can understand the sense of obligation, even as I have also stepped back to find my own rhythm. I cannot allow such artificial obligations to overwhelm my sense of peace and of artistic expression. Some people on Substack can post regularly. Some can try (I did), but find it tiring. I did.
That being said, being on a regular routine can rob one of seeing beauty and feeling joy. This is important now, more than ever. It is so wonderful that there are so many avenues of artistic and creative expression. For me, listening to the birds vocalize and hearing their wings flutter is every bit as creative as anything that I can write. And there is communication of emotion and feelings. This is Art. How it is done is less important than that it is done.
Thank you Janice! I truly enjoy your writing and look forward to each newsletter. Sounds like you are heading the other direction but if you ever get up to Mystic, a visit would be fun.
I am not sure why there is so much emphasis on posting weekly... if it comes naturally and you can do it, then fine, but if you can't... what's worse? to miss a week or two, or to weekly write superficial and empty stuff because you have nothing real to say in that moment? I was super stressed when I skipped a week for the first time. And you know what happened? Nothing happened. When I did post again, it was a proper post I was happy with and I got the same amount of views and opens as before.
Those that really enjoy your writing will be here when you post. And if sharing your art is what feels true now, then that's what you should do. Some readers may leave and others will come.
You must do what feels true and honest to you. If you post for the sake of posting, you will lose yourself.
I realized my weekly posting schedule was self-imposed. However, I'm not as passionate about writing as I had hoped. I didn't write for over 2 months and haven't missed it.
Dear Tania, I hear you on the To Do List feelings. I just read a book on To Be not To Do. When a person's emotions don't match what they are truly feeling then I agree we have to change direction or course of action. Art comes in many forms and creativity only comes when we honestly open ourselves up to those many forms we have as gifts. I think you are a writer, but you weren't enjoying it as much as you had hoped for. No worries that's why we have a variety of choices in life. Once a communicator always a communicator. That is a quote from my old high school counselor lol. Stay in touch and words aren't the only way to express our thoughts. Happy exploring, Barbara
However you choose to share, may it never feel like a to-do. Congratulations for recognizing this and leaning toward that which feels most true and enlivening Tania.
I'm not really a writer either. I joined substack to exercise that muscle and decided the best way to do that was to post my pictures in draft and then write about them in the spaces between. This model seems to serve me well. I'm not passionate about writing. I'm passionate about photography. I don't set out to write a piece, but I photograph because I have to and when I look back at my photos, they stir things in me. I have no expectations for what I write or that I will write at all, and am usually surprised by the words that come out. If a theme develops it may suggest a title or a subtitle. I may shuffle the order and do quite a bit of editing of words to build a cohesive narrative. I post fairly often only because otherwise I will fall behind on the photography, not because I need to fill a schedule or to satiate my subscribers appetite. I write to myself like I am a separate person from myself and I'm explaining to myself the things I have a hard time verbalizing or understanding within me. My only rule is to be honest and to try not to ramble too much. If people like it, that's fine, but I do it for my own benefit, like a cow would ruminate grass. Drop your expectations of yourself and let your expressions of sacred environment be what they want to be.
Thank you so much for this John! I appreciate you taking the time. This little tidbit is really helpful: "I write to myself like I am a separate person from myself and I'm explaining to myself the things I have a hard time verbalizing or understanding within me."
I'm so behind on my inbox! Sorry I missed this. I for one would love to see your artwork here. There's a pretty robust audience for visual art here, from what I can tell. Meanwhile, enjoy your time outside. 💚
A really nice drawing, Tania. If you do choose ot share those drawings on your Substack, that might be a good way to make posting feel less like a To-Do and more like sharing art of the sake of sharing art.
Thank you Neil! I love this: “for the sake of sharing art.”
I just write when I’m inspired or have the need to share or teach. There’s no pressure anymore. Being an essayist is easier than being a novelist. I hope you do keep writing though. And share with us your art. Please.
Thanks for the reminder Robert! I don't need a schedule, that was self-imposed.
Everything is artificial if it is forced. I admire you your decision making to prioritize your own passions. That’s being genuine and authentic to self.
Thank you.
Tania, I can understand the sense of obligation, even as I have also stepped back to find my own rhythm. I cannot allow such artificial obligations to overwhelm my sense of peace and of artistic expression. Some people on Substack can post regularly. Some can try (I did), but find it tiring. I did.
That being said, being on a regular routine can rob one of seeing beauty and feeling joy. This is important now, more than ever. It is so wonderful that there are so many avenues of artistic and creative expression. For me, listening to the birds vocalize and hearing their wings flutter is every bit as creative as anything that I can write. And there is communication of emotion and feelings. This is Art. How it is done is less important than that it is done.
Thank you Perry! This 100% -> "being on a regular routine can rob one of seeing beauty and feeling joy"
I have truly enjoyed our connection and look forward to seeing what you do next. The charcoal you shared is very special and fabulous!
Best of everything to you Tania. ❤️ Way to follow your heart. J
Thank you Janice! I truly enjoy your writing and look forward to each newsletter. Sounds like you are heading the other direction but if you ever get up to Mystic, a visit would be fun.
Welcome back, Tania!
I am not sure why there is so much emphasis on posting weekly... if it comes naturally and you can do it, then fine, but if you can't... what's worse? to miss a week or two, or to weekly write superficial and empty stuff because you have nothing real to say in that moment? I was super stressed when I skipped a week for the first time. And you know what happened? Nothing happened. When I did post again, it was a proper post I was happy with and I got the same amount of views and opens as before.
Those that really enjoy your writing will be here when you post. And if sharing your art is what feels true now, then that's what you should do. Some readers may leave and others will come.
You must do what feels true and honest to you. If you post for the sake of posting, you will lose yourself.
My 2 cents, for what it's worth ;)
I realized my weekly posting schedule was self-imposed. However, I'm not as passionate about writing as I had hoped. I didn't write for over 2 months and haven't missed it.
Dear Tania, I hear you on the To Do List feelings. I just read a book on To Be not To Do. When a person's emotions don't match what they are truly feeling then I agree we have to change direction or course of action. Art comes in many forms and creativity only comes when we honestly open ourselves up to those many forms we have as gifts. I think you are a writer, but you weren't enjoying it as much as you had hoped for. No worries that's why we have a variety of choices in life. Once a communicator always a communicator. That is a quote from my old high school counselor lol. Stay in touch and words aren't the only way to express our thoughts. Happy exploring, Barbara
Thank you Barbara! There are moments when I miss making the bracelets 😁
Tania, you could always go back to another version of the bracelets. I wear mine proudly thanks to you!
Oh, 10 years was enough 😊
lol I hear you :)!
Beautiful sketch Tania … keep doing what you’re doing ! Art, words … it all makes sense and holds meaning
For others.
Thank you Karen!
I absolutely love your drawing.
Thank you so much John!
I hope you continue here by using it as a platform to share artwork and make connections.
Thank you Deborah. Yes, I'm sticking around 😊 I love the connection and community.
I am so pleased!
However you choose to share, may it never feel like a to-do. Congratulations for recognizing this and leaning toward that which feels most true and enlivening Tania.
I'm not really a writer either. I joined substack to exercise that muscle and decided the best way to do that was to post my pictures in draft and then write about them in the spaces between. This model seems to serve me well. I'm not passionate about writing. I'm passionate about photography. I don't set out to write a piece, but I photograph because I have to and when I look back at my photos, they stir things in me. I have no expectations for what I write or that I will write at all, and am usually surprised by the words that come out. If a theme develops it may suggest a title or a subtitle. I may shuffle the order and do quite a bit of editing of words to build a cohesive narrative. I post fairly often only because otherwise I will fall behind on the photography, not because I need to fill a schedule or to satiate my subscribers appetite. I write to myself like I am a separate person from myself and I'm explaining to myself the things I have a hard time verbalizing or understanding within me. My only rule is to be honest and to try not to ramble too much. If people like it, that's fine, but I do it for my own benefit, like a cow would ruminate grass. Drop your expectations of yourself and let your expressions of sacred environment be what they want to be.
Thank you so much for this John! I appreciate you taking the time. This little tidbit is really helpful: "I write to myself like I am a separate person from myself and I'm explaining to myself the things I have a hard time verbalizing or understanding within me."
I'm so behind on my inbox! Sorry I missed this. I for one would love to see your artwork here. There's a pretty robust audience for visual art here, from what I can tell. Meanwhile, enjoy your time outside. 💚