I make coffee most mornings, first thing in the morning.
I roll out of bed, straight to the coffee maker and with still-blurry eyes, make a pot.
Today was different. Today I rolled out of bed to the store because we were out of coffee.
Decidedly not as fun.
True confession: something like this can throw off my whole morning, sometimes day. I need a morning routine. I need to roll out of bed, make coffee, sit in the sun, read, journal. I need that time, that space of no-thing.
Without that space I can lack clarity, calm and the ability to create.
Without that space, I am easily hijacked. By social media, laundry, a text asking me to pay a bill. I get hijacked and I lose connection to myself. Suddenly, unconsciously, I’m down the rabbit hole of what new pillow to buy so I don’t wake up with a crick in my neck.
This hijacking is a huge danger to creativity.
So much of creativity is getting yourself in a position to receive. To listen. Butt in chair, as Anne Lamott says. And our world is loud. Creating this kind of receptive space is a big fuck you to our loud world. It has to be intentional. I’m talking double birds. If the world gets its claws in me before I’ve made intentions around my day, I’m fucked. Buying pillows.
As artists/writers/creators/makers, we have to carve out space. It’s not a nice-to-have. It’s a non-negotiable.
Like I said — Make it a routine
Block it off on your calendar and for god’s sake don’t schedule over it. Friend calls to ask you for a favor? No. Colleague wants to meet up for coffee? No. You know that arcade game, Fruit Ninja? If it conflicts with this time on your calendar, slice.
Block out distraction as if your life depends on it
I can’t remember a time when I had the sound on on my phone. Sound is always off. Notifications are almost all off. Create the conditions where you are in control. You decide when the phone gets your attention, not the other way around. Leave the phone in another room. Close the door. Lock it if you have to. Noise cancelling headphones. Get them. Wear them. Keep Out sign for the door. Hang it.
Create actual, physical space
I am not one for making art in the kitchen. The kitchen is for cooking, which I do not enjoy. I don’t need that bad juju when I’m making art. I need a space that is energetically set up for my success. Full of things I love, am inspired by, feel good around. A desk, a corner of a room, whatever it is — dedicate it to creating and only creating. This is sacred is shit.
Make sure you have the things you need
What are your tools? Ergonomic chair? Flair pens? Cutting mat? New speakers? Scanner? What do you need? Please get these things. Or save up for them and get them. Make a trade, barter, do what you gotta do so that you have what you need. This is important.
I, for one, am going to make sure I always have coffee in the house. Cheers!