Good point, and it makes me think of the oyster-pearl analogy: pearls come into being as a response to an irritant. When a foreign substance enters an oyster’s shell, the oyster instinctively coats it with layers of nacre—the same material that forms its shell. Over time, this process transforms the irritation into a luminous pearl, a stunning creation that owes its existence to an initial disturbance.
My new boss at work has a maxim of get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It's a challenge in itself but where's the fun in things being easy? Isn't trying to make things easier a sort of evasion? Like planning the plan? Or is that a very English approach of grin and bear it? If people at work put as much energy in trying the new approach as opposing it they could join the 'do mighty things' club (Joint Propulsion Lab motto)
Spot on, Chris. I have this quote on a post-it note. Don't know the author. "Everything important is uncertain. Sitting with the discomfort of that is the hard part."
Thank you for sharing Chris! You made me think about Csikszentmihalyi's research on flow states and that it requires two ingredients: an aroused state (that is not a relaxed state) and the task itself being a challenge (that is not something that's easy to do). I think writing first nicely here (ambiguity, fear of failure) - and once you get in a flow, you can carry on for a long time! But getting into flow isn't easy and that's there creating the right conditions (and ideally developing a habit so there's less struggle to get started) comes in.
Hey Alicja - I think writing like many creative acts can induce a flow state I totally agree. However, Just because we're not in a flow state (or are stuck), doesn't necessarily mean we're doing anything wrong either. I see that the creative process involves both 'states' if you see what I mean. Thanks so much for your kind note.
Fair point! I like to think of flow like a holy grail - something to strive for and hope it happens but with no guarantees that it will... And if you're not in a flow, it doesn't mean you're doing it wrong (same applies to meditation practices).
I haven't read your newsletter in quite a while. They have been getting lost in the mounts of emails. But this morning your new newsletter was very prominently placed in my inbox. And this topic hit me. It's exactly my issue what you're describing and your insights are very helpful and come at the right point in time.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you. This is really helpful. I can’t give up writing because it would be giving up life. But I’ve never thought to embrace the discomfort. I just always assume there’s something wrong with me.
Thanks for your kind note Emma. While I think 'embracing' the discomfort will always be hard, gently learning to accept that we're not doing anything wrong because we experience it might be the way to go.
There is something intangible, magical and otherworldly about the process of writing that can’t be neatly boxed. But this piece did cause me to reflect on what DOES hold me back from writing if not those things? And it’s really hard to rationalise because it’s so intricately emotional 😭
Good point, and it makes me think of the oyster-pearl analogy: pearls come into being as a response to an irritant. When a foreign substance enters an oyster’s shell, the oyster instinctively coats it with layers of nacre—the same material that forms its shell. Over time, this process transforms the irritation into a luminous pearl, a stunning creation that owes its existence to an initial disturbance.
What a lovely analogy - thanks for sharing Fanen :)
My new boss at work has a maxim of get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It's a challenge in itself but where's the fun in things being easy? Isn't trying to make things easier a sort of evasion? Like planning the plan? Or is that a very English approach of grin and bear it? If people at work put as much energy in trying the new approach as opposing it they could join the 'do mighty things' club (Joint Propulsion Lab motto)
Hi Moi - love the motto! Thanks so much for sharing :)
I agree with your boss's motto, Moi. I've found in life that the most rewarding things worth doing are hard.
Spot on, Chris. I have this quote on a post-it note. Don't know the author. "Everything important is uncertain. Sitting with the discomfort of that is the hard part."
Agree Nancy - thanks for your note.
Thank you for sharing Chris! You made me think about Csikszentmihalyi's research on flow states and that it requires two ingredients: an aroused state (that is not a relaxed state) and the task itself being a challenge (that is not something that's easy to do). I think writing first nicely here (ambiguity, fear of failure) - and once you get in a flow, you can carry on for a long time! But getting into flow isn't easy and that's there creating the right conditions (and ideally developing a habit so there's less struggle to get started) comes in.
Hey Alicja - I think writing like many creative acts can induce a flow state I totally agree. However, Just because we're not in a flow state (or are stuck), doesn't necessarily mean we're doing anything wrong either. I see that the creative process involves both 'states' if you see what I mean. Thanks so much for your kind note.
Fair point! I like to think of flow like a holy grail - something to strive for and hope it happens but with no guarantees that it will... And if you're not in a flow, it doesn't mean you're doing it wrong (same applies to meditation practices).
I haven't read your newsletter in quite a while. They have been getting lost in the mounts of emails. But this morning your new newsletter was very prominently placed in my inbox. And this topic hit me. It's exactly my issue what you're describing and your insights are very helpful and come at the right point in time.
Super - so pleased this helped Manuela :)
Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you. This is really helpful. I can’t give up writing because it would be giving up life. But I’ve never thought to embrace the discomfort. I just always assume there’s something wrong with me.
Thanks for your kind note Emma. While I think 'embracing' the discomfort will always be hard, gently learning to accept that we're not doing anything wrong because we experience it might be the way to go.
Yes. Thank you Chris.
There is something intangible, magical and otherworldly about the process of writing that can’t be neatly boxed. But this piece did cause me to reflect on what DOES hold me back from writing if not those things? And it’s really hard to rationalise because it’s so intricately emotional 😭