I mentioned in my last post that I had a day where I wrote several blog posts and some other work related writing projects for work. Today, as I write this, it’s Friday April 23. I’ve written three other blog posts this week, one for Better Me (not counting this one) and two for my role at the university. Now I’m writing this and this afternoon I’m recording two episodes of the Better Me Podcast.
With all of this “content creation” I’ve been reminded just how much I enjoy, well, creating content.
I first noticed this almost thirty years ago. I distinctly remember working on some piece of writing, typing away on my Brother word processor (it printed one page at a time and I had to feed each sheet individually) and having the sense that I wasn’t typing, I was making music. It was like I was at a piano, playing some flowing piece of music. I don’t play piano, but I imagine that that’s what it feels like when you’re really good.
I don’t know that my writing was any good, but the feeling was. I was definitely in what many creative people, and psychologists, call “flow”. Inspiration was driving me, words tumbled out through my fingers, and into the machine.
This feeling doesn’t happen every time I create something, but probably a majority of the time. When I record a good conversation with a podcast guest it can feel like that. When I’ve given a good talk as part of a workshop or conference it can feel like that. I don’t know when it will happen, but even if the chance was small (which it’s not) I’d keep making time to create because I might feel that flow, that music.
For you, this feeling may come from writing or painting or making music. It might come from running or cycling. Maybe it shows up when you’re cooking or gardening. It might be there when you’re around people you love. Find it. Make time for it. Feel it.
