The power of limitation
Lovable jerks, poetry, and chin faces
Thanks for sitting with me AT THE KIDS TABLE.
I’m sure you’re hungry, so let’s eat!
The appetizer
It feels right that my first picture book recommendation for this feast-themed newsletter is CHEZ BOB by Bob Shea (best title ever!). It’s about a lazy alligator who opens a bird restaurant on his nose so he can eat his customers. There’s a laugh (or more) on every page. You’ll fall in love with this scheming alligator; no one does the lovable jerk quite like Bob Shea. Read my full review here.
The entree
The blank page used to terrify me. With no boundaries, no problems to solve, and no bite-size pieces, all the possibilities felt way too overwhelming.
So I procrastinated. The problem was that 1) my process was driven by fear instead of joy, 2) I struggled to be playful, and 3) there wasn’t much time for revision. Basically I was trapped in a cycle of fear that sucked the fun right out of creativity.
Until I discovered the power of limitation.
After I graduated from college, no one gave me assignments anymore, and I didn’t have any motivating deadlines. For a procrastinator, this meant I wasn’t getting anything done. My soul ached for something creative. Out of sheer necessity, I gave MYSELF an assignment: write one poem per day.
I had no idea that poetry would pave the way for my entire creative future by teaching me the power of limitation. By restricting myself to a certain meter, rhyme scheme, or theme, I could overcome the fear of the blank page EVERY TIME!
Instead of a looming pile of endless possibilities, my creative projects became a series of manageable problems to solve.
Now I approach each new project like a poem. What are the rules? What are the limitations? What are the problems to solve? The answers don’t come all at once as the creative process is necessary to reveal them. BUT starting with a tiny manageable piece makes the blank page less terrifying and more exciting.
So…if you ever feel stuck, give yourself some rules. Or simply write a poem :)
How has limitation helped you in your work?
The dessert
As a kid, I loved making silly videos with my friends, so I decided to honor my inner child by starting this newsletter with one of my favorite skits: chin faces.
Check out the instructions here.
Watch me embarrass myself and my chin here.
Is anyone missing from the table today? Invite them to the creative feast!
b.y.o.j.b.
Bring your own juice box is your invitation to share something (in the comments) with everyone else at the kid’s table. It’s basically that special moment when you trade your dad’s famous chocolate chip cookies for your favorite fruit snacks.
You could share:
A favorite book, movie, or song
Your answer to my entree question
Something you’re excited about or proud of this week
Questions, feedback, or ideas
A surprise
I can’t wait to see what you bring!
Last but not least, guess who’s wearing these shoes?
This week’s clue: Someone who fits the bill.
I post the answer every Wednesday on Instagram and Twitter.
Thanks for stopping by! I’ll save you a spot next week AT THE KIDS TABLE.
See you then,
Rachel
I LOVED this post so much. I was just thinking about why I procrastinate so much and how it is based on fear and not laziness. I loved this perspective. How do you find time for creativity?