One of the blessings/curses of being a writer is that there really is no clear off switch to the creative mind. I am completely passionate about making compelling art, and that passion never leaves me. Like, even when I am out dancing with friends and very in the moment, there’s still that second mind that’s open to inspiration and actively sending out feelers. I love challenging my mind to craft and stay sharp and witty. I will often play writing craft challenges in my mind. “How would I describe dancing to this music and being in this room to someone not here?”
And let’s not forget the ever present pressure, internal and external, to produce! When people hear you are a writer, boy do they love asking, “So how’s the writing coming?” each and every time they see you! I sometimes feel like there’s a cultural archetype that you must torture yourself in order to be considered a true artist. But that is a horrible and dangerous lie.
So, what do I do to relax from the ever constant need to craft, create, and produce? For me, I am blessed with some intimate friends that know me unrelated to being a writer. When I am able to really get away with them, I feel myself beyond my role as a writer.
At least once a year I go to Vegas with my childhood best friend, Erica. These trips are like a power up for me as I drop in to being alive on all cylinders. I feel this on an even more intense level. When I visit Burning Man each year. There I am just in my skin, not worried about, oh, I should be getting articles published or doing more to my podcast. I am grateful for when my soul feels safe enough to explore the world beyond the confines of needing to produce to prove my value to the world.
