On Creativity

“Stop treating your creativity like it’s a tired, old, unhappy marriage"

From Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert:

“Stop treating your creativity like it’s a tired, old, unhappy marriage and start regarding it with the fresh eyes of a passionate lover. Sneak off and have an affair with your most creative self. Lie to everyone about where you’re actually going on your lunch break.

Pretend you’re traveling on a business trip when secretly you’re retreating in order to paint or to write poetry. Conceal it from your family and friends, whatever it is you’re up to. Slip away from everyone else at the party and go dance alone with your ideas in the dark. Wake yourself up in the middle of the night in order to be alone with your inspiration, while nobody is watching. You don’t need to sleep right now, you can give it up.

​What else are you willing to give up in order to be alone with your beloved?”