Acts of creative kindness can be really powerful. They are great to receive but the feeling you get from helping another troubled creative soul is pretty special.
I recently experienced a bad writing day. It didn’t start well and turned into a day of battling against negativity and self-doubt. So I took immediate action. I stuffed some chocolate into my mouth, drew some dark shadowy figures in my diary, sulked on the loo and had a strong coffee.
I managed to recover some of the day, but I still wasn’t feeling the creative love. Half of me wanted to write the day off as a ‘bad day’ and just forget it.
Then I received a cry for help from one of my creative friends, who was struggling to make sense of a project. She was lost in the detail and desperately needed a fresh pair of eyes to help make sense of it.
So I put down my project and went to her aid.
I told myself “just because I am having a bad and unsalvageable writing day, it doesn’t mean I can’t help turn around someone else’s day!”
We talked it through and it was like another part of my brain came alive. I got out a pencil, some paper and drew a chart. We then went through each bit of her project and used the chart to plot out the different elements.
Some time later and our impressive looking chart had solved her issue. She went away happy and I went back to my draft novel feeling refreshed and energised.
Helping my creative friend changed my bad writing day:
- I was able to use a different part of my brain, which I think is great to do when you are stuck on a mammoth project like writing a book.
- The buzz I got from helping someone else gave me some confidence and a nice feeling inside.
- Going back to basics with a pencil and a piece of paper did something for me. I know it sounds silly but I went back to feeling like I was actually creating something. This is what being a creative person is all about. It is really easy to lose sight of this when you are just typing into a laptop for hours on end.
- I felt like I had a made a difference to someone else’s writing day.
So, the next time you are having a bad writing day, see if you can perform an act of creative kindness for another troubled soul. It can be big or small.
The important thing is you reach out.
Acts of creative kindness are good for the soul.
Have a great day!
If you are still having a bad day after all this listen to my free podcast ‘The Diary of Roxy Collins’ – Roxy’s dating adventures and motherhood issues will definitely bring a smile to your face.
What a great idea Lucy!
Thx Ritu – happy Monday!
You too hun! Xx
Taking a break away from a project can be as good as meditating! Helping others is a fabulous way to do that. LOVE that you sulk on the loo too 😉
I think it’s a new way forward for bad writing days! Sulking on the loo does it for me!
It works both ways, doesn’t it? I really love helping where I can, and I am always amazed at the generosity of other writers. We are (on the whole) a very kind lot! Long may it last.
Yes we are! There is a lot of love and support out there 🙂 I can’t wait to read your new book Carol!
Nice one Lucy, I know where to come if I need help. You can also ping me if you get to a dark place… Don’t suffer!
Have s great Monday! ☺
Thanks Simon and vice versa 🙂
Hope you’re ok, sorry I can’t catch up with you much…
All good here – enjoying myself with the people in my head 🙂
You must have a lot of people in there, I bet it’s busy. Is Roxy in charge in there or does it change?
It really does help, i am certainly going to try this next time my brain is stuck.
Yes it does and best of luck 🙂
Sounds like a combination of things worked for you. There is something extra creative about holding a pen or pencil. The only problem I have these days is that I can’t read what I’ve written. As for the helping others, it’s a bit like (but not quite) that old saying that the best way to learn is to teach. It does reignite the creative flame, doesn’t it?
Great post, Lucy, with some terrific imagery – though I’ll try to blank out the one of you sitting on the loo.
Hey Graeme, I don’t know what has happened to me this week but in Thursday’s post I am going to be mentioning loos again. I think my blogging days are going downhill…thx for reading.
So glad you didn’t say “down the pan”…
LOL!!! That made me smile 🙂
Wonderful story! Would love to be able to help someone as well (I’m facing tough writing days lately). I have to find a creative friend in my time zone.😊
Have a great week Lucy!
Hey Kimberly! I hope you find someone in your time zone. Happy Tuesday!
Funny how timely your post was. I was facing a bad weekend and a busy week but went along to my first writing group here in the UK on Sunday. I was a bit cross when I got there and saw that of the 5 who had registered, only one person other than myself had bothered to show up. I could have stamped off, but instead we just sat down and gave each other feedback and it ended up being a very good session indeed.
You are in the UK?? I am in the UK! We are ‘UK Writer friends’ now. Glad your session turned out ok 🙂
Completely agree. It doesn’t always work out that someone needs your help right when you need help, but, when it does, it’s magic. Seriously. It’s easier to help others than ourselves and, when we do, it often resets our mind/attitude/confidence.
Hey Lemon Shark – you are right about timing but it is magical when it works out..
Yay for acts of kindness 😀
Yay to acts of Twitter kinds – thx for the tweet 🙂
Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
Thank you 🙂
Thank you!
I really like this post! It’s so true how helping someone else makes our brains start to work again. Thanks for the reminder!
Hey – thx for reading – happy Tuesday!
Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog.
I will echo everyone else and say how lovely this post is, Lucy 🙂 Helping others is a nice thing to do, definitely, and will always lift the mood.
Hey Helen, you have been on my mind..you book is marvellous!
Wow, thanks Lucy! Really glad you think so xx
Tomorrow I am linking to your blog in my post. Hope you don’t mind. Your book inspired a post so have linked to you and book.
Thanks, Lucy – now I’m intrigued! No, I don’t mind at all, let me know if you need me to send you any links 🙂
Have linked to your Amazon book page. I love the post so have much creative love for your book ☺️
Thanks, Lucy, that means a great deal 🙂 Really pleased you love the book, and thanks so much for sharing it xx
Oh, I like this post very much, Lucy. I found it uplifting and encouraging and what struck me was how the “Universe” worked its synchronicity by connecting you with someone for you to help and consequently connect with your creative self. Nice! 🙂 No Man (or woman) is an island.
Hey thx – I am glad you liked it 🙂
Being helpful and mindful are probably my favorite pieces of advice!
Mine too 🙂 yay! Thx for reading
And you even reach out in the comments to Helen Jones. You lady are so nice. Have a super weekend😇
We have all got to stick together with this writing lark! Happy Friday lady! 🙋🏼
Reblogged this on Still Another Writer's Blog.
What a super post and further more I know who to call!