Let’s look at the light and dark sides of “tidying up,” especially as they pertain to the creative processes in a writer’s life. The light side of tidying up is that you can optimize your chances of accomplishing both your small and large goals. You might want better clients, but you don’t know how to get them. The dark side of tidying up is the implication that something is wrong with your current conditions. In terms of my own personal cleaning anxiety, I prefer when things are organized, so tidiness is always ideal. Pete Seeger created “Turn! The Byrds could have second-guessed their choice to record a song they didn’t compose. But artists learn to see when an idea is “good enough” — balancing the light and dark sides of the creative process. It’s a critical skill that helps you complete projects. Our Certified Content Marketer training program was created to teach writers like you — the ones with strong voices and solid techniques — how to use their words to sell, both for themselves and their clients.
Spring cleaning was a thing before Marie Kondo was all the rage.
And I have some conflicting thoughts about clearing out clutter.
Is more organization truly necessary? Are your current systems and methods actually outdated?
Let’s look at the light and dark sides of “tidying up,” especially as they pertain to the creative processes in a writer’s life.
The light
When we can simplify something, it usually feels good, because we’ve found something within our grasp to improve — and we don’t have control over many other complex parts of life.
For example, morning routines that prepare you for your day ahead and evening routines that let you wind down at night are tactics that can help you stay balanced during all of the unknown that occurs in between.
And you can also have work guidelines in place that set you up to be focused and productive.
The light side of tidying up is that you can optimize your chances of accomplishing both your small and large goals.
The dark
When we think we aren’t already “doing enough,” it usually feels bad.
It’s overwhelming, because the paths to make your desired changes aren’t always clear.
- You might want better clients, but you don’t know how to get them.
- You might want to charge higher fees, but you don’t know how to justify those prices.
- You might want to shorten your work hours, but you don’t know how to set boundaries with clients.
Instead of taking action, you just get frustrated.
The dark side of tidying up is the implication that something is wrong with your current conditions.
Artists work with both sides
Honoring where you are promotes productivity more than wishing you were already in…
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