Ep.39. ‘Stay On The Boat’: Navigating Solitude & Loneliness in our Creative Lives
‘Stay On The Boat’ : Navigating Solitude and Loneliness in our Creative Lives
Welcome to another episode of "Nic and Beth’s Creative Chats" with your hosts, Nicola Newman and Beth Cregan.
Join us for a meaningful conversation about the nature and importance of solitude, loneliness, and the creative process. Through the lens of Nic's sailing life, we explore the intricate balance between solitude and the potential for loneliness that creatives often encounter with their work.
We delve into some of the struggles that are integral to our creative lives - from confronting the omnipresent fear of failure to navigating uncertainty without a roadmap!
Yet, amidst these challenges, we discover that staying connected to ourselves and our work fosters self-trust, stamina and authenticity. This discussion is a compassionate guide for creatives facing the challenges that arise in the creative process.
Episode Show Notes
Introduction:
Creative processes are often tied to the idea of isolation - a solitary journey through thoughts, ideas, and innovation. While this solitude might foster fresh ideas, it can sometimes pave the way to a feeling of loneliness.
In this episode, we explore the concept of creative loneliness and how to turn it into a positive by connecting more profoundly with ourselves, setting ourselves up with support and nurturing our individual creative processes.
Discussion Topics
We discuss the concept of creative loneliness and how it can be different from solitude.
Solitude is often chosen and brings comfort, while creative loneliness can feel unsettling and isolating.
We explore the experience of loneliness when starting a new creative project, especially in unfamiliar territory.
We talk about the weight of responsibilities in making decisions for creative projects.
Then, there’s the uncertainty and unique challenges of intuitive and imaginative creative processes.
We talk about the difficulty of explaining the creative process to others when it doesn't follow a linear path.
We mention the pressure of productivity goals and how creativity doesn't always align with set timelines.
Different creative projects have different markers and require different approaches.
We encourage self-care and seeking support during the creative process.
We highlight the importance of recognizing that feeling lonely during a creative project doesn't mean you're doing it wrong.
Finding Connection with Others:
We discuss the importance of finding people, whether real or through their work, who share similar creative experiences and struggles.
Beth mentioned individuals like Martha Alderson, Julia Cameron, Natalie Goldberg, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Nicola mentioned Maya Angelou - and how we see them as sources of connection and inspiration for creatives.
The concept of "believing mirrors" is introduced, where certain individuals can reflect back one's brilliance and help silence their internal critic.
We emphasize the value of having people in your corner who genuinely support your creative journey.
Self-Trust and Self-Connection:
The conversation touches on the importance of building self-trust during the creative process.
Maintaining a deep connection with oneself is considered a key aspect of the creative journey.
The book "Women Food and God" by Janine Roth is highlighted for its focus on developing a genuine connection with oneself, which can help ease feelings of isolation.
Embodiment and Introspection:
We discuss the idea of embodiment and introspection as valuable tools for navigating creative challenges.
We acknowledge that creative work can be uncomfortable and scary at times, and staying connected with oneself through those moments is crucial.
The ability to make good decisions and not give up on the creative process is attributed to maintaining self-connection.
Shifts in Creative Experience:
We reflect on how our experiences of creative work have evolved over time, including shifts from solitude to creative loneliness.
The balance between being alone for creative work and being in the company of others is explored.
Creating Support through Creative Communities:
Creative communities can serve as port-in-storm, a sanctuary for creatives fighting away the feeling of isolation. Dwelling among like-minded individuals who share the same values can bring creative solace. These creatives can be real-life associations, online communities, or even influences from the past in various creative fields.
One such community is my supportive online space, the Creative Hearts Community, where creatives regularly connect through activities like writing sessions, virtual creative retreats, and engaging in enlightening conversations about the creative process. They build each other up, offering believing mirrors to one another, reflecting the brilliance and potential in each individual.
Links and Resources:
Women Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything by Geenen Roth
Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fetell Lee
Lady Elliot Island Art of Creative Living Retreat Information
Let’s Connect!
Share your retreat experiences or plans with us on Instagram at @write.away.with.me and @nicolanewman_
Subscribe to our podcast for more discussions on creativity!
Acknowledgement of Country
I’d like to pay deep respect to the Juru people of the Birri Gubba Nation as the traditional and ongoing custodians of the land where I record this podcast today and acknowledge their incredible, strong and ongoing connection to the lands, waters and community.
I thank them for the custodianship, care and love they have given to this area, extending from the countryside right out to the Great Barrier Reef. I love seeing the green sea turtles in this region and knowing they have been cared for by the Gudjuda Rangers. I thank the Elders, past and present and the entire Juru and Bindal communities for the valuable and generous contribution they make to our region.
~ Nicola Newman
I’d like to pay homage to the traditional and ongoing custodians of the land on which I live and work, The Bunerong people of the Kulin Nation. I feel tremendously grateful for their strong culture of storytelling and the spirit of place I find in my favourite place to write, Rickett’s Point. This part of the bay is a haven for bird and marine life - blue wrens, parrots and black swans. I thank the Elders, past and present and the whole Wurundjeri community for the valuable and generous contribution they make to our region.
~ Beth Cregan
We acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded. And we extend a special welcome to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who may be joining us today.
Always was, and always will be Aboriginal Land.
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With my warmest wishes,
Nicola
About the Hosts
Nicola Newman is a creative business coach, award-winning artist and creative living mentor. As host of The Art of Creative Living Podcast and founder of the Creative Hearts Community, Nicola’s passion is inspiring and supporting Creative Hearts to build loving relationships with themselves, express their creativity, trust their inner wisdom and carve out a life that’s personally meaningful and fulfilling to them.
She offers multiple resources for educating, inspiring, and supporting Creative Hearts. You are invited to take her free Creative Archetype Quiz, join her free Art of Creative Living mini-course, sign up for her Inspiration Letters and nurture your creativity through her online courses, coaching programs and retreats.
Nicola’s creative business coaching is tailored to support sensitive, heart-led creatives to develop, grow, and expand their creative offerings. Her approach is to embrace gentleness, playfulness and self-care to navigate self-doubt and instead cultivate deep self-trust so you can truly enjoy the creative process, bring together your body of work, make money doing what you love and leave a creative legacy you’re proud of.
Beth Cregan
Fourteen years ago, Beth Cregan, an experienced teacher, combined her passion for creativity with her love of writing to launch her business Write Away With Me. Since then, her high energy workshops have inspired thousands of young writers to find their voice, stretch their writing skills and connect with their inner storyteller!
Beth presents writing workshops for young writers and adults alike, both in Australia and internationally, as well as professional development workshops for teachers and school communities.
Her first book, Time to Write: A Powerful Writing Practice for your Classroom published by Amba Press ( 2021), recognises that writing is a dynamic, essential life skill. It’s packed full of strategies, resources and hands-on activities to bring writing to life in our schools!
Beth lives in Melbourne, Australia and when she is not writing or teaching, you’ll find her reading, painting, rummaging in her veggie garden or hiking in a forest somewhere, hugging trees.
For more information about working with Beth, visit: Write Away With Me
Connect with Beth Cregan on:
Instagram: Write Away With Me
Facebook: Write Away With Me
Linked In: Beth Cregan
