Business is picking back up after my summer slowdown here in northern Indiana.
I recently went through my archive to identify images to print for our home. During the process, I saw the above photo from over half a decade ago. I was working for National Geographic Student Expeditions and spent a healthy portion of my summer on the road, leading groups of high school students through some pretty amazing places.
Memories from these experiences seem to populate my mind from time to time. It is less about exact words, moments, or photographs and more about feeling a closeness. I’ve realized that I still experience this.
I digress.
In this edition, you’ll find three quotes that resonated with me and stuck around in my mind long after the episode. Enjoy.
1.) The Minimalists | “Social Media Clutter”
“There’s this idea that any time you step up and use your voice or creatively express yourself, you’re adding to the noise. But here’s the thing, when you refuse to do something just because everyone else is doing it. You’re being as much as a conformist as someone who chooses to do something just because everyone else is doing it. Because, in both cases, you’re orienting your life around nothing more than reacting to what other people do.” — T.K. Coleman
2.) Creative Pep Talk | “The 2 Essential Elements of a Game Changing Creative Collaboration with Sophie Miller”
“The more you kind of take it out of one context, the more you can see what it is. And so now I am starting to see what is me, and I can kind of define what a me-ish thing would be outside of fiber art. So like, I’ve been exploring, like, what is me-ish about our house. What is my take on having a garden? What is me in clothing? And hair? And I am starting to be able to see it clearer because I took it out of this box.” — Sophie Miller
This quote is about creating with different mediums and how that unboxing has opened up applications for putting one’s touch on their lives.
3.) On Being | Nick Offerman - “Working with Wood, and the Meaning of Life”
“In my first touring show, I did a bit; it was called American Ham. And I did a bit about making a card. Because people, again, it ties into consumerism, people think, “Oh shoot, it’s somebody’s, you know, birthday, anniversary, what have you, I need to go buy them a card.” And I say, “Make them a damn card.” Like, get — take a piece of paper out of the printer, fold it in half. Take a pencil or a crayon or better, and draw a heart, and open it up and say, “I love you, love Nick.” That’s the bare minimum that is worth so much more than any B.S. Hallmark card from the drugstore. Because you, it says not only I love you, but it says I took the time. And, of course, you should do better than a piece of paper out of the printer.” — Nick Offerman
All three of these quotes speak to the power of creative exploration and the ability to identify your own. This work is a constant practice, but it is so worth it.
That is all for this week.
Thanks for tuning into The Practice.
Links:
As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, I am releasing a short run of zines focused on my spring travels to Italy. I have about ten left, and you can purchase a copy here!
I make these zines to be able to share something tangible. It is powerful to hold something you created and then pass it along. I love it.
❤️