Hey there!

I've been thinking a lot lately about routine and how much it supports creative workflow.

I'm a creature who thrives in habit, but craves novelty—which means I don't work well when I'm scattered, but it's tough to stick to a set schedule. I also tend to work in bursts, pouring my time into one project until I'm exhausted on it, then moving to the next. Which means that when I'm in a period of hyper-focus, other important things don't get done.

How do you build a routine that supports that work style?

I recently explored the question (among others) with T. Thorn Coyle on their podcast Magic, Creativity, and Life. Thorn is a deeply thoughtful person and dear friend, and I loved the challenging questions they asked about routine, ritual, and process.

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As I'm revisiting this interview, it strikes me that we talked about the one creative routine that always supports me: a morning ritual of journaling, meditation, and movement. This routine helps me clear my brain, identify my priorities, and warm up my mind and body before getting down to business.

I think one reason I'm feeling so lost lately is because I've felt too busy to take the time out of my day for that morning practice—but even taking thirty minutes for all that makes such a difference.

Time to get back to it!

If you're a creative person, I think you'll find plenty to glean from our conversation. And I highly recommend checking out some of Thorn's other interviews where they talk to composers, artists, cinematographers, and other incredible creatives about how they live and work at their most creative.

Happy reading listening,

Jessie

(P.S. I'd love to hear about your own creative routines! What do you do to get yourself in a creative mode—whatever your art may be?)