I really did enjoy reading your piece here, it got my mind chattering to itself. With making art, as I am sure it must be with writing, there is a place on the arc of the process where the creation is as right as it is going to be (perfect or not!) and for which "alignment" as you say feels like a good word. Often on that arc of the process the peak is overshot, and the piece overworked, although I am not sure if you can apply that to writing? Whilst you have cut out paragraphs I have had to get rid of lovely bits of painting or design for the sake of the whole composition and I do feel your pain :) Risk taking whilst being creative is a real thing isn't it!
Y'know, I think this absolutely happens with writing, too. I went through a season of it a while ago, actually. I got so focused on technical perfection that I ended up excising a lot of "me" and my voice from the pieces I wrote. And for a long time I couldn't figure out the problem, because I thought I was doing the right thing! Letting your rough edges exist is hard. And I'm not sure how else to express that except to have the experience of trying to close the gap on perfection and realizing it's cost you something precious.
Still chewing on this, but after having my almost two year old let me have it all day—this is such a peaceful meditation on living with ourselves. Thanks for it!
I really did enjoy reading your piece here, it got my mind chattering to itself. With making art, as I am sure it must be with writing, there is a place on the arc of the process where the creation is as right as it is going to be (perfect or not!) and for which "alignment" as you say feels like a good word. Often on that arc of the process the peak is overshot, and the piece overworked, although I am not sure if you can apply that to writing? Whilst you have cut out paragraphs I have had to get rid of lovely bits of painting or design for the sake of the whole composition and I do feel your pain :) Risk taking whilst being creative is a real thing isn't it!
Y'know, I think this absolutely happens with writing, too. I went through a season of it a while ago, actually. I got so focused on technical perfection that I ended up excising a lot of "me" and my voice from the pieces I wrote. And for a long time I couldn't figure out the problem, because I thought I was doing the right thing! Letting your rough edges exist is hard. And I'm not sure how else to express that except to have the experience of trying to close the gap on perfection and realizing it's cost you something precious.
Thanks so much for reading, Diane!
This was so whole. And thus, perfect. 💕
Thank you very much for the kind words and congratulations!
Still chewing on this, but after having my almost two year old let me have it all day—this is such a peaceful meditation on living with ourselves. Thanks for it!
Dude, I was hoping it would be a balm to you, lol. Lord knows we need it. Cheers!
Hahaha thanks for thinking of me. You more than I it seems! You're doing great brother—one day at a time.