Hello, I am Celeste. Welcome all of you who are new here, including Jon, Edie, Krishna, Peejeh and Jeff! I am so grateful that there are 300 of you reading these letters. Take a look at my writing prompts or the newsletter directory to find what you need now.

Maybe it is still January. I have been contemplating about life for some time. There are certain quotes, manifestos and ideas that lead me to think about different aspects of my life. I am going to share some of my favourites this week.

Manifesto

1. Julia Cameron on how to deal with shame and criticism in our (creative) journey
   We need to do a few things in order to deal with criticism more effectively. Julia Cameron suggests us to receive the criticism, take note of the part that is useful and the part that bothers us, read some good reviews of your creative work (keep a folder of those compliments!), write a letter to the critic that you won’t send and get back to creating something new.

2. It will get easier each time I practice
   It is true when we are learning new skills, working on creative projects and even trying to do something that we have never done. The most difficult part is having the courage to start at the beginning.

3. Instead of "I'm trying to", realize that "I am in the process of"
   In the process of finding the balance between work and life, in the process of finding the time and space to create, in the process of taking better care of myself in a Capitalistic society, in the process of finding my creative signature. You know what I mean.

4. In what ways have you grown or changed from older work, and are you proud of these changes?
   If you have been working on a project for more than a year, take a look at them and reflect how you have evolved and think of new ways to improve your craft.

5. The success of making art is if you can connect with others through your art
   If you are passionate about making art, the first thing that you consider is if it nourishes you. The next is if it connects with people if you decide to share your art.

   It is a reminder for myself to keep that in mind when Instagram algorithm is keeping my art from reaching more people. The original intent of sharing my words was that people can relate and now remind people of the magical moments in life.

   If you find yourself struggling to create daily content for Instagram for free, you are not alone. I am battling with it too. Maybe it is time to think about how you can balance content creation, self-care and life in general.

6. Scott Barry Kaufman on listening to your "organismic valuing process" and be prepared to change your goals if it seems necessary

   “The path toward becoming a fully functioning person requires developing increasing trust in your own ability to know what is important to you, and what is essential for you to live a more fulfilling life. People tend to move toward intrinsic goals, such as emotional intimacy, personal growth, societal contribution and away from extrinsic goals, such as material possessions, physical attractiveness, social popularity. Trust yourself to abandon a goal if it is no longer appropriate for your growth.”

7. E.F. Schumacher on turning complex topics to simple concepts
   ”Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage — to move in the opposite direction.”

8. Lasting happiness comes only from serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin

9. Freedom is what you do with what has been done to you.

   — Jean-Paul Sartre

   Are you identifying yourself with the criticism, failure or setback? Instead of swelling in negative emotions, what could you learn from it?

10. Anger is hot coal that you hold in your hands while waiting to throw it at someone else. (Buddhist saying)
    

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11. Expand your sense of the possible

12. Avoid the pursuit of happiness. Seek to define your mission and pursue that.

13. Become less suspicious of joy
    ”If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be. We are not wise, and not very often kind. And much can never be redeemed. Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimes something happens better than all the riches or power in the world. It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.”
    — Mary Oliver

14. Remember that you are water. Cry. Cleanse. Flow.

    Remember that you are fire. Burn. Tame. Ignite.

    Remember that you are air. Be still. Focus. Decide.

    Remember that you are earth. Ground. Build. Give.

15. We can do hard things.
    — Glennon Doyle

16. The success of making art is if you can connect with others through your art.

17. What is the best way I can handle the situation?

18. Is this project, career or person worth my time and energy?

19. Where can I find inspiration for my creative project?

20. What is your word for 2022?

Google doc, Pinterest and Notion in one

I was looking for a digital tool in which I can put images, ideas, to-do in one place. I want something that is Google Document, Pinterest and Notion in one. Then I got Milanote. Try it if you are looking for a solution for your creative project.

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See you in 2 weeks,

Celeste

Related:

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A mysterious group do these things to get inspired