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Building a creative habit in 2025
In this issue: a new favorite word, building a creative habit, what to do when you're tired, and the difference between thinking and overthinking.
PJ Milani
December 10, 2024
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š¤ INTERESTING
One of my favorite idea learned this year from Adam Grant:
the word "sonder" from the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig
Some of my other favorites from the dictionary:
HARMONIA
n.an itchy sense of dread when life feels just a hint too peacefulāwhen everyone seems to get along suspiciously well, with an eerie stillness that makes you want to brace for the inevitable collapse, or burn it down yourself.
(I feel like Iām in an unhealthy constant state of harmonia. Am I the only one? š¤)
ANCHORAGE
n.the desire to hold on to time as it passes, like trying to keep your grip on a rock in the middle of a river, feeling the weight of the current against your chest while your elders float on downstream, calling over the roar of the rapids, āJust let goāitās okayālet go.ā
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š DESIGN
Building a creative practice isnāt just about making illustrations. Hereās a short highlight from my chat with Roberto Ferraro on the value of starting and keeping a consistent creative habit.
The start of a new year is a perfect time to dive into making stuff of your own!
š® ENCHANTING
There's a reason why dough must rest before it can rise.
This is something I'm still working on.
Resting may seem commonsensical, but when you've built habits around rolling forward at full momentum, it can be tough slowing down.
Earlier this year, I scheduled a weekend to relax, but I was shocked how little I could shut off without feeling guilty or anxious I should be doing more. It wasn't until last month when I got sick I realized there's only so far you can go if you don't learn to rest.
š¤ WHAT IāM READING NOW
While traveling Japan, I came across āZen Wisdom for the Anxiousā by Zen Buddhist monk, Shinsuke Hosokawa. If you like abstract and thought-provoking nuggets of timeless wisdom, you might dig it. Sealed in it are beautiful metaphors conveying Zen principles like:
A white horse disappears in a field of white flowers,
but that does not mean it is gone.
āAs long as you focus on whatās in front of you, you will always find your way.ā
Become a cooling shading tree for others.
āMaking just one other person happy is in itself happiness.ā
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