The music comparison at the end really landed for me. It didn’t feel like a metaphor for the sake of one, it felt true. I’ve absolutely hid behind “learning theory” before when what I actually needed was to make calls about tension, space and timing and then live with them. The idea that judgment is basically phrasing stuck with me. That’s the difference between something that’s technically fine and something that actually feels like it has a point of view. Thank you Idris Elijah for giving us so many unique topics that still relate to music and personal development!
I can concur that the music comparison felt true, because no matter the discipline, everything is connected. We all struggle as creatives with doing the damn thing and creating. We want to be at our best but sometimes that simply boils down to being willing to act. Thank you for your comment and always showing up for us Brooke! 🤩🤩🤩🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
I’ve spent so much time absorbing things like reading, watching and studying that it can feel like I’m moving even when I’m kind of circling. The part about the blank screen hit hardest because that’s where I usually hesitate and start second-guessing instead of choosing. I also loved the music comparison at the end. I’ve seen that play out over and over: knowing the structure isn’t the same as having a voice. This was a good reminder that clarity doesn’t come from more intake, it comes from sitting with the discomfort and actually deciding. Thank you Idris for another insightful and helpful newsletter!
Strong takeaways here Brian! We all, as creatives, have blank screen, canvases, documents, etc. that we must overcome. And it sounds like you definitely took this lesson to heart. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and always showing up for us! 🤩🤩🤩
This felt really familiar with my writing. I can outline, read craft books and analyze structure all day but the blank page still asks questions no essay ever answers for you. The part about explaining choices out loud hit for me. If I can’t say why a paragraph exists I probably didn’t choose it. I’m thinking now a lot about how often I substitute rules for actual judgment. On a side note, I showed your recent short story to a writer friend of mine and she really enjoyed it! Thank you for the varied and always interesting content Idris Elijah!
Loving these takeaways! They align perfectly with the material. Enjoyed your point about substituting rules for actually judgment. Such an important distinction you call out here. Ayyye, thank you for sharing the short story with a friend! So pleased she enjoyed it, and you felt strongly enough to share. You are the best! 🤩🤩🤩🤗🤗🤗
I don’t code but this mapped cleanly onto my studio habits. I’ll sometimes collect references, techniques and materials forever, then stall when it’s time to commit. The idea that tutorials remove judgment explains why finished pieces feel harder than practice. Making the mark is the decision. Everything before that is just preparation. I got some useful tips from this so thank you Idris Elijah!
Very pleased you got something out of this technology focused post. I felt it was an important one to share regardless of discipline. Your takeaways are spot on, thank you Jody! 🙌🏾🙃
The music comparison at the end really landed for me. It didn’t feel like a metaphor for the sake of one, it felt true. I’ve absolutely hid behind “learning theory” before when what I actually needed was to make calls about tension, space and timing and then live with them. The idea that judgment is basically phrasing stuck with me. That’s the difference between something that’s technically fine and something that actually feels like it has a point of view. Thank you Idris Elijah for giving us so many unique topics that still relate to music and personal development!
I can concur that the music comparison felt true, because no matter the discipline, everything is connected. We all struggle as creatives with doing the damn thing and creating. We want to be at our best but sometimes that simply boils down to being willing to act. Thank you for your comment and always showing up for us Brooke! 🤩🤩🤩🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
I’ve spent so much time absorbing things like reading, watching and studying that it can feel like I’m moving even when I’m kind of circling. The part about the blank screen hit hardest because that’s where I usually hesitate and start second-guessing instead of choosing. I also loved the music comparison at the end. I’ve seen that play out over and over: knowing the structure isn’t the same as having a voice. This was a good reminder that clarity doesn’t come from more intake, it comes from sitting with the discomfort and actually deciding. Thank you Idris for another insightful and helpful newsletter!
Strong takeaways here Brian! We all, as creatives, have blank screen, canvases, documents, etc. that we must overcome. And it sounds like you definitely took this lesson to heart. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and always showing up for us! 🤩🤩🤩
This felt really familiar with my writing. I can outline, read craft books and analyze structure all day but the blank page still asks questions no essay ever answers for you. The part about explaining choices out loud hit for me. If I can’t say why a paragraph exists I probably didn’t choose it. I’m thinking now a lot about how often I substitute rules for actual judgment. On a side note, I showed your recent short story to a writer friend of mine and she really enjoyed it! Thank you for the varied and always interesting content Idris Elijah!
Loving these takeaways! They align perfectly with the material. Enjoyed your point about substituting rules for actually judgment. Such an important distinction you call out here. Ayyye, thank you for sharing the short story with a friend! So pleased she enjoyed it, and you felt strongly enough to share. You are the best! 🤩🤩🤩🤗🤗🤗
I don’t code but this mapped cleanly onto my studio habits. I’ll sometimes collect references, techniques and materials forever, then stall when it’s time to commit. The idea that tutorials remove judgment explains why finished pieces feel harder than practice. Making the mark is the decision. Everything before that is just preparation. I got some useful tips from this so thank you Idris Elijah!
Very pleased you got something out of this technology focused post. I felt it was an important one to share regardless of discipline. Your takeaways are spot on, thank you Jody! 🙌🏾🙃