I’ve tried all three of these approaches at different points and always felt guilty about whichever one I wasn’t using. Seeing them laid out side by side made it obvious there’s no correct workflow, just alignment. The Beyoncé section especially reframed editing for me. Cutting isn’t erasing creativity; it is the creativity. This made me want to build sessions around momentum again instead of perfection. I always especially enjoy the music newsletters so thank you Idris Elijah for a great start to the weekend!
Mmmh, interesting these approaches once made you feel guilty when using them. Love how you want to jump back into it with a new found intention. I absolutely love this for you, Brooke! You’re most welcome!! 🙏🏾🙌🏾🤩
This articulated something I feel every time I’m in front of a canvas. If I start thinking about style or where the piece fits, my hands freeze. But when I stay with color, tension and repetition the work moves. Those are the things that actually pull me back. I loved the idea that identity shows up after repetition, not before. It makes me want to stop naming things too early and let the pile of work speak for itself. Happy Friday Idris Elijah and thank you for another interesting read!
This really resonated even outside music. When I’m learning choreography with my daughter the moments that stick aren’t when I’m thinking about technique. It’s when we’re moving, laughing and repeating something until it lives in our bodies. Reading this showed me that progress doesn’t always look organized. Sometimes it just looks like showing up again, trusting what feels fun or honest and letting the shape reveal itself later. I enjoyed this newsletter Idris Elijah and hope you enjoy your weekend!
Pleased you enjoyed this issue, Maria! Love hearing the lessons you’ve acquired in doing the damn thing. So rich! Hope you enjoy your weekend as well! 🙌🏾🤩
I’m constantly toggling between sound, meaning, structure and voice (sometimes all in the same paragraph!) and then wondering why my writing stalls. Framing process as temperament instead of discipline helped something click. It made me see that the drafts I actually finish are the ones where I let one instinct lead and trust that clarity comes later. I’m going to stop switching horses mid-sentence and see what happens. Thank you for the wonderful tips today Idris Elijah and have a great weekend!!
What I loved about this was the way you framed those artists. Michael, Beyoncé and Adele have completely different processes but all so clearly theirs. It made it obvious that there isn’t a “right” way, just a way that actually fits the person making the work. That really stuck with me. Instead of chasing someone else’s method in whatever I do I’m taking away permission to trust what pulls me forward and build around that. This was a great reminder that process follows personality, not the other way around. Another insightful read Idris and Happy Friday to you!
Glad you approve of the framing! You hit it right on the head. There isn’t a “right” way, just a way that actually fits the person making the work. I’ve spent a lot of time wondering how so and so does this and that, and all of the above is not the juice. What matters is what works for the individual, for me. Giving me a lot of freedom to experiment and try different things. You understand that with your statement about the process following the personality. Very well said! 🙌🏾🤩🤗 happy Friday!
I’ve tried all three of these approaches at different points and always felt guilty about whichever one I wasn’t using. Seeing them laid out side by side made it obvious there’s no correct workflow, just alignment. The Beyoncé section especially reframed editing for me. Cutting isn’t erasing creativity; it is the creativity. This made me want to build sessions around momentum again instead of perfection. I always especially enjoy the music newsletters so thank you Idris Elijah for a great start to the weekend!
Mmmh, interesting these approaches once made you feel guilty when using them. Love how you want to jump back into it with a new found intention. I absolutely love this for you, Brooke! You’re most welcome!! 🙏🏾🙌🏾🤩
This articulated something I feel every time I’m in front of a canvas. If I start thinking about style or where the piece fits, my hands freeze. But when I stay with color, tension and repetition the work moves. Those are the things that actually pull me back. I loved the idea that identity shows up after repetition, not before. It makes me want to stop naming things too early and let the pile of work speak for itself. Happy Friday Idris Elijah and thank you for another interesting read!
Happy Friday Jody, you’re most welcome!! 🤩🤩🙌🏾🤗 love these takeaways and the heart!
This really resonated even outside music. When I’m learning choreography with my daughter the moments that stick aren’t when I’m thinking about technique. It’s when we’re moving, laughing and repeating something until it lives in our bodies. Reading this showed me that progress doesn’t always look organized. Sometimes it just looks like showing up again, trusting what feels fun or honest and letting the shape reveal itself later. I enjoyed this newsletter Idris Elijah and hope you enjoy your weekend!
Pleased you enjoyed this issue, Maria! Love hearing the lessons you’ve acquired in doing the damn thing. So rich! Hope you enjoy your weekend as well! 🙌🏾🤩
I’m constantly toggling between sound, meaning, structure and voice (sometimes all in the same paragraph!) and then wondering why my writing stalls. Framing process as temperament instead of discipline helped something click. It made me see that the drafts I actually finish are the ones where I let one instinct lead and trust that clarity comes later. I’m going to stop switching horses mid-sentence and see what happens. Thank you for the wonderful tips today Idris Elijah and have a great weekend!!
Love these realizations! And it looks like you already know your next step. It’s a fantastic one! Thank you! Have a great weekend!! 🤩🙌🏾
What I loved about this was the way you framed those artists. Michael, Beyoncé and Adele have completely different processes but all so clearly theirs. It made it obvious that there isn’t a “right” way, just a way that actually fits the person making the work. That really stuck with me. Instead of chasing someone else’s method in whatever I do I’m taking away permission to trust what pulls me forward and build around that. This was a great reminder that process follows personality, not the other way around. Another insightful read Idris and Happy Friday to you!
Glad you approve of the framing! You hit it right on the head. There isn’t a “right” way, just a way that actually fits the person making the work. I’ve spent a lot of time wondering how so and so does this and that, and all of the above is not the juice. What matters is what works for the individual, for me. Giving me a lot of freedom to experiment and try different things. You understand that with your statement about the process following the personality. Very well said! 🙌🏾🤩🤗 happy Friday!