How to do a creative reset
And audit your entire ecosystem to prepare for a new year of creation
Welcome to another issue of apartamento 710, a newsletter about living a creative life. If you are new here, I invite you to explore my interview series, Sobremesa, my section Reference Library, or a fan’s favorite: My rules for making.
I am hosting an apartamento 710 meetup in Toronto this January on Sunday, the 18th. Are you based in the city or have friends who live there? Let them know, I want to see you all there! If interested in joining us, leave a comment on this letter, reply to this email, or send me a dm to confirm your attendance. I will send you the full details and meeting place. Can’t wait to meet you there!
Dear reader,
Over the years, I’ve learned that my creativity doesn’t respond well to pressure or ambition alone. It responds to my environment. To the often invisible conditions that either invite me in to create or quietly push me away. Before I think about what I want to make in the new year, I like to take a close look at what I’m surrounded by.
Every year, usually somewhere between the limbo of the last week of December and the beginning of January, I do a reset. Not really a goal-setting exercise, but an audit of my entire creative ecosystem. A way of noticing what’s working, what feels outdated in my practice, and what needs more space to grow.
What I mean by “creative ecosystem”
When I talk about a creative ecosystem, I mean everything that shapes how and whether I make things. It’s the physical space I work in, yes, but also the information I consume, the conversations I am having, the objects I keep within reach, the commitments or collabs I’ve said yes to, and the inner state I’m moving through.
Let’s get started
Grab a notebook, your beverage of choice, and give yourself plenty of time to go through your audit →
Let’s start with your physical space: Here is where I ask myself, where do I actually like to sit and work? Not where I think I should work, but where my body naturally gravitates towards.
This past year, I got myself a nice standing desk, hoping to spend less time sitting and hopefully improve my poor posture. The truth is, I spent most of the time doing work at my kitchen table, next to the window where the light hits in a very celestial way. Knowing this, I’m planning to rearrange things a bit around my apartment to see if that motivates me to spend more time in my neglected desk.
Remember: Notice which objects make you want to touch, write, sketch, or simply begin something. Move things around. Put some things away. Your space needs to support you and your lifestyle.
Online world: When it comes to auditing our digital worlds, decluttering your email, subscriptions, and your social media feed is a great way to start. Pay attention to what leaves you feeling sad or anxious compared to what sparks inspiration, curiosity, and makes you want to go make something of your own.
