Lately I have noticed something about the way I create. On any given day, I will choose to approach creating from a project view, or a process view. I will devote my time to a specific project or participate in a process based on time and place, commitments, and a bunch of other factors - most of which I couldn’t even pinpoint or describe. I just know that - for me - there are two separate and distinct approaches.
Here’s what I mean.
A few months ago my son asked me to make a special knitted blanket for a friend of his. I agreed, we went shopping, and I came home with a giant bag of yarn. That’s a project. When I sit down with time to knit I pick up that project. The goal is to complete a particular piece.
But before I embarked on that large project, there were times when I wanted to knit and watch TV, or listen to a podcast or audiobook. On those days I was looking for the process. When that specific project is finished, I will have a day when I want to knit, and I’ll dig out some yarn and needles and knit. I will be looking for the process again.
Another example. A couple weeks ago I was helping a friend with transportation for a medical procedure. That involved making two long round-trip drives on back-to-back days. On the first day I noticed a local fruit stand had peaches. By the second day I was absolutely jonesing for peach cobbler. Of course I stopped the next day for peaches. That was a project. A delicious project.
I also decided to make fresh pico de gallo. Now, I do live in a small town, but there are several places around town where I could have bought fresh pico, and let someone else do all the fine chopping and mixing. But sometimes the process of preparing the tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers is an exercise I enjoy. (Except for that part about remembering not to touch anything until you thoroughly wash your hands. That was definitely NOT enjoyable!)
I find myself doing the same thing with my primary outlet: writing. Some days I have a project in the works, or a deadline, or a specific thing I want to share with you. Some days I just want to sit down at the keyboard and see what happens.
I don’t know that I have some deep insight to draw from this realization. It’s just something I noticed and wanted to share. To remind you, and to remind ME, that there is no “right” way to do this thing we call making.
There are no rules to creativity.
There is only the joy that comes from doing something you love, in whatever way you want.
May your coming week be filled with creativity. And joy.