14. When the Roar of Creation Bites
The Case of the Disappearing Dinosaurs
Hello, friend! Hope you’ve had a great week! I sketched a kangaroo postman yesterday, ticking off another of my Art Bingo Prompts. So I think we can all say we’ve ‘jumped’ a few hurdles and put our ‘stamp’ of creativity on the week … *coughs* …
Fishbird Catch of the Week
We post twice a week on Fishbird Central. This week’s catch included:
Reading Wrap Up - July 2024
Managed to read through the 9 books on our TBR for the month - but it was a struggle! Let me know if you’re interested in a post on how to read more, and some tips and tricks to stay goal focused. I could use some reminders, myself!
Check out the post here - Reading Wrap Up - July 2024
Barossa Pavilions - South Australia
In March this year, we were lucky enough to stay at the Barossa Pavilions in South Australia! We sweltered through some 40 degree days, but could not have been more comfortable in this villa, looking out over the Barossa Valley Ranges. Highly recommended!
Check out the post here - Barossa Pavilions
Creative Meltdown: Stages, Symptoms & Survival
I think we can all agree that Dinosaurs had all the answers. They were creative, persistent creatures that are now - very likely - secretly living on a moon base, sipping margaritas and laughing at our primitive transport system.
Even a T-Rex was known to run into a creative wall from time-to-time though. The trick was to recognise the 3 stages of a creative meltdown and how to roar your way through it.
The Stomp— You’re making great strides when suddenly inspiration is squashed underfoot like a common dipteridaceous fern. The vast plains of your mind are suddenly dry and barren where once there was a thriving jungle of creativity. Your claws twitch, your tail lashes - you get a bit snappy - and you wonder if this is the hour of your creative devolution. But don’t give up, mighty land lizard. This is just the beginning of your creative journey!
The Roar of Frustration. Self-doubt creeps in like a pack of sneaky velociraptors, circling closer and closer. They’re clever girls. You start questioning whether you’ve still got the strength, the brilliance, the ferocity to create something great. Your feathers bristle with the weight of all those expectations (yes, you have feathers). But remember! Even the fiercest dinosaur needs time to regroup and curl up in a cave. This is your moment to pause, to gather your strength, and to prepare for the next phase. World domination! … Or painting!
The Dawn of Creation. Just when you think your imagination has gone dormant, ideas erupt like that volcano in the distance that Gerry said was just a old stupid mountain. You reclaim your power, stomp your doubts into the ground, and roar your way back into the creative fray … kinda hoping that volcano calms down a bit now.
Surviving a creative meltdown isn’t about perfection—it’s about the relentless pursuit, the raw determination to keep going, to keep creating, no matter how many times you have to start over. And it’s also about volcanos.
Be more dinosaur.
Quick Fire Wrap Up
Currently Reading: ‘The Secret Hours’ by Mick Herron. Nominated for a swag of awards including the ‘Last Laugh Award’, ‘Best Hardcover Novel’ and ‘Gold Dagger’. I love Mick Herron’s writing. This is a standalone novel.
Currently Watching: Old episodes of ‘Monk’ staring Tony Shalhoub. A series about an eccentric detective who can spot clues others may miss, while dealing with his own struggles.
Currently Wondering: If I need to buy 25 books for my 25 year anniversary this week - or if I really need 50 on account of a relationship takes 2 to work and we shouldn’t short change ourselves when it comes to love. And also books.
Wishes for the Week
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, friend!
Eat the pizza, book in that holiday, go sit on a beach and think about all the amazing things that are waiting for you just around the corner. I’ll write you a sick note, so you can have the week off work.
Stay cool, punks.
“Scientists have now proven that the asteroid long-believed to have led to the extinction event of the dinosaurs - was actually their Uber ride to Mars.” - Charles Darwin (probably)
Jen x