Riding the creative wave 🌊

Lately I’ve been riding a nice creative wave:

- I designed a sweet brand identity for a nonprofit
- I’ve been enjoying a growing confidence to sing
- I’ve written poetry and thought pieces (like this)
- And lots of little things that are hard to quantify

But in the back of my head there’s a nagging sense of déjà vu.

I’ve been here before. Eventually this wave, like all the others that came before it, will come crashing back down to sea level.

This time though, I’m armed with some observations about my thoughts and actions that just might help me stay riding high.

During this wave I’ve been imagining all of the things I could create, all of the lives I could impact. Could thinking is generous and outcome-focused, it feels good, carefree and fun.

In contrast, when analysis paralysis strikes it’s usually due to inward, worrisome thinking of what I should create and how I’ll be judged if I should miss the mark by even so much as a hair. Should thinking is selfishly persnickety, and it feels anxious, fearful and paralyzing.

Should thinking seems to contract possibilities.
Could thinking expands them.

So as I surf this creative wave I’ll keep in mind this silly mnemonic I thought up:

Should-y = Sh!tty / Could = Good