On creating and sticking to new habits
Want a free spot at tomorrow's Greenwich writers retreat? Hit reply and it's yours. This is the first in a four-part email series on habits
Hello!
First up: I have one free spot for tomorrow's writers retreat in Greenwich. A writer has just pulled out and offered their spot to someone else. I'll give it to the first person who responds. Details can be found on the Urban Curiosity website and a flavour of Greenwich + the venue can be seen on these two little Instagram reels I made this week.
This newsletter is the first of a four-part email series on habits. I've been thinking about how starting a new creative habit can be made more possible by taking the tiniest of steps in the right direction. A bit like how we might try to cultivate any new habit really.
What’s your why?
First, you need to identify the habit you want to establish and it helps if you understand the 'why' behind it. I want to write more every day. Why? It makes me feel good and helps me clarify my ideas and feelings. It energises me and charges me up - just like the billboard outside the newly redeveloped Battersea Power Station says. Plus I want to publish articles and write a book this year. A tall order, yes. Especially for someone who has a day job now.
Struggle, positivity, vision, activism and self-belief have all contributed towards my unstoppability. And my understanding of life, of struggle, of myself, continues to enrich my knowledge of human nature - an essential ingredient for fictional characterization.
Bernadine Evaristo, author of Manifesto, On Never Giving Up
Secondly, it helps to acknowledge that behaviour change comes weighed down by the myriad inner dialogues we cart around with us all day long. You know, things like: 'I'm not that creative' or 'I can't write' or 'I don't have time for this'. Choose to ignore this limiting and unhelpful inner chit chat. Give things a try and see where it leads you; be open to possibility.
Embrace tiny experiments
Thirdly, if you set an intention to simply experiment for a few days, then it begins to feel more manageable. It's easy to be intimidated by our own ambitions and dreams. The work, effort and attention required to reach the end outcome often feel so overwhelming that we don't bother trying. Breaking it down into tiny steps and milestones is a more self-compassionate and practical approach.
When I feel intimidated or I feel a resistance to starting, I encourage myself to sit at my desk for just five minutes. And if my brain feels full of fluff I might fall back on a great writing prompt I got from my friend Susannah: 'what do I really want to say?'. It works every time.
Go gently
Inevitably some of those five minute sessions turn into 30-minute or one hour writing sessions where I nudge forward with my writing projects. This is how I am kickstarting my writing habit in 2023. I'll keep you posted on the outcome. What I know for sure is that going gently and taking my time is the surest way of sticking at something and getting it to the finish line.
Some news
The UC Walking Book Club for January is nearly fully booked. I have two spots left + a waiting list will kick in once we hit our ticket limit. Do consider joining us even if you know you won't have time to read the book by Saturday 21 January.
My next One-Day London Writers Retreat will take place on Saturday 25 February. Equity pricing and scholarships available.
Until next time,
Clare
PS. What habits are you trying to create and stick to right now? Let me know in the comments below.
Links worth your time, energy & attention
Art, kids & parents: how do artists balance creativity with parenthood?
Language, Please: great resource for journalists and storytellers
Turn knowledge into action: a powerful free tool from The Carbon Almanac
Family passages: what passes from down through the generation is not only genetic.
Events, talks & resources
UC Walking Book Club: January's book is Manifesto by Bernadine Evaristo
At home retreat: mindfulness retreats for challenging times
How to measure social impact: free event from New Philanthropy Capital
Personal growth reading: Hannah's offering a fun challenge for 2023.
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