Inspiration Station...
because it's the New Year
Photo: I used this photo once before here but it’s too perfect for this post not to use again.
These are the books I turn to again and again for inspiration, either literally, mentally or emotionally. I’d really love to hear yours, so do….
The Artists Way by Julia Cameron. A lot of people bang on about this one and a lot of people are right, this book is creative magic. Yes, she does talk about G-O-D a lot and yes some of the tasks are a little corny, especially if you're a cynical Brit, but this stuff works, you will create more in whatever shape or form suits you, you will reflect on what you want and what you don't want in your life, you will unblock and you will have a bit of fun! This is a book you have to actually do rather than just read -it’s a twelve week program and is well worth it.
Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey which I've referenced before here. This is a revolutionary book that reminds and reassures one that we are all meant for more than what capitalism would have us believe, more than 'to do' list completing automatons, forever grinding in order to feel worthy. There's a swathe of books on this broad theme, (boo to late-stage capitalism, let's stop and ponder the flowers, I'm so burnt out etc. etc.), but where this book differs is in it's socio-political depth; Hersey tying this work culture to white supremacy, the plantations of yore, and the social media giants of now. This is not about bubble baths and pricey spa days, it's about shifting one's entire being away from the, to quote Hersey, 'agents of grind culture'.
Zen and the Art of Dealing with Difficult People by Mark Wetsmoquette. My yoga teacher wrote this! He teaches at Zen yoga in Camberwell as well as online and is also a former astrophysicist! (I refer to this book in my piece on Fair-Weather Friends here.) In the book Mark explains the concept of Troublesome Buddhas as being those people in our lives who push our buttons, whether it’s the irritating stranger who pushes past us in the street or the close friend or family member who seems to always upset, hurt, aggravate, anger or obsess us. The very first tip is to picture them as a Buddha with something to teach you, this in itself may flip your mental script about this dreadful person, then we have mindfulness and acceptance (all explained much more articulately and with numerous anecdotal examples, the book also features Zen koans, practical practices, as well as a focus on psychology). I read this book once through in full and dip into it regularly, especially when someone is bothering me, I’ve found it to be a perspective gamer-changer! (Note: as Mark makes clear this is not about becoming a doormat or accepting abusive behaviour and he addresses serious issues of abuse in the text.)
Bird by Bird , some instructions on writing and life by Anne Lamott. Technically a creative writing book that encourages and guides, (rather than a craft book with prompts as such), this is also, as the sub-title suggests, a guide for living well, persisting, doing away with perfectionism, accepting failure, acknowledging jealousy’s role in creativity and life, bringing more expression into your life and all that good stuff. There lots of great chapters here if you are a teacher of creative writing too, such as the one on the necessity of shitty first drafts (which you can find here).
Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon. A satisfying ten things kind of book, including diy, zine-style advice and illustrations that of course as a punk-y guide ended up becoming a NY times bestseller! I reference this book in my very first Substack post ‘She’s Starting a Substack now…’ here. This book highlights that access to a creative life is not some elitist thing but is indeed possible for all.
As always thank ye for reading and for passing along this Substack to interested parties. More about what After the Fact is all about in the About! Bits about my new-ish non-fiction book Roaming Wild here and here. And out of curiosity because it is January 2024 here is my post from January 2023 which is a video clip on Things I’ve Heard in Yoga Classes. (Oh and as mentioned in my last post some reflections on cult and hit (?!) TV show Gilmore Girls is coming very soon.)
Love,
Emma x o x o
p.s. today is my fortieth birthday so even more reason to share my Substack and give me the gift of some birthday dopamine!
Tue Artist’s Way is on my reading list for this month!!