Kind Words - Mindset Tip #1
Nurturing Creativity and Compassion in the Writer's Life
I don’t know about you, but I sometimes find it challenging to show myself kindness and compassion as a creative. During the holiday season especially, I tend to focus on everyone else (often at the expense of my own peace of mind). Honestly, the world needs more creatives and more kindness. So this year, I’d love for us to join together and practice a little self-compassion. Each week until the end of the year, I’ll be sharing a Weekly Mindset practice along with a writing prompt or exercise. Let’s take this time to be kind to ourselves—together!
Cultivate Curiosity Over Perfection
Approach your writing with curiosity rather than the pursuit of perfection. Allow yourself to explore without judgment. When you start writing without the weight of perfectionism, you open up space for ideas to flow more freely, giving your creativity room to breathe and evolve.
Let’s Play: The Wonder Walk Prompt
Take a 10-15 minute "Wonder Walk" around your neighborhood, a nearby park, or even your own home. As you walk, look for three small things that capture your attention. These could be anything—a strange crack in the sidewalk, the way light hits a tree, a snippet of overheard conversation. Write down each detail with as much description as you can muster, focusing only on what you notice and what fascinates you.
When you return, choose one of these details to freewrite for five minutes. Let your mind wander, allowing curiosity to lead. Don’t worry about grammar, style, or cohesion—focus only on following your thoughts wherever they take you, discovering unexpected connections or ideas.
This practice nurtures curiosity as you observe the world, and by allowing imperfections, it keeps your inner critic at bay, giving your creativity freedom to roam.
I’d love to hear how this practice goes for you—feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
Have a great week and Happy Writing!