A separate thing: introducing Creative Support Systems

You're reading GET IT TOGETHER, a weekly newsletter about punk/indie/pop music and visual art from a queer-feminist perspective, exploring things that are adjacent to my own creative practice.

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Earlier this week, I considered revisiting The Artist’s Way, a book that presents a 12-week program for creative recovery. I had attempted the program over a decade ago but like many people I know, never completed it. For many reasons, it seemed like now would be another time to try, but a friend kindly shared that the language used in the original text probably doesn’t align with my values anymore. They were correct!

I want to find a way to complete many of the exercises and habits promoted by the book without language about God, prayer, or scolding if I don’t complete things perfectly. I want to explore what people have found so moving about this program while having an abundance mindset, giving myself grace, and acknowledging the pressures of capitalism to monetize every fucking thing.

I posted to my stories on Instagram about this idea, and close to 50 friends and strangers have raised their hands to join me in this process/journey.

So I'm starting a separate space to present context, exercises, and activities for 12 weeks that reexamine TAW and act as a creative re-start through a contemporary and intersectional lens. My goal is to create a space for a creative re-start and reassessment that is free from notions of shame or laziness.

I'm calling it Creative Support Systems.

For 12 weeks, an email will be sent out each Monday with context and prompts, followed by a check-in on Sunday mornings to revisit and reflect. Comments will be enabled so subscribers can discuss the process with one another. I'm going to share a lot about my experience with it, too. It's entirely free.

At the end of the 12 weeks, we will see where this project takes us!

If this sounds interesting to you, please subscribe here.

My work in this process will likely mean I can write Get It Together more consistently and get back to longer essays, interviews, etc. I'm excited about it.

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