This assignment to do with feedback is a good appetizer to
the course, pun intended. In fact, that is why I was compelled to complete this
activity before “brainstorming for storybooks”—it seemed a good warm-up to
think about the intersecting constellation of self-analysis, mistakes, and
learning that goes into creative work. I also realized how so much of what I
read from the articles I analyzed below related to the structure and teaching
style of this nonconventional class. I am a strong advocate for mistakes as a
catalyst for growth. My senior quote, in fact, was from a favorite non-fiction
author of mine named Augusten Burroughs who makes memoirs about his life (literally
self-reflection made available to a public market as a work of creative writing):
“I, myself, am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions.”
I think I was greatly influenced by reading memoirs and other forms of
nonfiction to embrace the beautiful variety of people’s lives. I think there is
nothing more valuable to success or happiness than being both mindful and
grateful for mistakes. As a class reliant on creativity, having self-awareness
(in such a way that is in no way sabotaged by self-criticism, the obsession of
perfection, or comparison) is a major component to success. The articles I
chose below address how merciful self-analysis goes hand in hand with the
tyrant of self-criticism that curbs creative enthusiasm. Learning how to help others
cultivate this awareness involves feedback, so learning tips to participate in
their process of making mistakes, learning, and creating in the most impactful,
positive way is important.
“A Simple 5-Second Habit to Rewire Your HarshlySelf-Critical Brain” by Joel Almeida
I appreciate the prescriptive approach Almeida took in his
article advertising the effects of a technique he calls “REBS” on mental
health. “REBS,” or reality-based self-congratulation, is a ritual that when put
to practice can transform your brain to be more positive and resilient in the
midst of motivation fluctuation and minor setbacks. I love the idea of giving
yourself grace when you’re not firing on all cylinders and celebrating the
small stuff. The science behind self-care is essentially a maintenance plan to
prevent rather than treat stress. His linked page of “45 Simple Self-Care
Practices for a Healthy Mind, Body, and Soul” has 15 fixes for each aspect of
our selves that need TLC to function at full capacity. It includes advice to
punctuate your day with purposeful intersessions to bring balance back into a
life made perpetually unstable due to society-driven priorities that put
ourselves into disrepair. Some of my favorites include “activate [a]
self-soothing system” for a body experiencing sensory overload, “use your
commute for a “beauty scavenger hunt”” for a soul that is present and
appreciative of all that is good around us, and to “pay complete attention to
something you usually do on autopilot” to exercise a mind so often focused on
too many things simultaneously. The author analyzes the figures to find a
solution to silence the callus self-critic inside all of us. Some might see his
method of REBS as a sort of stick and carrot cliché, but there is something
psychologically and physiologically repairing about this sort of sympathetic pep-talk
he promotes. It helps that Almeida not only uses himself and his healthy eating
endeavor as an example, but he also dedicates the whole last half of the
article on how to apply REBS to a variety of situations whether you’re a professional
with a lot on their plate or just a person trying to improve their life one
step at a time. The payoff of his method? “Instead of brooding over setbacks,
you begin treating each setback as a springboard for small helpful steps,
accompanied by self-congratulation,” someone with compassion for themselves
establishes mechanisms of coping with and overcoming inopportune realities for
more positive outcomes.
“Seven Ways to Crush Self-Doubt in Creative Work” by John
Spencer
Everyone is uncomfortable in an unfamiliar environment, and
it’s hard to be our best as a beginner in any context. Author John Spencer
speaks about the complexities of self-doubt and its crippling effects on levels
of confidence and by extension, execution of tasks made exponentially harder or
impossible thanks to insecurity. Spencer does not boast as a professional, but
his advice as an amateur is just as valuable as someone speaking from a level
of comradery. He talks about how losing sight of our personal abilities and
achievements is often spurred by comparison to others’ related skills and thus
curbs creative freedom. Also, he voices his opinion of perfectionism as an overrated
enterprise. Striving for an illusion of perfection drains the thrill of the wonderfully
imperfect process of improvement. His observation that vulnerability is an
asset denied by many made me realize how being passive to others about the
truth of our feelings or situations only cheapens our relationships. So many of
us are unwilling to meet each other in our depths, preferring relationships
that never pass the surface. As social creatures, making ourselves recluses seems
silly and sad and seems to serve no purpose. I love the attention he put on the
concept of growth mindset we have already addressed and setting goals that are realistic
and personally fulfilling. He also talks about the difficulties of bringing an
air of experimentation to places strict and standardized. All of his ideas are
so forward-thinking and encouraging. It seems that at the core, his advice
could be narrowed down to something along the lines of letting your identity
lead the way. I find it hard to believe that with his advice as an arsenal that
anyone could suffer from self-doubt.
(My own mug features a quote quite appropriate for the topic of discussion; Image Source: Personal Photo)
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