“It was simply that she was only fully alive when she devoted herself to her singular ability to draw, and when she drew she was always naturally alone.”
-Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins (h/t @IntotheForestDark)
What do you think:
*Do you find that you’re most yourself when you slip into your own creative work?
*Do any of you have creative interests — say, theatre — that involve the presence of others, as opposed to solitude?
*How do you balance your needs for solitude and connection, and how do these needs relate to your creative impulses?
Please, leave a comment, below!
P.S. The video replay (and written summary) of our “Just Us” Candlelight Chat, is coming soon, for our paid/scholarship subscribers!
I love to write and to paint, both best done in solitude for me. I can lose the sound of my own voice amidst others, or get lost in the quicksand of endless comparisons to others. Walking in the redwoods is also best in solitude for me, as I can better hear and feel the trees then. I continually work on the balance and maintaining enough social connections. But the truth is, I live most fully as myself when by myself. And now as an elder, I embrace that and no longer feel the need to somehow apologize for or try to change that.
Time disappears for me whenever I write, paint, or create something tangible out of ideas that choose me. Solo time is a desire that feels necessary to my well being. But for me the elevated sense of bliss comes afterwards - in sharing and gifting what grew out of that quiet time. I feel we were created to connect, but each in our own way, at our own pace - and in the right time and season of our lives. That changes. I’m learning to accept that. Thanks Susan for this soul-nurturing reflection. Many blessings to all.