Sunday Reading Ritual: Reads to replenish and recharge the creative mind
Where does inspiration come from? How does the creative mind work? How can we refill our own creative well or get unblocked? It’s National Novel Writing Month, so in the spirit of creative productivity, Pocket has bubbled up three articles that illuminate the creative mind and how it works. Explore how to foster your own creativity, understand how inspiration arises, and discover sources of inspiration for notable artists, writers, and thinkers.
Oliver Sacks on the Three Essential Elements of Creativity
Maria Popova, Brainpickings.org
Having some writer’s block? Are you doubting your creativity? Oliver Sacks, the late neurologist and writer, would tell us it’s all part of the process. But, contrary to the archetypal myth of the lone genius struck with a sudden Eureka! moment, this chaos doesn’t occur in a vacuum.
The slow death of purposeless walking
Finlo Rohrer, BBC
Walking for any distance is usually a planned leisure activity. Or something to help people lose weight or maintain their fitness. But there’s something else people get from choosing to walk. A place to think.
Secrets of the Creative Brain
Nancy Andreasen, The Atlantic
Take a peek inside the mind of a creative genius. A leading neuroscientist who has spent decades studying creativity shares her research on where genius comes from, whether it is dependent on high IQ—and why it is so often accompanied by mental illness.
So, you’ve made your way to the end. You’ve taken a break from what you’ve been working on and are hopefully feeling inspired to move forward with your own project. Be sure to add these stories to your Pocket for when you’re seeking inspiration or trying to overcome a creative block.
And did you know you could actually take a walk and listen to all these articles from Pocket? Try it out and kill two birds with one stone. (First, you’ll need to download Pocket if you haven’t already.)
Tweet to us @Pocket and tell us how you overcome a creative block or find inspiration.
