This post is meant to speak to the artists who are paying the bills by being at the desk online and make our living by generating content and ideas.
I think the main thing I’ve noticed in my year and a half online is the sucking in quality that social media and the online world can have. And that after some time, it can feel like a small town.
The sucking in small town effect comes in the form of emotional and energetic drain or un-groundedness. A looking at what everyone else is doing and/or a sinking feeling that you either aren’t doing enough or aren’t doing it sexy enough or sparkly enough and you’ve put a large percentage of your focus outward.
Have you noticed the twitter circles are largely cyclical in terms of contact and content? How can we expand outward beyond our small town? How can we contribute new and refreshing and helpful ideas to each other based on our own explorations and personal evolutions?
It’s totally possible to sit at your desk for sometimes 10+ hours working. Writing, checking twitter, emailing, doing interviews, retweeting, coaching, fixing things on your website (or emailing your wizard to fix them), updating, checking twitter again, answering coaching inquiries, scheduling clients, etc etc. You know the drill. We are all involved in it.
As much as we have all been deeply affected in profound ways by the connections the internet brings, I truly don’t feel the the fundamental driving forces of the artist can genuinely be met online.
And those fundamental driving forces are in my humble experiential opinion: Curiosity and Wonder.
This Curioisty and Wonder takes place in real time out in the world with no agenda and good chunks of regular open space time.
There are several ideal ways that you can, like I have learned, replenish and thus generate original, interesting material that is full of integrity and not ripped off even in the slightest way from others (a note on the whole rip-off thing: there’s not much we can do about it. My personal solution is to fly higher. Keep generating newer and more interesting material to benefit others.)
* Aimlessly Wander. This is a practice that is taught in the Shambhala Warrior training that I completed and is the idea of my teacher Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Basically, you go outside with maybe some money or your debit card and maybe your iPhone set to Airport, or none of those things. You just go out. Maybe you take the train, maybe you drive, maybe you just walk. What you do, is you let yourself be pulled in any direction that you want, and you look at things and stop when you feel, and move again when you feel. You may find yourself inside a restaurant or sitting at a sidewalk cafe or you may never sit down, or you may sit on a bench for as long as you like. The whole time you are looking and noticing and letting yourself wander aimlessly. It can go on for hours. It’s done in a very relaxed state and you let your conceptual mind rest and go along for the direction and ride that your senses pull you in. It’s as if you were seeing everything for the first time.
* Follow your interests. You see something or read something. Research it. Read up on it. Figure out why you are drawn to it, and what could you offer people by making a connection to the thing you are interested in and your life.
* Travel. It opens you up. You don’t need all that much money. Everyone knows someone that is a train ride or bus ride away that will let you stay with them for a few nights. It’s a huge pain in the ass to pack and find dog care and not have the right pillow while you are away. Believe me I know. I just got back from two weeks on the West Coast and I have a stiff neck from pillows that were like rocks. BUT I also have about 5,000 photographs and I can’t wait to go back again next month. Just get out of Dodge for a couple days and walk around somewhere by yourself or with someone you love and who doesn’t push your buttons and that you feel totally relaxed around. And of course if you have the dough, go as far and as unfamiliar as you can.
* Explore neighborhoods, especially ones where you can be immersed in another culture and the food. If you live in the burbs, head into the city for the day and don’t shop. Get lost. Eat weird things.
* Start blocking out giant swaths of white space on the weekends and see what happens. Resist housework or errands or chores. Maybe at first for the first few weekends you have no idea how to stop or what to do, but by the fourth weekend, you find yourself making Croissants from scratch. Or a 4-decker cake with frosting and dancers on top.
* Read something difficult and classic and find ways that it relates to your life hundreds of years later.
* Join that online scavenger hunt thing. You know the one where you find stuff that’s hidden all around the world and that’s in every city and town? And you go out with a compass or whatever and try and find the little toy?! I forget what it’s called. It’s SUCH an awesome way to get outside and play and use your explorer nature! (Anyone know what’s it’s called?)
These are all blog post ideas!! Originally from you and I’m sure you can make them “consistent with your brand and message” HAR!
These are my ways to Generate New Material: Be an Explorer in the ways I’ve suggested above or feel free to offer some way you are an Explorer and Generate New Material in the comments section!
* Photo of me a few days ago in a restaurant after I was wandering around and got hungry.
{ 42 comments }
It’s called geocaching! My husband and I have done it a few times and it was a lot of fun. We have only ever done it on hiking trails but that rocks my world anyway.
Love this post, Bindu.
Bindu I looooooooooooove your posts. And I loooooooooove even more that you ONLY write when you FEEL like it. For subscribers like me, the wait between posts just adds to the suspense and excitment of what delicious content you have for us. So thankyou for your authenticity. Big hugs from Sunny Coast, Aus
Susana XOXO
“As much as we have all been deeply affected in profound ways by the connections the internet brings, I truly don’t feel the the fundamental driving forces of the artist can genuinely be met online.”
This part really touched me and I totally agree. When spending hours and hours online, my classes start to feel stale and I feel stale. And then I feel the need to wander. I live in Rio de Janeiro, and it is amazing how many times I forget that as I live in my internet world, swirling around, in what feels very surreal. Wandering feels real and in my soul I am a gypsy. Thanks so much for articulating this. And I will definitely do more wandering- it is so nurturing.
Another great post, Bindu. Thank you! As for the treasure hunt, I think you mean geocaching (and I don’t think you do it online). I’m no expert; have never done it, and it does sound cool. Here’s a link: http://www.geocaching.com/
what a timely post for me to find this morning, thank you.
i can relate to the sinking feeling i get when comparison arises in me.
i have dealt with it thus far by getting back to the simple things that
jazz me in everyday moments and i appreciate your suggestions here-thanks!
I feel like going out right now, in my robe and morning hair, and wandering. Seriously. Inspired.
Geo caching or letter boxing, I believe is the term you are looking for.
Great post, thank you!
Oh my, this here little paragraph
It’s totally possible to sit at your desk for sometimes 10+ hours working. Writing, checking twitter, emailing, doing interviews, retweeting, coaching, fixing things on your website (or emailing your wizard to fix them), updating, checking twitter again, answering coaching inquiries, scheduling clients, etc etc
Is EXACTLY how I spend my days. Currently, you just need to add scriptwriting, filming, video editing and product development to that list and you have my life.
Is it any wonder I get up at 5:30am?
Thanks for this. I was just at an intense writing residency at Vermont College of Fine Arts where I kept myself away from email, Facebook, Twitter – the Internet, in essence. I felt so…centered.
It’s the New Year and now I’m back online – because *there* is so much valuable information about there, because I *do* have incredible cyber friends. But I am hyper aware of how it threatens my energy level and takes me away from large swaths of time to just think. I can’t just “be” creative in between Tweets and FB updates, for instance.
When I first moved to New York, my favorite thing to do was just get off at random subway stops and wander. It did replenish me. I’m now in Paris, the inspiration for my blog. I think I need to my aimless wandering approach again, though. And what better place to explore?
Thanks for the reminder.
Sometimes if the babysitter is here I have to go and work from a tea shop or other place. I feel such a difference in that then when at home. When I get over processed from the computer, my naturally introverted self is already out in the world and I talk myself into going just one place, sometimes just wandering around a thrift store and talking to people.
Thank you for writing this, I’m going to think more about the travel one. I feel the need for that deeply. Perhaps can translate it into my work…
xo
Allowing yourself the time to watch really crappy movies. Pulling out Rilke after 20 yrs & reconnecting to the Duino Elegies. Joining the gym & going. Or not–and being okay with both.
I’m with you on the drain factor, too. It really takes discipline to be both fun & relevant online — rather than falling into the clique factor, which can just be laziness in disguise.
I love this post because to me is screams “ALLOW”! I really schedule my time and try to keep myself busy… if I do have downtime I find myself wanting to rest or just relax and sometimes I start searching for more busy work. The idea of adding time to “replenish” sounds even more rewarding! Letting yourself explore and be a curious wonder was the premise of my blog all those years ago when I got started upon moving to Seattle. I think I need to revisit that curiosity and allowing!! Thanks, Bindu! As always
Curiosity and wonder have always been my driving force. This is what replenishes me the most and what fuels my journey! And to see serendipity at work when we live with gusto.
Thanks!
@binduwiles also has a good post today http://binduwiles.com/replenish-part-3-be-an-explorer-to-generate-new-ideas/
Love this: Replenish, Be An Explorer To Generate New Ideas: http://bit.ly/eb6E0r by @BinduWiles (totally what I do in new cities)
Dear Bindu,
I am in awe of the timing of this post. The best content online is coming from those “living” on earth, which also means they are not busy being “top anything” online. And even now, so many have read this, agree, but will continue to remain on same path. It takes real time effort and sincere wonder to explore and engage. Most are willing to live out a fantasy. Moreover, you know how I can tell someone is an “earth explorer” ? Their tweets are not just damn quotes or about their own posts. Someone told me I shared interesting stuff on twitter. I was like: um, I am following the dame people as you; I am genuinely curious, and not for a “retweet” back.
Thanks for this and for you being you.
-annie
Brilliance from @binduwiles: Replenish. Part 3. Be An Explorer To Generate New Ideas. http://t.co/sn6eFVv
Powerful and wise stuff Bindu. So glad I was led to your site and blog. I was just contemplating ways to develop new content for my blog and WOW you nailed it. The beauty of your ideas is the richness of life and self that these exercises encourage, as well. Thank you Thank you Thank you
http://www.fertilityfromtheheart.com
Balance is what I got from this post. Sitting at your desk for 10+ hours is a strain on just about anything. It is the nature of the beast. However, enjoying what you do definitely makes it all worthwhile. You do however, have to experience different aspects of everything. Balancing this ensures on going creativity and success. Thank you for this post as it has helped me to remember balance.
Pamela
RT: Amazing post from an amazing woman. Really. http://binduwiles.com/replenish-part-3-be-an-explorer-to-generate-new-ideas/ @binduwiles
Once again a very timely and energizing post. It’s really about getting unstuck and out of one’s comfort zone. Here in LA I have often just gotten into my car and driven around looking for interesting (whatever that is at that moment) places to photograph. I think though I want to expand further – I keep thinking of Santa Barbara for some random reason. Thank you again for making me think…and more importantly spurring me to action!
I really like the idea of aimlessly wandering. I have, at times, gotten lost in my day, in between errands and hard times to be hard places, but the idea of a free day, with no expectations, outside the house? I love it. Will give it a go.
hot stuff from @binudwiles: driving forces of the artist canNOT genuinely be met online http://t.co/Y4IXssv
RT @DanielleLaPorte: hot stuff from @binudwiles: driving forces of the artist canNOT genuinely be met online http://t.co/Y4IXssv
RT @DanielleLaPorte: hot stuff from @binudwiles: driving forces of the artist canNOT genuinely be met online http://t.co/Y4IXssv
Mmmm. I could happily just eat up your words for my dinner.
But instead I’m going out to aimlessly wander for a bit after a day working on human rights reports that break my heart, fuel my passion and stoke my activist fire – then I’m coming home to have dinner with the friend who has moved in with me for a while so that we can meditate, cook, eat, wander and and generally be really, really curious together.
Because not only can the driving forces of the artist not be met online, my deep need for spiritual communion or sangha cannot genuinely be met online either. Although I’m deeply grateful for my spiritual companions met online and scattered all over the world. xx
How do you fuel your curiosity and wonder? @binduwiles suggests aimlessly wandering (and I agree): http://bit.ly/ffEXoz
Bindu, this is brilliant, you are doing such important work for others by exploring yourself.
My last blog post was about giving yourself permission to create, it’s the same thing here – allowing yourself the freedom, the time the white space to explore, internally, and externally.
I’m so pleased you come back here to us in between you wanderings though.
Very true Bindu. My day job requires me to be at the computer for most of the time and then I am blogging in my spare time. I need to fit more ‘wandering time’ into my day.
If people have internal barriers to ‘wandering aimlessly’ I’d recommend taking a camera/videocamera and make it a goal to get some shots of places you’ve not been before – a good way to get out and about without feeling completely directionless!
"I truly don’t feel the the fundamental driving forces of the artist can genuinely be met online" http://bit.ly/gc724U via @binduwiles
It’s a hard thing to balance–the being plugged in and online, and doing to things far away from the screen that replenish us. It’s almost easier to be all on or all off than find the delicate balance of engaging and also of walking away. The online world has a pulse of its own, like a city, and there’s a fear of missing something important. Though I find when I do manage to walk away, I wonder what all the fuss is about. The internet is not the center of the world, even if it sometimes feels that way.
My solution is to take many walks. Also, unless I’m traveling I don’t use an iphone. I have a cell phone but don’t have it web enabled. I like not having the internet in my pocket. I like to preserve the possibility of still getting lost. That’s where the good stuff is found.
must read. driving forces of the artist canNOT genuinely be met online http://t.co/Y4IXssv by @binduwiles
Yep. “@so_you_know: must read. driving forces of the artist canNOT genuinely be met online http://t.co/wjr8kuQ by @binduwiles”
RT @so_you_know: must read. driving forces of the artist canNOT genuinely be met online http://t.co/Y4IXssv by @binduwiles
Yesterday a friend asked me to drive her to the airport in Flint, an hour from my home in Lansing, MI. I was all for it, an hour with my friend to strengthen relationship is enough bait for me.
I collect cities, and prefer them with skyscrapers and subway trains. However, I used to work in Flint at night several days a week and never got to adventure during the day. I got off at an exit where I knew there was a lot of commercial activity, and looked for some ethnic food.
First I found a little grocery called Dale’s Natural Foods. When I’d worked downtown Flint, there was a corner shop called “Dale’s Foods for Health, and Caramel Corn Shop.” I loved it. Caramel Corn & freshly-made beet juice, with all the characters of the city in a tiny space. Turns out Dale’s son transformed it into a lovely grocery (sans caramel corn) and we had a nice chat while I was there.
Then I found a mideastern restaurant which has only been there 2 months. I eat a lot of Lebanese (Michigan has more Lebanese folks than Lebanon at this point). This one had a chef from Israel, and I could taste the love in his food. I got to talk with him a bit, and tell him I appreciated his artful flavors.
A day alone out of my house, for me, never turns out into a day of quiet aloneness. I can end up chatting with the security guard if you give me enough access. However, a day in a totally new place can truly renew me, people or not.
Thanks for this post. Lovely thoughts to ponder.
Oh how I love this post by @binduwiles. Thanks for the gorgeous creative inspiration on this beautiful day. http://bit.ly/ghM7a8
@binduwiles recent post Explorer straight to heart. http://bit.ly/hh5C15 Will you join #LoveSparks Blogging Festival http://bit.ly/f0MFOv xo
I’ve been pondering the same questions myself, feeling, also, the small-townyness of Twitter and SM. I’ve been reaching out to more people, taking the risk of posting a different kind of content. It’s helping break the closed circle. The other thing I’ve done is change the rhythms of my internet time. I come online at new times, stay off for longer periods. I’m reading fewer blogs but really savoring those. And I’m reading more books and talking to the flesh and bone people in my life more. I really love your work, Bindu. It inspires me to think about things in new ways.
Such wonderfully inspiring posts… they were worth the wait!
"I truly don’t feel the the fundamental driving forces of the artist can genuinely be met online" http://bit.ly/gc724U via @binduwiles
RT @ElenaBrower: "I truly don’t feel the the fundamental driving forces of the artist can genuinely be met online" http://bit.ly/gc724U …
I love this piece. Here's to Curiosity + Wonder. Thank you, @binduwiles! http://bit.ly/ffEXoz