Starting with Contribution

I’ve always been fascinated by process, especially by the creative process behind the work that writers, artists, entrepreneurs, and other creators put out into the world.

I love those books and magazines featuring photos of studios and creative spaces, and don’t even get me started about headlines that include any mention of someone’s morning routine- move over Buzzfeed, that’s my kryptonite clickbait right there.

Over the years, I’ve noticed that a lot of prolific creators share certain aspects of their morning routines. There is often some kind of movement, meditation or quiet time, and lots of reading. 

So I’ve made it a priority over the years to begin my day similarly, and it’s always served me well.

But recently I’ve made a big change and it’s rocking my world just a bit.

I now create something first, before I do anything else. 

Before I look at my phone. Before I take the dog on a good walk. Before I meditate or read or journal.

Morning ablutions, pour coffee, make something.

Now, before you give me credit I don’t deserve, this is not to say that I write the Great American Novel or craft a hand-tooled saddle here. Nothing so grand as all that.

I simply take 15-20 min to work on something. Maybe it’s a blog post like this one. Maybe it’s sketching out an email I have planned. Maybe it’s refining something I’d previously drafted. Maybe it’s simply making a list of ideas I’d like to explore.

But at the core, I'm beginning my day with creation rather than consumption, and it’s been a total game-changer for me.

It’s so ludicrously basic: it simply feels really good to begin my day in this way. 

Here’s the thing- we live in a consumer culture. 

On every level. 

We consume not only goods and services, but information, at an unprecedented level. 

We carry these little computers in our pockets that constantly connect us to an overwhelming amount of content, be it social media, podcasts, online newspaper articles, books, videos, blogs, etc.

And while there is plenty of drivel out there, much of that content is incredible.

People are having riveting and thought provoking conversations, turning critical and solution-minded attention to the issues facing our world, reaching into the depths of the human imagination to create original writing/music/art.

As technology has made content more accessible to all of us, it has also made the creation of that content more democratic as well. So there is more of it than ever.

It’s pretty amazing. Truly.

But.

Consumption must be balanced with creation and contribution in order for us to feel whole in our lives.

Let me repeat that.

Consumption must be balanced with creation and contribution in order for us to feel whole in our lives.

Balanced.

Not replaced. Not denied.

Balanced.

And let me stop you now, before you say, “But Cindy, I’m not an artist or creative! I don’t make anything!” 

Yes. You do.

We all engage in acts of creation and contribution every single day.

Depending on your work and what you enjoy, that can look very different in each of our lives, but you are definitely creating and contributing- look closer.

When you listen with attentiveness and offer your solace or perspective when a friend or child or co-worker talks with you, you are creating connection and contributing your attention and love and experience.

When you grow something, be it a houseplant, a garden, a relationship, an idea- you are engaging in creation and your care contributes.

Any time you give of yourself, whether to others, to yourself, to the environment- you are contributing something.

Any time you make something- your bed, your lunch, a decision, someone smile, a piece of art or writing- you are creating something.   

And it’s possible that your balance is off. That you are currently consuming more than you are creating or contributing.

That’s okay. It happens to all of us. 

No big deal.

But I encourage you to think about ways you can balance that out.

I think you might be surprised by how good and energizing it feels to intentionally create/contribute in equal measure with what you consume.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Keep a stack of postcards handy and write a 3-minute note to a friend and drop it in the mail once or twice a week.

• Initiate a conversation with someone in your life and focus on being really present with them.

• Take 5 minutes to brainstorm a list of ideas- these can be anything from ideas related to your work to a list of fun things to do on your days off, or places you’d like to travel, or hobbies you’d like to try.

• Journal or free write- simply commit to not putting the pen down for 10-15 minutes and just see what pours out without judgment.

• Water your houseplants and take a minute or two with each one. Look closely, observe each one's growth, feel grateful, maybe talk to them (it works, I swear!).

• If you like to cook or bake, make sure you schedule in time each week to make something fun, a meal that isn’t rushed at the end of a long day, one that you can sink into the process of and really enjoy.

• Commit to volunteering or showing up to a community event. Find something that matters to you and take part. Maybe you help do trail maintenance at your local land trust once a month or simply attend Thursday morning group fitness classes- simply get out and take part.

The sky is the limit and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear from you with some additional suggestions or thoughts about the ways large and small that we can all add creation and contribution to our lives- leave a comment and share your suggestions. We can help each other live more richly when we share our ideas!

Stay curious out there!