I really enjoyed this, and found it insightful as I navigate similar questions -- after a long "sabbatical", how can I take the pressure of my writing, agenda-less writing, and finding/creating work that's good enough so I can write without agenda. Appreciate having your thoughts on the subject!
the internal and external continues to rear its head from time to time, but the more I've become conscious of it, the more spaciousness I can create around agenda-less writing and good work
> I know I wrote those words, but I don’t remember how I assembled that sentence or how I arrived at that conclusion. I got lost in the writing and it naturally flowed through me.
Great essay, Cissy! This paragraph really stuck a chord with me as I'm trying to write more and not get in my own way.
"It took giving myself the permission to write again with no agenda other than self-expression to slip into deep states of flow. Often this feeling is so powerful that when I re-read my essays, I’m met with awe. I know I wrote those words, but I don’t remember how I assembled that sentence or how I arrived at that conclusion. I got lost in the writing and it naturally flowed through me."
getting out of our own way 💯 it's ironic how often we can subconsciously pull ourselves out of flow when we're writing from a place of ego, perfection, or overanalysis
I’m so glad you come back and write because I enjoy your writing so much. You are able to put into words, all the thoughts that are in my head!
There is a lot of pressure to focus on getting a well paying job. It affords opportunity, security and, even though people don’t often admit or even realise it, social status.
So how do you detach yourself from that world? That’s why your pieces are so great. You are in it, examining it, just like I am.
I just wanted to highlight so many things from this piece. Loved it!
grappling with the questions of "ultimate concern" together – makes us realize that we're all navigating these questions, perhaps just from different angles of the same questions. it's incredible how much of our attachments are subconscious and how often the philosophies we hold have been deeply ingrained in our being as a result of being brought up in certain ways
it's a lifetime of continuously freeing ourselves!
Cissy thanks for sharing this excellent conversation with us. I especially loved your qualifier that perhaps the most important thing is to lose the agenda. I too have found that when I no longer need to identify with a specific path that I have greater freedom to show up more fully.
seeing everyone was awesome! always enjoy these get-togethers, and it reinforces being a weirdo on this path
nothing better than being in the company of fellow pathless friends :)
I really enjoyed this, and found it insightful as I navigate similar questions -- after a long "sabbatical", how can I take the pressure of my writing, agenda-less writing, and finding/creating work that's good enough so I can write without agenda. Appreciate having your thoughts on the subject!
the internal and external continues to rear its head from time to time, but the more I've become conscious of it, the more spaciousness I can create around agenda-less writing and good work
rooting for you on your journey, Emily :)
> I know I wrote those words, but I don’t remember how I assembled that sentence or how I arrived at that conclusion. I got lost in the writing and it naturally flowed through me.
“STER”: selfless, timeless, effortless, rich!
(Properties of a flow state.)
Ted Gioia just wrote a great piece on flow you might enjoy: https://www.honest-broker.com/p/how-we-lost-the-flow
Great essay, Cissy! This paragraph really stuck a chord with me as I'm trying to write more and not get in my own way.
"It took giving myself the permission to write again with no agenda other than self-expression to slip into deep states of flow. Often this feeling is so powerful that when I re-read my essays, I’m met with awe. I know I wrote those words, but I don’t remember how I assembled that sentence or how I arrived at that conclusion. I got lost in the writing and it naturally flowed through me."
getting out of our own way 💯 it's ironic how often we can subconsciously pull ourselves out of flow when we're writing from a place of ego, perfection, or overanalysis
Thanks Cissy I just bought Paul’s book and look forward to reading it!
enjoy, Dave!
This is where I am heading right now. I’m at yet another crossroads - but this time I think I’m taking the right path towards my real passions 💚
good luck to you, Bronwen, as you navigate the crossroads :) turns out, the journey is full of them!
And to you - yes there are many twists and turns and crossroads in this life 💚
I’m so glad you come back and write because I enjoy your writing so much. You are able to put into words, all the thoughts that are in my head!
There is a lot of pressure to focus on getting a well paying job. It affords opportunity, security and, even though people don’t often admit or even realise it, social status.
So how do you detach yourself from that world? That’s why your pieces are so great. You are in it, examining it, just like I am.
I just wanted to highlight so many things from this piece. Loved it!
grappling with the questions of "ultimate concern" together – makes us realize that we're all navigating these questions, perhaps just from different angles of the same questions. it's incredible how much of our attachments are subconscious and how often the philosophies we hold have been deeply ingrained in our being as a result of being brought up in certain ways
it's a lifetime of continuously freeing ourselves!
Cissy thanks for sharing this excellent conversation with us. I especially loved your qualifier that perhaps the most important thing is to lose the agenda. I too have found that when I no longer need to identify with a specific path that I have greater freedom to show up more fully.
ah, the courage to show up fully – perhaps the essence of what life is truly about. love to see you embrace that freedom on your Substack :)
this is beautiful - thank you!