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Lesson Learned: Freelancer Survival Tip

Freelance Journey

Hey everyone. It’s the day before Friday, Wahoo!!!! I’m here today to talk about survival tips for all creative individuals. As a creative individual myself, I’m constantly being bombarded by this idea and that idea…everything swirling in my brain like a violent tornado. I’m sure you know the feeling and if you’re like me, you’re looking for ways to quiet the constant noise. Am I right?

I’ve got a crucial tip for you: When your brain is swirling uncontrollably…AVOID SHOWERS AND DRIVING IN THE CAR AT ALL COSTS!

It seems like every time I step foot into what should be a relaxing shower, I end up stepping back out with even MORE ideas swirling in my head. Must be something in the steam. Same goes for driving in a car. Sometimes I get all the way home without realizing I was evening driving. Scary! Now, if you’re in need of some creative fuel or the next great idea…GET IN THE SHOWER OR DRIVE YOUR CAR.

Does this happen to you guys? Any other things to avoid if your brain is swirling? Methods of controlling it?

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14 comments on “Lesson Learned: Freelancer Survival Tip”

  1. I don’t have much to add except that I have the same issue and it’s truly overwhelming. Speaking of driving while distracted, I’ve merged onto an interstate and didn’t really know how I got there. Talk about some serious not being present action happening. So, I’m up for learning how to control it as well. I found this comic not too long ago and your post reminded me of it.

    http://daronnefcy.com/post/25884521731

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    2. @Amber, that comic is awesome! I hate it when I get creatively overwhelmed in the evening. All I want to do is sleep and instead I’m laying in bed with all the juices flowing!

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      1. I find it very frustrating as well. Some nights I juggle the idea of just getting up and being productive. You can always sleep later, right?

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  2. I’m actually the exact opposite.

    When my mind is racing, I find either a long drive or a nice, long hot shower usually gives me time to make sense of all the random thoughts that occur within my head.

    I try to avoid ‘brain swirls’ by jotting any ideas down in my Moleskine as they come & will look over them throughout the day to see if things can start making sense or if I can find connections between some ideas. I just have to have it down on paper and be able to stare at it for a while before I’m able to control it.

    L.
    http://TheNativeNewYawker.com

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  3. Ha! I so agree with you. All of my best ideas have pretty much resulted from a long shower or drive. It makes sense to avoid those two activities when trying to quell the brainstorm!

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  4. YES every time I step in the shower or try to lay down in the bed. Well, pretty much anytime it is quite I am bombarded with ideas and keep thinking about them over and over.

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  5. Oh the shower thing is SO true–I always feel like the creep who is going to tell someone, “Oh I had this great idea about the project we’re working on while I was in the shower–YEAH, I think about that in the shower, wink wink.” Why can’t we get all our great ideas doing something amazingly sophisticated? You know, eating at a five star restaurant or reading NYT bestsellers.

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  6. yes, avoiding showers, car rides, time alone in general is important while in this state of mind. For me if I’m all jumbled in the head I find that taking my mind off of whatever is swirling around up there can give me fresh perspective. A good round of drama-filled TV (Breaking Bad, anyone?) or a good book does the trick for me. I get lost in another world and I come back to reality in a different place than I was at when I entered.

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  7. I can totally relate to this. I remember in art school I would be sitting at home, trying desperately to come up with a good enough concept to present to my teacher. I had noticed that showers where usually where I had my best ideas so on occasion I would hop in the shower in the plain hope of having some genius lightbulb moment. It worked sometimes, but its definitely not something you can force.
    It’s funny how we go online and scavenge pintrest for ideas but in the end it’s so easy to do the opposite and get completely overwhelmed, that all you need is a quiet non-inspiring space.

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    1. I’ve never thought about it like that. Showers and cars really are pretty bland when it comes to being an “inspiring” space. I like knowing that I can still come up with ideas when my surroundings are that simple. Great perspective 🙂

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  8. My brain always swells often right before I go to sleep and then I get a very restless night. I always write down my ideas in a book to control my thoughts.

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