Constraints create creativity

Why less is better for art and creative work

Lately, I have started writing about creativity on LinkedIn. By intending to write about creativity, I’ve had the fortune of discovering a lot about the creative process myself. It’s one thing to write from personal experiences, but to write with research, examples of others, and then adding one’s personal experience creates a rich mix of flavours, making it a complete comprehensive story.

In my search for reading and learning about creativity, I came across Dr. Seuss's story, which I wrote about in a LinkedIn post as well.

To tell you in short, in 1960, Dr. Seuss’s publisher made a $50 bet with him. The bet was that Dr. Seuss would have to write a children's book using only 50 words.

Yes! Only 50 words!

Now, before you read further, take 10 seconds and reflect on it.

• What do you think about this bet?

• Do you think such a bet would have limited Dr. Seuss's creativity?

• Was it wise for the publisher to place this constraint on an artist?

• Do you think the limitation would have helped, or would it have crippled him?

The result of the bet? Dr. Seuss wrote Green Eggs and Ham, a children's book using only 50 words.

The outcome? Green Eggs and Ham became one of the most beloved children's books of all time, selling over 200 million copies.

So, what do you think now? Did the constraint help Dr. Seuss?

Of course, it did! Not only did he win the $50 bet and millions from the book's sales, but he also won the love of millions of children around the world who enjoy his stories.

Often, creativity is linked to freedom. I’ve often heard — and found myself saying — things like:

• "I’ll write when inspiration strikes."

• "I’ll create art when I become better at it."

• "I’ll do yoga once I have time."

I’ve experienced something similar in my own writing journey. During the pandemic, while working full-time, I managed to write and publish several short stories:

• 4 stories on my website

• 1 children's story published on Pratham Storyweaver

• 6 children's books with pencilbricks Foundation

I barely had time to breathe, let alone write, yet I still managed to do it — stealing hours from my sleep, brimming with ideas.

Then, in June 2022, I left my full-time job to become a full-time creative professional. Since then?
I haven’t written a single short story.

Yes, I have written multiple pieces on different platforms, and I’ve written a book that’s in editing, but short stories? None. I often wonder: How did I manage to write when I had no time, but now, with all the time in the world, the short stories aren’t flowing?

After reflecting on Dr. Seuss’s example, I realized that as humans, we need structure around time and space. Having a framework allows us to carve out intentional time in our busy lives to do what we wish to do.

Ever since I moved to the mountains this January, I’ve been fortunate with my creative flow. I’ve written more than ever and even felt more creative than I ever have. However, I’ve also had to travel out of Bir many times for work, and while the nature of the work was creative, I often excused myself from continuing my other creative projects — like writing on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Substack — by saying things like:

• “I can’t be creative in cities.”

• “I need to be in my studio in the mountains to create.”

This often left me feeling irritated and frustrated about travelling because I couldn’t regulate my creative process.

Today, I’m writing this because I have to catch a bus to Delhi and then travel to Dehradun for a workshop that begins the day after tomorrow. The workshop is on Conscious Communication, and I’m excited to attend and share my learnings with all of you. :)

The workshop lasts a week, and afterwards, I’m headed to Nainital for a personal commitment. For the past week, I’ve been telling myself that I’ll only be able to create fully again once I’m back in the mountains next week.

But my own LinkedIn post and the research I did for it put me in check! I will use the constraints of time and space to be creative in whatever form and capacity possible.

This is a challenge I’m giving myself.

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I had a very busy and social week! I hosted two friends at home, attended the local Sair Mela, and finally got the chance to try Kangri Dham.

While I couldn’t take any photos of the Dham, I’m super excited to show you a glimpse of the Sair Mela that took place in my village.

Sair Mela, Gunehar

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A couple of months ago, I started featuring artists in my newsletter and named the section "Artist Lounge" I’ve decided to put it on hold for a while until I decide on a specific structure and discipline for it.

What I had been doing was asking my artist friends to send a photograph and a write-up. While I enjoyed talking about artists and sharing their work, the process lacked depth and intimacy. I will rethink the structure and resume it once I have clarity. I hope you allow me some time.

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However, I do have something very interesting planned in the meantime. Since my work revolves around writing and I’ve been facilitating writing spaces lately, I’ve been thinking of a way to introduce more structure to this weekly newsletter by offering a writing prompt. You can use the prompt to exercise your writing weekly!

If you feel like sharing it with me, I’m all ears (and eyes). You can either comment on the newsletter or reply back via email, and I’d be happy to help a few of you build a writing routine.

And if you don’t feel like sharing what you’ve written, that’s completely okay too!
As long as you’re creating and writing, I’m happy.

I invite you to reflect and write on the following prompt:

I have also included some reflection statements. Feel free to ignore them and write from your heart. In case you wish to write about something different, please go ahead. The invitation is to write. Everything else is just to help you.

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As a feature of all my newsletters, I share one song, one book, one plant-based meal, one film/video that inspired me, and some photographic updates from my life.

• Song: Mir Kashif’s Adaption is what poetry sounds like. Listen to it at night and surrender to it for half an hour. Thank me later!

• Book/Newsletter: I’m still reading All About Love by Bell Hooks.
  Another recommendation is this newsletter by

  Steinbergdrawscartoons
  !
  Loved the simplicity and the creativity.

• Meal: This week, I had Onam Sadya, enjoyed the delicacies at the Sair Mela, and savoured Kangra Dham at a local temple!

  

• Film/Video: Watched The Man from Earth, a recommendation from a friend whose taste I’m usually skeptical about. But this was easily one of the most striking films I’ve seen. Do give it a watch—the writing is brilliant.

• Photograph: I have so many photos to share from this week! It was super hard to pick only a few. Hope you enjoy them!

  

  

  

Hope you have a brilliant day and week ahead. Thank you for reading.