Think about your social groups. The specific people you interact with on a regular basis, daily or weekly. Who are they? For me, it’s my immediate family, my partner, my work team, and my theatre studio. All things considered, it’s a pretty small group of people.
Now, consider the effect those people have on your day. One of my favorite quotes is from Thoreau: “To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.” How do your communities affect the quality of your day? Do you feel energized after your work call? Anxious after your virtual happy hour? Grateful after your family dinner?
Try taking just a few minutes after any social interaction, and doing a little self-assessment. Note how you feel—maybe keep a log for a day or a week. Then, look back over your interactions, and notice any patterns or glaring omissions. Do any of your social groups make you feel confident? Supported? Loved? Challenged?
For creators (i.e. everyone), it is vital to surround ourselves with those who challenge us to grow. Yes, we absolutely need people who will support us unconditionally, those who provide comfort and safety during difficult times. And we also need people who will nudge us when our work is off-base, who will cheer us on when we choose the discomfort zone, and who will consistently get down in the creative mud right next to us.
As an example, my version of this community is the Jen Waldman Studio. Before and throughout the pandemic, this group of people has consistently challenged me to build a creative practice, to show up and share my work, and to face difficult questions head-on. I can trace most of my pandemic-era creative endeavors—the Pandemigram project, my first short-form cabaret, even this very blog—back to a spark I experienced during or after a JWS event.
The magic is, I don’t even necessarily have to be actively participating in the discussion in order to walk away feeling inspired. The mere act of surrounding myself with others who courageously and vulnerably share their work is enough to fill me with creative energy—and to dare me to ultimately share my own work.
We need these communities. We cannot grow if the soil in which we plant ourselves isn’t fertile. If you notice that the people you’re surrounded by aren’t inspiring you—or worse, are actively dragging you down—I challenge you to seek out a group, online or socially distanced, who will help you discover your best work.
Originally published here on February 10, 2021. Social sharing image by Skye Studios on Unsplash.