How rituals can change your brain
Oh, hi friends!
I always thought that if you need specific conditions in which to do your work, it'll never get done. As much as I like the idea of ascribing magic to a certain pen, notebook, tea, breathing exercise, etc., adapting to circumstances feels more valuable (and realistic).
But, eh, I also like to change my mind.
Last week I was talking to my brother about how writing across all mediums can feel the same, and how that jumbles my brain and makes it hard to create a hierarchy of importance.
“Maybe you should create a ritual,” he said. Even if it’s as small as sitting in a specific chair while I’m writing scripts, or spending $5 at a coffee shop to make that my office for a dedicated task. Something—anything—to break up the jumble.
So that’s what I'll try.
How do rituals change the way you work? Do they make you a slave—or are they a salve?
“If you don’t make jokes throughout your film, your audiences will.”
Quality advice on making a short film from Jim Cummings. (h/t also from brother)
Getting Paid to Travel the World
Loved this profile of my friend Alison Peters, who’s a travel PR pro (and gave this very newsletter a lovely shoutout!). The piece is on a new digital home about women getting things done while working in communications.
Thank you for reading.
Love, Kara