Love your articulation of this. I’ve been thinking a lot about inspiration and where it comes from, and how it transforms into ideas. There’s so much emphasis on getting inspiration from outside ourselves (I.e content) and hardly any on the internal reflection, which you’ve described so nicely as percolation. I think it’s because absorbing content makes us feel productive, and you can’t really quantify percolation. But as you say, ideas need time to breathe! Thanks for sharing this.
I'm sorry I didn't see this until now, Rach, especially because it's such an apt point!! You reminded me that years ago I wrote a piece on "the eternal struggle between creation and consumption"; I just reread it and find myself in many of the same patterns. So maybe it's not something we outgrow, but rather, something we become more conscious of, year by year? Here's the piece in case it might spark something in you! https://magenta.as/the-eternal-struggle-to-balance-creation-and-consumption-3ad26733250b
Yes! Love this. I call it putting something in the rock tumbler and then waiting to see what kind of gem comes out (or not). Might have to be an 80s kid to get this, but I love thinking of my mind as a rock tumbler working in polishing various materials.
Wellll, this '80s kid was obsessed with rock tumblers, and this is a PERFECT visual metaphor. And when that idea comes out all polished and smooth?? Like a magic trick!
Percolation is the new (and way better) procrastination! I'm in!
Unfortunately, most of my good ideas come to me during fits of insomnia. I've never been awake ENOUGH to get my butt out of bed and do something about them. 😂
Love this so much! I’m definitely a percolator. Just realized I’d been percolating on something for 18 months that very well may be a book idea. I kept telling myself it was just a minor obsession, and that the places I was visiting were just for fun. But suddenly it hit me yesterday: it’s something more! Ideas take time to collect momentum and energy, and emerge when they’re ready.
YESSSS!! Oooh, I can totally relate to the "minor obsession" idea. You just made me realize I've been digging into a specific topic for months (definitely a minor obsession) yet I'm not sure why, or what exactly it is "for." Except that it's fascinating to me.
There's always something more there, and I am taking your example as inspiration.
Also...can't wait to hear more about this book idea when it's ready to be born.
I'm a huge fan of percolating. Some things can't be forced. We might need to feed the fuel actively. Even an almost boiling pot needs heat. And ideas also need fuel to emerge. That fuel could be taking a break, napping, walking in the woods, conversing with trusted ones, etc. But all the while, ideas are simmering, percolating, and gathering energy to boil and become.
Love your articulation of this. I’ve been thinking a lot about inspiration and where it comes from, and how it transforms into ideas. There’s so much emphasis on getting inspiration from outside ourselves (I.e content) and hardly any on the internal reflection, which you’ve described so nicely as percolation. I think it’s because absorbing content makes us feel productive, and you can’t really quantify percolation. But as you say, ideas need time to breathe! Thanks for sharing this.
I'm sorry I didn't see this until now, Rach, especially because it's such an apt point!! You reminded me that years ago I wrote a piece on "the eternal struggle between creation and consumption"; I just reread it and find myself in many of the same patterns. So maybe it's not something we outgrow, but rather, something we become more conscious of, year by year? Here's the piece in case it might spark something in you! https://magenta.as/the-eternal-struggle-to-balance-creation-and-consumption-3ad26733250b
Yes! Love this. I call it putting something in the rock tumbler and then waiting to see what kind of gem comes out (or not). Might have to be an 80s kid to get this, but I love thinking of my mind as a rock tumbler working in polishing various materials.
Wellll, this '80s kid was obsessed with rock tumblers, and this is a PERFECT visual metaphor. And when that idea comes out all polished and smooth?? Like a magic trick!
Bravissimo, Kara!
Outstanding article and concept!
Percolating: Time it takes to align your head, heart, and soul on a new project!
I adore that framing! You're so right — and we can always feel the "click" when everything does align.
Percolation is the new (and way better) procrastination! I'm in!
Unfortunately, most of my good ideas come to me during fits of insomnia. I've never been awake ENOUGH to get my butt out of bed and do something about them. 😂
Ahhh! Well I am SUCH a fan of just scribbling down everything in the moment, especially in my Notes app...and figuring out what it all means later!!
In the shower, driving in my car, while running, whenever when I am ‘not thinking’
Running — absolutely. It’s almost like the metronome of our feet drums up ideas with every step!!
I love your vivid description...
takes the pressure off project timing...
and life!
Excellent piece, Kara. I’ve definitely been percolating on my Substack!
Thank you! And you're building it, drop by drop! Can't wait to get that first issue.
Love this so much! I’m definitely a percolator. Just realized I’d been percolating on something for 18 months that very well may be a book idea. I kept telling myself it was just a minor obsession, and that the places I was visiting were just for fun. But suddenly it hit me yesterday: it’s something more! Ideas take time to collect momentum and energy, and emerge when they’re ready.
YESSSS!! Oooh, I can totally relate to the "minor obsession" idea. You just made me realize I've been digging into a specific topic for months (definitely a minor obsession) yet I'm not sure why, or what exactly it is "for." Except that it's fascinating to me.
There's always something more there, and I am taking your example as inspiration.
Also...can't wait to hear more about this book idea when it's ready to be born.
I'm a huge fan of percolating. Some things can't be forced. We might need to feed the fuel actively. Even an almost boiling pot needs heat. And ideas also need fuel to emerge. That fuel could be taking a break, napping, walking in the woods, conversing with trusted ones, etc. But all the while, ideas are simmering, percolating, and gathering energy to boil and become.
"Boil and become"!!! Love that. And the power of breaks and naps and walks and talks. All freedom to take a step back and give ourselves space...