Bullshit Creative Rules
A lesson in unlearning
I found this prime example of “show, don’t tell” in my local pool haul and it made me think about all the bullshit creative ‘rules’ we absorb over the years...
Over the past few years — partly since realising I’m neurodivergent as fuck — I’ve been focusing on ‘unlearning’ a lot of the unwritten rules around my work, creativity, and day-to-day life. For example:
questioning why something has to be done a certain way (hint: it doesn’t)
or if there might be more nuance behind a hard-and-fast rule (hint: there is)
or if I’ve unknowingly trapped myself within a methodology that simply does not work for my neurotype (hint: I have).
It’s an approach I’ve used in my coaching and mentoring for a decade, but rarely applied to myself (look, do as I say, not as I do, okay?), and has become even more important the more I work with autistic and ADHD folk.
Because whether you’re creating art or building a business, you end up spending more time and effort trying to battle against rigid rules and systems that just don’t suit your brain.
So I invite you to call bullshit on the whole shebang with me, starting with a very basic question:
What “bullshit rule” about [insert art form/work practice here] do you need to unlearn?
Because maybe you can’t write every day (but feel guilty about it).
Maybe you’re more efficient working piecemeal rather than linearly.
Maybe you need visuals instead of spreadsheets.
Maybe you’re a ‘bottom-up’ thinker and need all the moving parts in place before you can see the whole thing.
Maybe you get more done in one manic burst of ‘productivity’ than most people do in a whole week.
What actually works for you? Aaaaaaand have you spent your whole life thinking it’s ‘wrong’? Why? Because of... some bullshit rule?
Hmm. It’s certainly an interesting can of worms to bust open. And has honestly made the past few years the most enjoyable and creatively free period of my life.
So, if you want to learn/talk more about this kinda thing, here are three ways to do that:
Unfuck Your Writing — Creative Drop-in
Join me on my next monthly online hangout — this Wednesday, 27th May @ 6.3pm BST — on the topic of Bullshit Writing Rules and how they turn up in our writing.
This is a super chill group chat about all things creative; a chance to share your thoughts, ask for advice, find accountability, and generally just spend a lovely hour immersed in inspiration.
Creative Coaching for Neurodivergent Writers
(or anyone who wants to find a different way)
Book a one-to-one mentoring call (with optional feedback) to dive deeper into how your brain explores stories and explore ways of creating that help you find your flow.
Whether you’re right at the start of a story, stuck in the middle, tinkering with the finishing touches, or just want support with your creative practice, let’s do a lil’ brainstorming together.
Creative Coaching for Neurodivergent Business Owners
(or anyone who wants to find a different way)
Practical, flexible business support to help you organise, develop and implement your ideas, feel more authentic in your work, and enjoy what you do.
From project management, content planning, brand strategy, business development, marketing to copywriting, let me help you wrangle your ideas into something much more tangible (and much less overwhelming)…
And no matter what you do, here’s to finding your own way, and unlearning whatever bullshit rules don’t work for you.
Jo
: )
"You shouldn't offend your audience." (Turns out some audiences need to be offended)
Also, "You shouldn't mention things the audience might not know about." (Two words: Google it)
'Yo, sis,' another autistic here. They caught me at 9 y/o, but my family said I'd "be fine without help; thank you." I became caught up with the concept that rules for creativity existed, and for some reason, I always failed to conform to them just the way the teacher wanted...or the editor or the submission reader. I have wasted a lot of effort attempting to grok all the ‘rules’ for writing, drawing, painting, poetry. There have been a few teachers and submission readers that stand out for loving my upside-down ways. But guess what? And I keep allowing myself to try and follow the 'rules!' So, my current process is stop giving a f%^*! and just create…freely. Maybe there is an alien species that will understand.