Give people permission

just by showing up, Joy Ride Vol 20

On Tuesday we talked about how it’s a little bit painful to watch modern dance with all the bendy knees and whatnot; and how playing with edges enables the pursuit of the new and the creation of space for what might come next.

Modern dance teaches us that looking good isn’t the point. The same goes for writing. Margo’s essay reminded me of this quote from Chuck Palahniuk in Consider This:

“Writing isn’t about looking good. The point is to give people permission to tell their own stories and exhaust their emotional attachment and reaction.” 

There’s a really good question circling this conversation and it has everything to do with permission: What does your work give people permission to do, see, feel, or be?

We can take it even further…consider both your end product and your practice.

Who sees (or hears about) you spending a little bit of time each day on your project? What might it give them permission to do?

In college, when I’d be writing a term paper in the middle of the night, I loved being able to look at AOL Instant Messenger and see the away messages of my friends and know that they were also doing school work. I felt less alone. I trudged on knowing that they were also scrambling to up their page count before daybreak. 

We dream of making something that opens up possibilities, shifts perspective, or gives comfort. We dream of making something that resonates. But what I’m struck by is how the process of making holds this power if we share it with others. When we create in community and share our small daily efforts, they become fuel for others as they endeavor to do the same. 

You show up and it gives someone else permission to do the same. Returning to your desk or keyboard or paintbrush or tools isn’t just for you. It’s for us too. We feel buoyed when we remember that you’re logged on too. 

Meet your new support system

Brainstorm Road is a community organized around taking one weekly action toward your dream project. Discover what it feels like to have a supportive tribe of people championing your ideas, providing feedback, and ready to drop what they’re doing to help you get unstuck.

Doors open in January. Come join us.