A list post is a lazy bloggers easy out, right?
I am just waiting for the ATOMIC blast.
It might come. It might not.
I really don’t believe that opening comment at all. There’s NOTHING wrong with a list post.
In fact, here are 5 reasons why list posts are dead.
There I go again.
I was simply trying to get your attention.
Now that I have it I better not waste the opportunity.
You know, I had written this post before today and I actually had it ready to go on Tuesday. What happened? Well, somehow I deleted the text in my attempt to add an image to my post. WordPress auto-saved and I panicked. I tried to exit the page and said yes when it asked me if I wanted out.
BIG mistake.
I normally write my blog posts in MS Word first, edit them and then copy and paste them to WordPress and do the final tweaking there. Not this time. I was in a hurry so I thought why not just write it in WordPress?
What’s the harm in that?
Well, karma is a bitch. As they say.
Ah, but I digress.
What’s an Interior Designer doing writing about list posts?
Well, designers make all kinds of lists.
Lists about the types of product they want to use, lists of images they want to use to articulate their design, lists of drawings to demonstrate their design ideas, lists of contractors and consultants that will help deliver the design and lists of errors the contractor has to fix before the job is complete. The punch list, as we so affectionately know it in the industry.
So, with all those lists used during a regular day of any Interior Designer’s life I thought I was as qualified to write a list post as anyone. I can certainly give tips on just about anything and relate the list to the design profession.
That got me thinking about creativity and I came up empty.
The well was dry.
And THAT got me thinking about how we can’t always be ON.
Doesn’t your ability to be creative occasionally need to rest; does it need time to regenerate or maybe some hasta la vista time?
Sure, but what then?
We need to dig deep, right?
We have to find it and the harder we try the harder it is to find. Sometimes you just need to let it go. Do something else. Get away from the cranial gymnastics.
Think about things a little differently.
So, instead of fighting it I simply took my own advice.
I let it go……
I dug out an old post that I wrote on August 8, 2011 back when no one knew who I was. I was 9 weeks into starting my blog and thought a list of fun stuff would be great to publish. I didn’t even know what a list post was back then. The backs of my ears are still pretty damp but I think I have learned a few things since then.
I am repurposing he says in a jaunty tone all proud and…..well…. jaunty.
Here it is.
Well, ok, that’s not really it. No more kidding around.
Now before we start I have to warn you the following list is a commitment. You may simply want to choose one or two of the questions that interest you otherwise you may be here for 40+ minutes and we wouldn’t want that, now would we?
You will laugh and you will cry and maybe you will forget some of the pressing things you have to do for a little while.
Or maybe you won’t. I will likely never know.
At any rate, I hope you enjoy it.
So, here goes:
- When was the last time you stopped and took a look around? Is that cliche?
- When was the last time you took a deep breathe? It that too obvious?
- When was the last time you really listened to someone? Is that condescending?
- When was the last time you helped out someone just because it feels good? Is that judgemental?
- When was the last time you found something so funny you couldn’t breathe? Is that just silly?
- When was the last time you didn’t complain because you know it’s not constructive? Is that sanctimonious?
- When was the last time you called a friend out of the blue? Is that necessary?
- When was the last time you did something for yourself without thinking? Is that selfish?
- When was the last time you read something and really understood it? Is that redundant?
- When was the last time?
That’s it. A total of 19 questions. How do you feel?
Over to you:
What do you do when your creativity has left the room? What techniques do you use or what activities help you get back in the flow? What do you do to forget the pressure to always be on?
A quirky sense-o-humour coupled with an indelible sense of stylish sarcasm makes it difficult to take the world too seriously doesn't it? My faves: fun, passion and hard work. I work here everyday: www.designdialog.ca
I enjoy list posts because someone has put a ton of work in thinking about that list and who/what goes on it and adding links and sharing a high-quality resource. So, good for you that you dusted off an oldie and made it new again!
My latest conversation: Sex, Drugs, Scandal -- BAM!
- spam
- offensive
- disagree
- off topic
Like