How to be ordinary

The privilege of simply being, and the profound truth that the insignificance of everyday moments holds the key to unlocking extraordinary joy.

As I outlined in my last post, as a woman stepping into middle age and a new phase of life, it’s time to work seriously on cutting the tie or at least loosening the inner critic's hold over me. It's about letting go of the constant desire or need for more and releasing the shackles of the word 'should.'

The agony of productivity guilt is real

I know I’m not alone. I work in the productivity space, and I see so many of my clients and the community I manage feeling a sense of failure or not feeling like enough.

People endure persistent productivity guilt.

I work a lot with neurodivergent people (which has also brought about many personal revelations as to how I’ve approached life over the past 46 years - that’s another post). But you see, dear reader, it’s made me see that we are all round pegs being told to fit into square holes whether you consider yourself neurodivergent or neurotypical.

One size does not fit all. Someone else’s success is theirs and not yours to replicate. And remember, where you see success in their work, they may look at you and long for your tender relationship with your partner or kids or lovely glowing skin, for example. It’s all relative!

The call to be more, create more, do more is a never-ending noose around our necks. Even on this wonderful platform, I see posts titled ‘how to grow, monetise, double your income’ etc. And if I see another ‘how I took my substack from 0 to 1.25 gazillion subscribers in 2 days’, I’ll shout very loudly and stomp my feet in frustration!*

Life has its challenges, for sure. But it's also remarkably beautiful.

I'm incredibly privileged right now. I find myself in a wonderful place in life. I enjoy my job, I adore and love my family, and I have a fantastic relationship with my gorgeous hubby and kids.

I've learned to be incredibly grateful for everything. Because I get to be alive. I get to frolic in the flowers AND the weeds of life.

The passing of my friend last year had a profound effect on both my hubby and me. She was the same age as us and passed within four months of a shock stage 4 cancer diagnosis, which riddled her from head to toe, leaving behind her wife and two beautiful girls.

Life has its challenges, for sure.

But it's also remarkably beautiful.

I want to celebrate what I have.

I will no longer feel the need for 'more.'

What is your definition of success?

The definition of success needs redefining. At the very least, we need to take some time to redefine it individually. We need time to feel, well…ordinary.

To delight in the small, incremental joys during our days. To take time to empathise and connect with others. To realise that a day comprises many productive and unproductive moments. A day is made up of moments that are exciting, boring, sad, sexy, happy, desperate, dull, funny, and everything else in between.

How To Be Ordinary

In a world often obsessed with grandeur, followers, and constant validation, there's profound beauty in embracing the ordinary. I've started a new project to notice this very thing.

It's a celebration of life's simple pleasures, a guide to mindful living, and an invitation to experience the richness that ordinary moments can bring.

Because when you embrace the beauty of the everyday, you'll find the extraordinary that makes a life worth living for.

So, I invite you to embark on this journey with me into the ordinary. These weekday posts are simple, concise snippets, prompts and reminders, emphasising that every step you take matters.

Regarding the Creative Prescription, I initially intended to use this space to assist others in finding well-being in their creative practices.

However, it evolved into my personal creative therapy. Moreover, numerous remarkable individuals here on Substack and the internet are doing a far better job of spreading that message than I am, and I'll be highlighting them in an upcoming post very soon.

Let's be open to what the weeks ahead hold for us and how the ordinary will unfold. Above all, please don't take what you have for granted. We are privileged to be here together, which is truly enough.

Stay creative,

* Postscript

Please, Substackers, don’t fall into the same trap as the social media platforms where growth is the only good; otherwise, you are insignificant.

We serve our communities and are here to connect - whether with 1 person or 1 million. If you want to make money here, yes, there will be a very small handful of people who will make the coveted ‘6 figures’. Realistically, the rest of us have to hustle and be in more places than just one Substack home. And that’s OK!

It’s also OK to be here for fun, joy, creative expression and connection! ❤️