Carlo Cedrola | The Creative Companion

My mom forbade me to study literature and philosophy. My dad got angry every time I didn't practice the guitar. I ended up quitting everything I liked and pursuing things I didn't want so I could feel loved and respected. That has affected my whole life. But not anymore:

You are that which can turn chaos into order. But beware, because you can turn order into chaos as well.

When logic fails, we need something else to motivate us forward. Having something to believe in when times are dire is a defence against destructive thoughts.

We are all over the place, our perception is inaccurate, our identity is fragmented, our interests and motives are unclear, unless we know what we actually want. Our goal is the orchestration of our being.

The reason why you need a goal. It's a lot more important than you think!

Writing is not about providing a solution. Writing is about thinking about a problem and (maybe) finding a solution.

"if it doesn't come bursting out of you in spite of everything, don't do it." Charles Bukowski - "so you want to be a writer?"

Is your decision-making an inside or an outside job? Here's a thought about the way we make decisions.

We don't need complicated coaching or therapy techniques to start making our life better. We have in-built skills to deal with our outer and inner lives: - Speaking - Writing - Having a conversation - Thinking Give yourself time and space to use them. #tweet100

Thinking isn't self-criticism, perfectionism or impostor syndrome. We call it overthinking, but it's not thinking at all. It's only following one view you have of yourself. Thinking is putting that view against other views and seeing what better view comes out. #tweet100

Each part of you is there for a reason. Even your self-criticism and your resentment can be useful, if you're willing to sit down with them, and see what they have to say. Don't deny your "negative" feelings. Negotiate with them. #tweet100

The answer to self-judgement is not ignoring it. Your inner critic is your best friend: it will let you know where you are doing things you don't want to do. Instead of suppressing it, ignoring it or fighting it, be willing to start a conversation with it. #tweet100

If you feel that you can't find meaning in your life... you may be looking too high. Here's something to try.

Never rely on conclusions to know how to act. Conclusions are static and inflexible. Instead, use you attention. Pay close attention to the context, to yourself and to other people. And aim for the good of others and yourself. That will guide you. #tweet100

Balance structure with chaos. Plan a creative session at a specific time with a specific limit...and then let anything come out of it. Contraints + consistency + chaos = Unstoppable Creation #tweet100

Do you ever wonder how to decide what to do now? You cannot find a balance between what you SHOULD do and what you WANT to do? This is the closest I've come to find a solution:

For motivation and discipline to happen, you need to have a clear vision of what's driving you. You need to know exactly what you're aiming for, for whom, for the sake of what. You also need to know what you DON'T want, the future that you definitely want to stay away from.

If you feel pessimistic, think about this: You've got internet. You've got water, food and some money. You can read, listen and watch whatever you want. Think about all the love and effort that mankind needed to make all of that possible for you. You're loved. #tweet100

What is good? What is bad? I use a simple definition to try to define that in my life. It helps me decide what to do today. It helps me avoid things I should avoid. It gives me something to strive for.

We have become judgement-phobic. We think that no judgement is possible and desirable. But that's not true. We need judgement to discern between things we want and things we don't want. Judgement, used critically and contextually, is what ultimately defeats overwhelm.