I packaged all my actionable advice from my notes on reclaiming your inner creative space into a mental model I call The G.A.R.D.E.N. Framework.
Your creative mind is a sacred garden. If you don’t tend it intentionally, weeds (distraction, noise, other people’s thoughts) will take over.
G—“Gate your inputs”
- Goal: to make you self-aware of what you are letting into your garden.
- Set boundaries.
- Before you consume anything ask: “Will this feed my creativity or just feed the machine?”
- Gate your inputs, create two mental buckets: "Feeds My Art" & "Feeds The Machine."
- Sort everything you consume into one of these buckets.
A—“Allocate sacred time”
- Start with one hour of total presence.
- Non-negotiable creative time daily.
- This should be strict.
- Guard it like a sacred ritual.
R—“Retreat into solitude”
- Silence isn’t empty. It’s full of answers.
- Have at least one “Solitude Session” each week.
- Go on a walk, a journal session, or just sitting in nature.
- Make it phone-free.
D—“Dump mental clutter”
- Before you create, clear your mind.
- 5-minute brain dump.
- Write down distractions, worries, to-dos, etc.
- Leave problems for another time, and begin creating.
E—“Engage the slow part of your brain”
- Boredom = depth.
- System Two: your creative operating system.
- Reading a book, sketching, writing, playing an instrument, etc.
N—“Nurture your ‘no’ muscle”
- Every ‘yes’ you say to a distraction is a ‘no’ to your own ideas.
- “No” is the ultimate act of creative self-respect.
- Block all noise: Notifications, apps, websites, unnecesary obligaitons, etc.
- Use the time to create your art.
