I’m really honored to share today’s guest. As I’ve shared before, one of my main intentions with this podcast is to promote the message that creativity doesn’t only play a role in the arts, and that you can live a life connected to your creative spirit, even when your day-to-day might not look that creative from an outsider’s perspective. Today’s guest, my dear friend Maria, is an amazing example of that. She works for an International Development Organization and is one of the most creative people that I know. She sets an amazing example that it’s still possible to remain connected to your creativity even while working in a 9-5. Although I will say that she very deliberately crafted a four day work-week for herself so that she could devote her Fridays to her creative endeavors, and during the interview we’re definitely going to get into how she achieved that and what her “Friday Makery,” as she calls it, looks like for her. Other than that, you’ll also hear how she really pours her creative energy into the work that she does for her job, which goes to show that you can remain creatively activated in all areas of your life, whether you’re working on your 9-5 or whether you’re working on your personal creative endeavors. 

THINGS WE MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE

Nina Simone “Sinnerman” 

EPISODE QUOTES

“There’s no better better feeling than when you’ve written something for someone that’s deeply personal to them or that they feel strongly about and you send the first draft back and they’re happy with it. For me that’s actually the same kick that I used to get out of writing prose creatively but actually a bit more of a kick.” - Maria 

“I guess creativity doesn't always look the way you think it will. I used to hate anything practical - I even used to diss something by saying "it looks too practical" ie. where's the flare or fun in that? But I guess I learnt that actually getting concrete and practical, getting down to the specifics of how you're going to make something manifest is the key ingredient. I'm only able to start painting and drawing now because I've dropped the idea that it means I'll necessarily have to go insane or starve to death to do it. That's not the way it has to be and indeed, for most of us in the world who also have to earn a living you can only keep that flame alive and get stuff done if you bring plenty of structure and logic to the party.” - Maria

“Do something random. The point of creating is to create…It’s about just making things. It’s about carving out a bit of time. Even if you’ve got a few evenings, or one evening, or… all the time we spend watching telly, could we listen to something that’s like telly and is interesting and do art? It’s about trying to find those opportunities to mess around.” - Maria

“I think creativity is a process of embracing failure and just picking up whatever you’re doing and just doing it. And not worrying so much about getting the perfect time or the perfect moment that you miss any moment. Just seize what moments you’ve got and just making something.” - Maria

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May this episode bring you joy & inspiration!

xo Leah

IG: @leah_salinas
www.leahsalinas.com 

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This podcast has been edited and produced by René G. Salinas. 

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