Today I noticed that despite being watered and getting sun, the plant on my desk never gets any bigger. This species can grow quite large but is not.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that sometimes even when the basic requirements are met, environmental factors or circumstances can still prevent growth and the full realization of potential … for creatives and characters as much as plants.

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Today I noticed that my climbing gym, which had banned traditional powdered chalk in favor of liquid chalk during COVID, now allows powdered chalk again.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that while emergency circumstances may necessitate reactive, short-term systemic shifts, going back to earlier ways always lurks in the background.

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Today I noticed that the only real distinction between illegally-profited-from fan fiction and officially licensed/authorized derivative works is only the amount of time passed since the original property's creation.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that concepts of creative ownership and legitimacy are more contextual than we usually think.

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Today I noticed that even though I thought dentists didn’t provide nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") anymore, it turns out they do.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is to not assume, and to question the sources of our thoughts. Supposed "knowns" can persist as remnants of outdated knowledge.

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Today I noticed that the famous bluebonnet flowers on Texas roadsides each spring seem like they might be being eclipsed by a multiplying orange flower among them.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that things always change … period.

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Today I noticed that after experiencing a total solar eclipse, the most impressive stuff, by a long shot, only happens during totality, when the moon fully covers the sun. The other 99% of the eclipse is interesting, but pales in comparison.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that there can be transcendent moments when everything converges in a special way, but they’re fleeting compared to a well-planned build-up. Writers should identify and maximize our narrative's “total eclipses.”

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Today I noticed when editing transcripts of my own spoken words how much my verbal communication differs from how I express myself in writing.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that different modes and contexts of expression can reveal distinct sides of a communicator's voice, personality, and mindset. We present variations of ourselves naturally depending on the medium.

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Today I noticed that even after taking long breaks from running, I don't seem to lose much cardiovascular endurance. When I start up again after weeks or months off, running still feels relatively easy, which is weird.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that some skills, experiences, and attributes can become deeply ingrained parts of us that last longer than we might assume, even when we step away from them temporarily. In the same way, our histories and formative experiences leave their own marks.

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Today I noticed that in Chicago, everyone honks their horns constantly and often for no real purpose. This was culture shock, seeing as in Austin, you don’t hear much honking at all. It guess it’s a different cultural norm between the two.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that local customs and behaviors (even small ones) can greatly impact the texture of a setting. Watching for the unique quirks that differentiate one community from another gives a story authenticity.

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Today I noticed that I’ve been misspelling the names of two different people for a long time without them ever correcting me. As someone who values having my own name spelled correctly, I was embarrassed afterrealizing my mistake that they had allowed to continue without saying anything.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that small gestures of clarifying details, even if initially awkward, help build understanding between people. We shouldn't make assumptions about what is or isn't important to others based on our own perspectives. Simple open communication is the key to real connection.

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