Very relatable. I am writing a book too and what King said about 2000 words daily like clockwork is so bloody difficult because I am as scattered as you are. But you gotta do what you gotta do. Order must come before freedom.
Routine is the saddest thing about adulting. It's been 2 years since I graduated and Im still trying to find a profession for myself that won't become boring, eventually.
Ah, the bittersweet dance between routine and chaos! Who knew that a structured life could harbor such creative brilliance? Your thoughts on ‘habit as a runway for your safe landing’ hit differently. The perfect mix of discipline and rebellion. Also, David Lynch’s chicken and broccoli routine? Absolute gold. But man, I’ll need more than that to get through the day!"
Good scientists, writers and artists have one thing in common: they are slaves of routines. Counterintuitively, it is the constraints that make them creative and productive, and discipline is a positive constraint.
Genius is a myth; there is a madness of repetition behind it.
Very interesting read, thanks Anurag. Also reminds me of Murakami's book on writing (not a Murakami fan otherwise) called Novelist as a Vocation where he talks about the physical exhaustion of sitting everyday and writing and how his intense running and swimming practice is what allows him to bear the strain of writing.
Excerpt:
"writing a novel means sitting alone in my study for over a year (sometimes two or even three years), diligently writing away. I get up early and focus solely on writing for five to six hours every single day. Thinking that hard and long about things, your brain gets overheated (with my scalp literally getting hot at times), so after that I need to give my head a rest. That’s why I spend my afternoons napping, enjoying music, reading innocuous books. That kind of life, though, gets you out of shape physically, so every day I spend about an hour outdoors exercising. That sets me up for the next day’s work. Day after day, without exception, I repeat this cycle. It’s kind of a cliché to say it’s a lonely process, but writing a novel—especially a really long one—is exactly that: extremely lonely work. Sometimes I feel like I’m sitting all alone at the bottom of a well. Nobody will help me, and nobody’s there to pat me on the back and tell me I’ve done a great job. The novel I produce may be praised by people (if it turns out well), but no one seems to appreciate the process itself that led to it. That’s a burden the writer must carry alone."
...
"Whether you write novels or short stories, to maintain creativity over a long period of time you need the kind of staying power that makes this continual process possible. Well, then, what do you need to do to acquire that kind of stamina? — I have but one answer, and a very simple one: you have to become physically fit. You need to become robust and physically strong. And make your body your ally."
I wonder what you think about the role of physical routine and exercise as complementary to a disciplined creative ritual practice.
Yes, same. I don't like Murakami's fiction that much, but I enjoy when he talks about his process. That's why my favorite book by him, which I often revisit, is What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.
This was much needed. As someone who has always dreaded being disciplined as I associated it with being a prisoner - I now realise the merit of routine. Can I use your write up as a jumping off point to add my own thoughts to it?
Good one. It is like the 'string of pearls' idea where no matter what, you get up out of your bed and keep adding pearls to your string. Such discipline can be powerful, especially for those who are struggling with life.
And yes, performative discipline is a problem for the individual as well as the society. Simply being disciplined is not enough; what one is disciplined about matters!
The Lynch-Lunch (sorry, unable to resist writing this) anecdote seems like the time I hand a toy to my toddler to play with, so that I can get the chores done. Keeps her occupied.
Just an hour ago I watched a new Netflix show about India-Pakistan cricket, The Greatest Rivalry, where Sehwag mentioned that he used to sing hindi songs to keep his mind occupied so that he could be present in the moment. Maybe, discipline is like those songs. And it seems to be melodious rather than some recent ones that focus on the hook that is meant to trap the mind into submission.
Did you ever experience the opposite side ? A situation where one is addicted to routine and for some reason unable to follow it and faces huge anxiety in absence of routine . And the guilt that follows it. Asking cause I often face it.
I think it's important to break the routine sometimes and then come back to it. For instance, during vacations, I don’t follow any routine. Some days, doing nothing is just as important. And then, I get back to things again.
‘Toothpick in a paan’ analogy is so powerful. It elegantly summarizes the central idea.
🙏✨
Very relatable. I am writing a book too and what King said about 2000 words daily like clockwork is so bloody difficult because I am as scattered as you are. But you gotta do what you gotta do. Order must come before freedom.
Yes. One gotta finish the tasks. That’s what matters.
I feel personally attacked.
You are already the most disciplined one, Vimoh!
Routine is the saddest thing about adulting. It's been 2 years since I graduated and Im still trying to find a profession for myself that won't become boring, eventually.
Ah, the bittersweet dance between routine and chaos! Who knew that a structured life could harbor such creative brilliance? Your thoughts on ‘habit as a runway for your safe landing’ hit differently. The perfect mix of discipline and rebellion. Also, David Lynch’s chicken and broccoli routine? Absolute gold. But man, I’ll need more than that to get through the day!"
Good scientists, writers and artists have one thing in common: they are slaves of routines. Counterintuitively, it is the constraints that make them creative and productive, and discipline is a positive constraint.
Genius is a myth; there is a madness of repetition behind it.
Loved it!
Very interesting read, thanks Anurag. Also reminds me of Murakami's book on writing (not a Murakami fan otherwise) called Novelist as a Vocation where he talks about the physical exhaustion of sitting everyday and writing and how his intense running and swimming practice is what allows him to bear the strain of writing.
Excerpt:
"writing a novel means sitting alone in my study for over a year (sometimes two or even three years), diligently writing away. I get up early and focus solely on writing for five to six hours every single day. Thinking that hard and long about things, your brain gets overheated (with my scalp literally getting hot at times), so after that I need to give my head a rest. That’s why I spend my afternoons napping, enjoying music, reading innocuous books. That kind of life, though, gets you out of shape physically, so every day I spend about an hour outdoors exercising. That sets me up for the next day’s work. Day after day, without exception, I repeat this cycle. It’s kind of a cliché to say it’s a lonely process, but writing a novel—especially a really long one—is exactly that: extremely lonely work. Sometimes I feel like I’m sitting all alone at the bottom of a well. Nobody will help me, and nobody’s there to pat me on the back and tell me I’ve done a great job. The novel I produce may be praised by people (if it turns out well), but no one seems to appreciate the process itself that led to it. That’s a burden the writer must carry alone."
...
"Whether you write novels or short stories, to maintain creativity over a long period of time you need the kind of staying power that makes this continual process possible. Well, then, what do you need to do to acquire that kind of stamina? — I have but one answer, and a very simple one: you have to become physically fit. You need to become robust and physically strong. And make your body your ally."
I wonder what you think about the role of physical routine and exercise as complementary to a disciplined creative ritual practice.
Yes, same. I don't like Murakami's fiction that much, but I enjoy when he talks about his process. That's why my favorite book by him, which I often revisit, is What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.
Suuuuuperrrrrb! Hahahahahahahahaha!!
Afternoons are for brain rot.
Culture cafe mein AMV ka new article padhne ka saubhagya praapt hua! ♥️💫
Ya bro breakfast is over rated. Toothpick or routine is important otherwise how will you access chicken tikka (life)
This was much needed. As someone who has always dreaded being disciplined as I associated it with being a prisoner - I now realise the merit of routine. Can I use your write up as a jumping off point to add my own thoughts to it?
Thanks Damini. Yes you can use this one
Good one. It is like the 'string of pearls' idea where no matter what, you get up out of your bed and keep adding pearls to your string. Such discipline can be powerful, especially for those who are struggling with life.
And yes, performative discipline is a problem for the individual as well as the society. Simply being disciplined is not enough; what one is disciplined about matters!
The Lynch-Lunch (sorry, unable to resist writing this) anecdote seems like the time I hand a toy to my toddler to play with, so that I can get the chores done. Keeps her occupied.
Just an hour ago I watched a new Netflix show about India-Pakistan cricket, The Greatest Rivalry, where Sehwag mentioned that he used to sing hindi songs to keep his mind occupied so that he could be present in the moment. Maybe, discipline is like those songs. And it seems to be melodious rather than some recent ones that focus on the hook that is meant to trap the mind into submission.
Very well articulated comment 🙌
Did you ever experience the opposite side ? A situation where one is addicted to routine and for some reason unable to follow it and faces huge anxiety in absence of routine . And the guilt that follows it. Asking cause I often face it.
I think it's important to break the routine sometimes and then come back to it. For instance, during vacations, I don’t follow any routine. Some days, doing nothing is just as important. And then, I get back to things again.