In his journal entry for November 9, 1854, Delacroix discusses the importance of establishing rituals in his creative life.
Delacroix’s November 9, 1854 entry from his famous “Journal” reads:
“…I stayed with my cousin Berryer, who is as charming to me as ever. In his delightful house I am surrounded by pleasant people who give me no chance to be bored…nevertheless, I feel that such delicious idleness is dangerous for a man who wishes to withdraw from the world. When the time come to return to work and a quiet life one finds that one has changed, and it is not so easy to take up the daily routine again.”
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In her book “The Creative Habit,” choreographer Twyla Tharp notices something similar: many creative people begin their work with preparation rituals that put them in a productive mood. Composer Igor Stravinsky did the same thing every workday: sat at the piano and played a Bach fugue. Tharp muses that perhaps he was paying homage to his hero or it was simply a method to get his mind thinking music. Repeating this routine got him started. Tharp herself begins each workday by rolling out of bed, getting into a taxi, and heading for the gym for her morning workout. The ritual gives her confidence to begin her work day.
I agree that no matter how eccentric it may seem, many creative people use rituals to get the creative juices flowing. Perhaps the first paragraph in an article is just for warming up and the writer deletes it. An artist pounds acid blues from the speakers to get into her groove. A chef spends his mornings snipping pieces from the herbs in his garden.
While making artists feel comfortable about getting into the creative zone, however, routines shouldn’t make their actions dull and predictable.
