Hi friends! New York City has lots of views of walls and windows. It feels like a mirror with strangers on the other side.
At this weekend’s book signing at The Brooklyn Kitchen (which, incidentally, is an AWESOME place) someone asked me this question:
Do you ever worry about running out of ideas?
Can we talk about this? For real tho. For real.
Here’s the calm, cool and collected response to that question: No way! I am confident that my brain has an unlimited amount of really awesome ideas to sustain me from now until forever and ever amen.
Here’s the real-life answer: OHMYGOSH YES! What if I’m working from a well that I’ll soon reach the bottom of!? What if that’s real!?
The deal is, creativity and inspiration must be fostered and fed. But good grief, how do we have time to foster and feed things these days? My cat is fostered and fed because he’s really demanding with his loud meows and untrimmed claws. My creativity is much less demanding and often gets stomped on by every other more demanding task on my list. Do you find this to be true?
I try to find inspiration in all of the little moments, the quiet moments, the unexpected moments. It’s not always grand days or epic meals that provide me with the clearest inspiration.
What’s inspiring me lately:
• “I’m not afraid of dying. I’m afraid of not trying.” THANK YOU JAY Z. I mean… TRY is everything.
• I’m traveling right now and the fact that I don’t remember if I know how to navigate Penn Station scares the crap out of me. I remember that there’s some sort of waiting area then a mad dash to the right train, a long time, and a seat find. Nerves are inspiring. They make me see my surroundings more acutely and not breeze by the details. There is always inspiration in the details (must like there is always money in the banana stand).
• This new Damien Rice song because sometimes inspiration comes from things that break your heart.
• I’m working on a book about Brunch so this NYT article about the fall of this most precious meal was very interesting to me. Can we take Brunch back from the jerks? Of course we can.
• The Kitchn’s Cooking School is 20 days + 20 simple kitchen lessons. The simplicity and solid learning is inspiring!
• Did you know that you can get a freshly fried, sugar dipped donut at Federal Donuts in Philadelphia. That’s where you can find me for the next three days. I might even forget what a beignet is. Sugar-high inspiration. I’m going all the way in.
I’m a person with more questions than answers. There is creativity and learning in simply trying to figure it out everyday… you know?
Thank you for for joining me on my book tour adventures! Thanks for coming out and asking me the questions that make you feel weird and vulnerable, because I’m weird and vulnerable too. I also accept cat-related questions with glee. I’ll announce my west coast book signing dates later this week!
Love you! See you at Parkway Central Library in Philadelphia tonight!
xo
Millie | Add A Little
OMG YES JOY. I feel you right now gurl!!
But have a fab time on the book tour!
byablonski
This is wonderful Joy! Thank you for shining light on wonderful things and being a source of inspiration yourself!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Congrats on the new book! I will anxiously be awaiting for your brunch book…there is nothing better than brunch! :)
Elizabeth DiBiaso Guertin
I live just outside Philly, but can’t make tonight . Make sure you also eat the fried chicken at Federal!
Sara
Thanks for sharing, I’m constantly worried I’ll run out of things to write about. Even though I live in a booming city that changes almost daily. Lol
Sara
506 Miles: from Detroit to Nashville
Hilary
We’re all weird & vulnerable Joy. Thanks for reminding us to take a moment back from the demanding loud tasks to be quiet & creative. And for generally being awesome.
Andrea
so wish i could see you tonight. i am so close to philly! Please come back!!!
SeattleDee
I love thought-provoking questions… unless pressed for an immediate answer. Thanks for tossing this into the morning mix, I think. I tend to focus more on food than weighty matters in my occasional posts, but do enjoy tip toeing through your mind on days like this.
leahfaust
Your inspiration is contagious! Cool to read about the strange and newness of traveling. Happy tour!!
Arthur in the Garden!
I suffer from hyperactivity, too much going up there in my head! :-)
SHarana @ Living The Sweet Life Blog
This is the reason that I read your blog – besides the amazing food you come up with, you’re real … and you make your readers feel a part of your life. Such a great post :)
I think everyone is scared they may run out of knowing ‘ what’s next’ or new ideas … I think that’s the fun it all of this. And you’re right, life slaps inspiration in all of our faces – sights, sounds, smells, friends, family.
Sarah
Awesome. Love also that you found inspiration to write this from the (awesome) event at Brooklyn Kitchen! And thanks for the tip about Federal Doughnuts — now I know what I’m getting after the Philly Marathon in November!
Rena
I’m sure you will never get out of ideas as you are really creative! Loved this to read, so inspiring!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
I TOTALLY feel this! Thanks for being real girl, have fun on your book tour!!
wheremyfeetare
HI Joy, Congratulations on your book! I was in Brooklyn a couple of weekends ago, bad timing on my part! :-) Even though I don’t bake for a living (but do bake as a hobby) I love this post…nerves are inspiring for me too! I’ve started writing in a little corner of the blog world and have asked myself this very question…with the same answer as you. Thanks for the morning inspiration! And for all the recipes!!