Thank you for that reminder of how creativity is supposed to evolve! I tend to get comfortable with following other ideas or directions and get nervous to make up my own, so I get stuck or bored. I'm thinking of doing a writing challenge this summer to amp up my creativity! I hope your 500 words a day challenge goes well!
Ooh! I like the 500 words a day idea — are you just going freewrite in a Google doc? Or some other method. I am, creatively discombobulated after a move across country. I feel like all the material is there — swirling in an incomprehensible pile of detritus left after the tidal wave that just came through 😂. I think I just need to write, because it won’t get organized unless I know what’s there, and I won’t know what’s even in my head unless I write.
I could take the internet off my phone again, and find some books and just try to write 500 words of something…
P.S. I love the LEGO creations — mine are often going off script too and I’m always impressed by what they’re able to do!
I literally have a Google doc called "500 words of garbage" (to relieve me of my perfectionist tendencies ... the goal is to write, not publish!) and every day I just write the date and then go for it. I actually think I'm going to grab a book of writing prompts, or look some up online, because right now I'm just writing stream of consciousness and that might get boring after a while ;)
Love all of this. My son Theo (10) is the exact same way with Lego, "going off script," as you said. He made a "Macy's at Christmas" once with a baby grand piano and a Christmas tree. He made me a tape dispenser when I needed one. He loves making candy dispensers (for tic tacs) and recently made an ATM that rolls out a dollar after you put in four quarters and press a button. (I don't think it knows when you've put in the right amount, but it does have a minimum width so it rejects and spits out pennies, nickels, and dimes.) The best was when he built a (manual) conveyor belt to throw away trash because he's the king of doing more work in order to get out of doing work.
Also had to comment that we have since started a book club on The Anxious Generation bc of the C+C podcast episode. I'm so glad you guys brought it up in that context and suggested it.
The other day I was wondering: Could *I* survive with just a smart watch? I think the only thing I would miss is Voxer. (Coz it has GPS, right?)
Lore’s Substack was the first one I paid for and it’s been worth every penny!
Currently attempting to get myself out of what feels like a multi-year reading slump with “Demon Copperhead,” followed closely by “The Book of Doors” and “The Covenant of Water.” Also anxiously awaiting my preordered copy of “The Opt-Out Family” by Erin Loechner and probably about to overspend the book budget so I can just buy “The Anxious Generation” instead of waiting for it from the library. 🤣
I'm so impressed with Everett's Lego creations! Last week, we did a team building exercise (involving Legos), and I was reminded that there are some people who are naturally SO good at building/creating and others who are not (that would be me). 🤪 We all have our skills, right?! Haha.
I loved Raising Emotionally Strong Boys! I'm sure you'll get a lot from it too.
I just read Emotionally Strong boys and it was so insightful, refreshing and helpful! You’ll love it. Actually, I listened to it and ended up buying a paper copy so I could highlight etc. Now I just started the Anxious Generation and oh my 🙈 I need to know these things but it’s hard to face reality!!
This is amazing!! I’ve always veered away from Legos for my boys since they are so into Magnatiles, but this is inspiring me to try them out. Also- Dr Pepper is my soda of choice as well ;)
My son is 7 and is into writing his own comic books & drawing monster trucks. He has been preaching to anyone who listens that he wants to become an engineer and I don't know why I had not thought of starting our Lego set collection so he can get that tactical experience. Just checked out my cart - cant wait to see what his mind brings to the world
Ashlee, thank you so much! Your words (and the valuable space you used to say them) are so encouraging to me! Thank you =)
Cheering you on, always!
Those LEGO creations are incredible!
I have a similar Azaria backpack, and I LOVE it. Perfect for your trip!
Those tattoos…your friendship…😭😍✨
Can’t wait for Saturday 😘
Us, too!!! So glad you'll be there!
To going rogue with our creations!
You will LOVE Raising Emotionally Strong Boys!!! 💯
Lore's Substack is one of the few I pay for as well! Looking forward to slowly savoring her book 💛
It's beautiful. I'm sure you'll love it! ❤️
Me too!
The LEGO vacuum!! Incredible! Love this creative pep talk so much. Should we take a group field trip to Denmark and visit the original Legoland?😉
Umm, YES PLZ. That would be such a fun family field trip!
Thank you for that reminder of how creativity is supposed to evolve! I tend to get comfortable with following other ideas or directions and get nervous to make up my own, so I get stuck or bored. I'm thinking of doing a writing challenge this summer to amp up my creativity! I hope your 500 words a day challenge goes well!
Thank you!
I am so impressed by Everett’s ingenuity and how you foster creativity in your kids. It’s inspiring me this summer ❤️
Send your kids over to my garage anytime 😜
Ooh! I like the 500 words a day idea — are you just going freewrite in a Google doc? Or some other method. I am, creatively discombobulated after a move across country. I feel like all the material is there — swirling in an incomprehensible pile of detritus left after the tidal wave that just came through 😂. I think I just need to write, because it won’t get organized unless I know what’s there, and I won’t know what’s even in my head unless I write.
I could take the internet off my phone again, and find some books and just try to write 500 words of something…
P.S. I love the LEGO creations — mine are often going off script too and I’m always impressed by what they’re able to do!
I literally have a Google doc called "500 words of garbage" (to relieve me of my perfectionist tendencies ... the goal is to write, not publish!) and every day I just write the date and then go for it. I actually think I'm going to grab a book of writing prompts, or look some up online, because right now I'm just writing stream of consciousness and that might get boring after a while ;)
Love all of this. My son Theo (10) is the exact same way with Lego, "going off script," as you said. He made a "Macy's at Christmas" once with a baby grand piano and a Christmas tree. He made me a tape dispenser when I needed one. He loves making candy dispensers (for tic tacs) and recently made an ATM that rolls out a dollar after you put in four quarters and press a button. (I don't think it knows when you've put in the right amount, but it does have a minimum width so it rejects and spits out pennies, nickels, and dimes.) The best was when he built a (manual) conveyor belt to throw away trash because he's the king of doing more work in order to get out of doing work.
Also had to comment that we have since started a book club on The Anxious Generation bc of the C+C podcast episode. I'm so glad you guys brought it up in that context and suggested it.
The other day I was wondering: Could *I* survive with just a smart watch? I think the only thing I would miss is Voxer. (Coz it has GPS, right?)
"he's the king of doing more work in order to get out of doing work" 🤣🤣🤣 Theo sounds like he'd be great friends with Everett and Carson!
We did Exhale book club on Anxious Generation this morning, missed you! I recorded it if you wanna watch!
Voxer is a dealbreaker for me. It's my most used app. But I agree, I dream about simplifying my phone often!
500 words a day and legos? Sounds like the perfect summer to me!
We're simple over here!
Lore’s Substack was the first one I paid for and it’s been worth every penny!
Currently attempting to get myself out of what feels like a multi-year reading slump with “Demon Copperhead,” followed closely by “The Book of Doors” and “The Covenant of Water.” Also anxiously awaiting my preordered copy of “The Opt-Out Family” by Erin Loechner and probably about to overspend the book budget so I can just buy “The Anxious Generation” instead of waiting for it from the library. 🤣
I'm so impressed with Everett's Lego creations! Last week, we did a team building exercise (involving Legos), and I was reminded that there are some people who are naturally SO good at building/creating and others who are not (that would be me). 🤪 We all have our skills, right?! Haha.
I loved Raising Emotionally Strong Boys! I'm sure you'll get a lot from it too.
I just read Emotionally Strong boys and it was so insightful, refreshing and helpful! You’ll love it. Actually, I listened to it and ended up buying a paper copy so I could highlight etc. Now I just started the Anxious Generation and oh my 🙈 I need to know these things but it’s hard to face reality!!
This is amazing!! I’ve always veered away from Legos for my boys since they are so into Magnatiles, but this is inspiring me to try them out. Also- Dr Pepper is my soda of choice as well ;)
My son is 7 and is into writing his own comic books & drawing monster trucks. He has been preaching to anyone who listens that he wants to become an engineer and I don't know why I had not thought of starting our Lego set collection so he can get that tactical experience. Just checked out my cart - cant wait to see what his mind brings to the world