How to Find Creativity and Purpose in the Face of Adversity | Suleika Jaouad | TED

()

Suleika Jaouad's Documentary, "American Symphony"

The documentary initially aimed to follow Jon Batiste's composition of a modern symphony with diverse musicians.
The project shifted focus to documenting Jaouad's leukemia relapse, Batiste's Grammy nominations, and their personal journeys amidst challenges.
Jaouad emphasized the importance of trust and communication with the filmmaker to ensure creative alignment and respect for comfort levels.

During extreme illness and isolation, Jaouad found creative inspiration by embracing uncertainty, surrendering control, and exploring new forms of expression like watercolor painting.
Jaouad's experience with her first leukemia diagnosis led to her "Life, Interrupted" column in The New York Times, where she shared her story and connected with others facing similar challenges.
After completing treatment, Jaouad felt lost and embarked on a 100-day road trip across the US to meet people who had written to her during her illness, which helped her process her experiences and move forward.
Her book, "Between Two Kingdoms," chronicles her journey through cancer and its aftermath.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Jaouad launched "The Isolation Journals," a free newsletter featuring daily essays and journaling prompts to help people transform isolation into creative solitude and connection.

Jaouad emphasizes the importance of feeling and embracing all emotions, rather than developing a thick skin and avoiding discomfort, as a way to fully experience life.
Journaling can be a generative and inspiring tool for creative expression, regardless of its beauty or grammatical correctness.
Journaling prompts include writing with your non-dominant hand and a big scrawl across the page, starting with "I don't want to write about…" and listing just 10 snapshots from the last 24 hours, stream of consciousness.
Curiosity is a gentler and more honest way into the creative process than focusing on finding your "capital P" Purpose.
The most surprising and impactful creative work often comes from pure play and exploration without regard for if it's good or bad.