darren r hill

the creative minimalist

  • The Next Tool Won’t Fix It: Why More Gear Doesn’t Make Better Creative Work

    There’s a moment that we all, as creative people know: we’re stuck, and we start to think the problem is the gear I have. But the creative tools you already have are almost certainly enough. So why do we want more? Why do we think the creative fix is in the new shiny?

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  • The Habits That Quietly Kill Creative Output (And What to Replace Them With)

    The Habits That Quietly Kill Creative Output (And What to Replace Them With) Here are several creativity killers with advice on how to stop them and creative habits to replace them.

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  • Is Your Creative Idea Worth Finishing? Here’s How to Decide

    How to Tell If a Creative Idea Is Worth Finishing (And When to Let It Go). Is that song, this painting, my story about an AI enhanced goldfish worth finishing? Here’s how to decide if your art, song or writing is worth continuing. The rhyme and reasoning behind deciding what creative projects to finish.

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  • What Years of Creating Taught Me About Discipline

    Discipline and willpower are not the super powers of successful creatives. it’s about crafting effective systems that naturally guide behaviour. Learn how these creative frameworks can help you achieve more without the constant struggle.

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  • Why Creative Constraints Make You More Productive (and More Creative)

    Creative projects with the most freedom are often the hardest to finish, or even start. The ones with tight constraints tend to move faster. And sometimes come out better. Three simple rules for creative freedom

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  • Why Imperfect Creative Work Builds Confidence Faster

    Sharing your imperfect creative work and art projects builds confidence faster than waiting. Whatever response you get will teach you something. We don’t just learn by doing, we also learn by sharing our art.

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  • When creative plans don’t work

    When creative plans don’t work

    When creative plans don't work text with a picture of me

    Once upon a time, I had a creative plan, to create new music while finishing an old music project. That fairy tale came to an unhappy end. In this week’s vlog, I take a look at lessons learnt from a failed creative plan.

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

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  • A Creative Rule of Life

    A Creative Rule of Life

    A Creative Rule of Life text with an image of me superimposed in front of a monk's cell

    Despite an inner craving to avoid rules and regulations, I have been contemplating how to bring a little order to my creative life. In this week’s vlog, I wonder if a creative rule of life might be the answer.

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

    Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest

  • Dealing with creative fails

    Dealing with creative fails

    Dealing with creative fails text with an image of me in front of a dystopian landscape

    The gloomy weather amplifies all the negatives; missed deadlines, slipped habits etc. How am I dealing with these creative and life failures? In this week’s vlog, I give a little thanks to get a little sunshine.

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

    Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest

  • Imbolc and creativity

    Imbolc and creativity

    Imbolc and creativity text, an image of me and dark clouds

    Into February and despite the weather not quite being springlike I have been inspired by the festival of Imbolc for a creative nudge. FAWM and festivals combine in this week’s vlog, and also a little poetry.

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

    Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest

  • How to Create it all!

    How to Create it all!

    How to create it all text with an image of me

    I want to create it all! I have far too much clamouring for my attention, from social media to hundreds of unfinished creative projects. How can I create what I want and need to create? This week’s vlog explores how I am attempting to create all the create!

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

    Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest

  • 3 Steps to Creative Heaven?

    3 Steps to Creative Heaven?

    3 steps to creative heaven? text with an image of me walking

    3 steps that are helping me reach my creative goals. This vlog looks at what works in my planning, to-dos and habit tracking. After just a few weeks of the year, I am already noticing what does and doesn’t work.

    Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
    namaste
    d
    xox

    If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

    Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest