Sheryl Garratt
@sherylg.bsky.social
Writer, and a coach helping creative professionals do their best work - while also living their best life. Find me at thecreativelife.net
Sunday celebration
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Novel: I Who Have Never Known Men
Jacqueline Harper's short, atmospheric novel is set in a mysterious post-apocalyptic world that is beautifully realised, but never fully explained.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Novel: I Who Have Never Known Men
Jacqueline Harper's short, atmospheric novel is set in a mysterious post-apocalyptic world that is beautifully realised, but never fully explained.
December 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Sunday celebration
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Novel: I Who Have Never Known Men
Jacqueline Harper's short, atmospheric novel is set in a mysterious post-apocalyptic world that is beautifully realised, but never fully explained.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Novel: I Who Have Never Known Men
Jacqueline Harper's short, atmospheric novel is set in a mysterious post-apocalyptic world that is beautifully realised, but never fully explained.
As we rush around getting ready for the holiday season, this seems a good book to share.
Humans need rest.
We need enough sleep.
And we function better if we take a break, a nap, a walk.
Very few of us can do more than four hours of deep, creative work in a day.
And even then, we need breaks.
Humans need rest.
We need enough sleep.
And we function better if we take a break, a nap, a walk.
Very few of us can do more than four hours of deep, creative work in a day.
And even then, we need breaks.
December 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM
As we rush around getting ready for the holiday season, this seems a good book to share.
Humans need rest.
We need enough sleep.
And we function better if we take a break, a nap, a walk.
Very few of us can do more than four hours of deep, creative work in a day.
And even then, we need breaks.
Humans need rest.
We need enough sleep.
And we function better if we take a break, a nap, a walk.
Very few of us can do more than four hours of deep, creative work in a day.
And even then, we need breaks.
When I read about Bill Gates’ Think Week I was envious. A week alone in an isolated cabin to read, write, rest and think felt like an extravagance only a billionaire could afford.
Yet we all need time to think. Here’s how I found it – and how you might, too.
Yet we all need time to think. Here’s how I found it – and how you might, too.
Time to think shouldn't be a luxury - The Creative Life
Bill Gates had a regular think week. You might not have a week. Or an isolated cabin to retreat to. Here's what you might do instead.
thecreativelife.net
December 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM
When I read about Bill Gates’ Think Week I was envious. A week alone in an isolated cabin to read, write, rest and think felt like an extravagance only a billionaire could afford.
Yet we all need time to think. Here’s how I found it – and how you might, too.
Yet we all need time to think. Here’s how I found it – and how you might, too.
This is a busy time of year for many of us.
But take a moment, every day, to also enjoy it.
The wonder is always there.
You just have to notice it.
But take a moment, every day, to also enjoy it.
The wonder is always there.
You just have to notice it.
December 15, 2025 at 11:02 AM
This is a busy time of year for many of us.
But take a moment, every day, to also enjoy it.
The wonder is always there.
You just have to notice it.
But take a moment, every day, to also enjoy it.
The wonder is always there.
You just have to notice it.
Sunday celebration.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Art: Bridget Riley, Learning To See
It’s not often a show changes my mind about an artist completely, but this one at the Turner Contemporary in Margate did. Just stunning.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Art: Bridget Riley, Learning To See
It’s not often a show changes my mind about an artist completely, but this one at the Turner Contemporary in Margate did. Just stunning.
December 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Sunday celebration.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Art: Bridget Riley, Learning To See
It’s not often a show changes my mind about an artist completely, but this one at the Turner Contemporary in Margate did. Just stunning.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Art: Bridget Riley, Learning To See
It’s not often a show changes my mind about an artist completely, but this one at the Turner Contemporary in Margate did. Just stunning.
A good present for a creative friend – but a better gift for yourself.
My little book has 365 ideas for artist dates and solo adventures, plus my thoughts on why play is important for adults, as well as children.
Buy it now on Amazon: amzn.to/4fxTw72
Or get the ebook directly from my website.
My little book has 365 ideas for artist dates and solo adventures, plus my thoughts on why play is important for adults, as well as children.
Buy it now on Amazon: amzn.to/4fxTw72
Or get the ebook directly from my website.
December 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM
A good present for a creative friend – but a better gift for yourself.
My little book has 365 ideas for artist dates and solo adventures, plus my thoughts on why play is important for adults, as well as children.
Buy it now on Amazon: amzn.to/4fxTw72
Or get the ebook directly from my website.
My little book has 365 ideas for artist dates and solo adventures, plus my thoughts on why play is important for adults, as well as children.
Buy it now on Amazon: amzn.to/4fxTw72
Or get the ebook directly from my website.
Generosity is not seasonal. It's a way of being.
And for creatives, sharing your knowledge, your work, your skills is essential.
It can be hard to be generous when you feel under-valued.
As most creatives do, right now.
But it changes everything.
And for creatives, sharing your knowledge, your work, your skills is essential.
It can be hard to be generous when you feel under-valued.
As most creatives do, right now.
But it changes everything.
Be generous. Because givers always gain - The Creative Life
The world needs a little fairy dust right now. So be generous. Be kind. The results can be surprising: givers always gain
thecreativelife.net
December 9, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Generosity is not seasonal. It's a way of being.
And for creatives, sharing your knowledge, your work, your skills is essential.
It can be hard to be generous when you feel under-valued.
As most creatives do, right now.
But it changes everything.
And for creatives, sharing your knowledge, your work, your skills is essential.
It can be hard to be generous when you feel under-valued.
As most creatives do, right now.
But it changes everything.
In 20 years' time, what will you regret most:
Trying out that idea and failing?
Or not trying at all?
Write that novel.
Sing that song.
Make your art.
Launch your business.
And if the it fails, try again.
This is the way.
Trying out that idea and failing?
Or not trying at all?
Write that novel.
Sing that song.
Make your art.
Launch your business.
And if the it fails, try again.
This is the way.
December 8, 2025 at 11:01 AM
In 20 years' time, what will you regret most:
Trying out that idea and failing?
Or not trying at all?
Write that novel.
Sing that song.
Make your art.
Launch your business.
And if the it fails, try again.
This is the way.
Trying out that idea and failing?
Or not trying at all?
Write that novel.
Sing that song.
Make your art.
Launch your business.
And if the it fails, try again.
This is the way.
Sunday celebration.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Essay: Charli XCX
In her new Substack, our favourite brat writes about being a 21st century pop star: the fun, the downsides – and the endless waiting in liminal spaces.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Essay: Charli XCX
In her new Substack, our favourite brat writes about being a 21st century pop star: the fun, the downsides – and the endless waiting in liminal spaces.
December 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Sunday celebration.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Essay: Charli XCX
In her new Substack, our favourite brat writes about being a 21st century pop star: the fun, the downsides – and the endless waiting in liminal spaces.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Essay: Charli XCX
In her new Substack, our favourite brat writes about being a 21st century pop star: the fun, the downsides – and the endless waiting in liminal spaces.
Most of us have a nagging feeling that we’re spreading ourselves too thinly, that we’re trying to do too much.
The online world encourages us to go wide. To be everything, everywhere, all at once.
But what if instead we choose to go deeper?
The online world encourages us to go wide. To be everything, everywhere, all at once.
But what if instead we choose to go deeper?
Go deeper, not wider - The Creative Life
The online world encourages us to go wide with marketing, to be everything, everywhere, all at once. But what if we choose to go deeper?
thecreativelife.net
December 2, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Most of us have a nagging feeling that we’re spreading ourselves too thinly, that we’re trying to do too much.
The online world encourages us to go wide. To be everything, everywhere, all at once.
But what if instead we choose to go deeper?
The online world encourages us to go wide. To be everything, everywhere, all at once.
But what if instead we choose to go deeper?
Feedback is often useful.
But other people's opinions are just that.
Only YOU know when you are ready.
When a piece of creative work is done.
Trust your instincts.
Trust yourself.
Everything else?
It's just noise.
But other people's opinions are just that.
Only YOU know when you are ready.
When a piece of creative work is done.
Trust your instincts.
Trust yourself.
Everything else?
It's just noise.
December 1, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Feedback is often useful.
But other people's opinions are just that.
Only YOU know when you are ready.
When a piece of creative work is done.
Trust your instincts.
Trust yourself.
Everything else?
It's just noise.
But other people's opinions are just that.
Only YOU know when you are ready.
When a piece of creative work is done.
Trust your instincts.
Trust yourself.
Everything else?
It's just noise.
Sunday celebration.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Novel: Butter
Asako Yuzuki’s tale of liberation and sensual awakening via French cooking and a very Japanese serial killer was entertaining and thought-provoking. I’m now on the hunt for Échiré butter…
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Novel: Butter
Asako Yuzuki’s tale of liberation and sensual awakening via French cooking and a very Japanese serial killer was entertaining and thought-provoking. I’m now on the hunt for Échiré butter…
November 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Sunday celebration.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Novel: Butter
Asako Yuzuki’s tale of liberation and sensual awakening via French cooking and a very Japanese serial killer was entertaining and thought-provoking. I’m now on the hunt for Échiré butter…
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Novel: Butter
Asako Yuzuki’s tale of liberation and sensual awakening via French cooking and a very Japanese serial killer was entertaining and thought-provoking. I’m now on the hunt for Échiré butter…
Struggling to pitch your ideas? Can't quite press the 'publish' button? Made some lovely things, but not really telling the world about them ?
I wrote this for you...
I wrote this for you...
The stories that stop you selling your work - The Creative Life
Eight limiting beliefs, stories that stop you from selling your work well. And how to change them. All creatives need marketing skills!
thecreativelife.net
November 25, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Struggling to pitch your ideas? Can't quite press the 'publish' button? Made some lovely things, but not really telling the world about them ?
I wrote this for you...
I wrote this for you...
To be creative, you don't have to be a great novelist like Toni Morrison.
Start small.
What problems will you solve this week?
What will you create?
Start small.
What problems will you solve this week?
What will you create?
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
To be creative, you don't have to be a great novelist like Toni Morrison.
Start small.
What problems will you solve this week?
What will you create?
Start small.
What problems will you solve this week?
What will you create?
Sunday celebration
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Gig: Anna Phoebe
One woman improvising on violin, accompanied by electronic samples. Mesmerising. Her album Divergence is well worth a listen.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Gig: Anna Phoebe
One woman improvising on violin, accompanied by electronic samples. Mesmerising. Her album Divergence is well worth a listen.
November 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Sunday celebration
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Gig: Anna Phoebe
One woman improvising on violin, accompanied by electronic samples. Mesmerising. Her album Divergence is well worth a listen.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Gig: Anna Phoebe
One woman improvising on violin, accompanied by electronic samples. Mesmerising. Her album Divergence is well worth a listen.
We all know we should be marketing more. But we’re often less sure about how.
Here are seven simple things you can share about your work - on social media, or elsewhere.
It’s all about building lasting relationships with your true fans.
thecreativelife.net/seven-things...
Here are seven simple things you can share about your work - on social media, or elsewhere.
It’s all about building lasting relationships with your true fans.
thecreativelife.net/seven-things...
Seven things to share about your work - The Creative Life
We need to tell people about our creative work. But where to start? Here are seven things to share about your work on socials - and beyond
thecreativelife.net
November 18, 2025 at 11:06 AM
We all know we should be marketing more. But we’re often less sure about how.
Here are seven simple things you can share about your work - on social media, or elsewhere.
It’s all about building lasting relationships with your true fans.
thecreativelife.net/seven-things...
Here are seven simple things you can share about your work - on social media, or elsewhere.
It’s all about building lasting relationships with your true fans.
thecreativelife.net/seven-things...
David Bowie was a magpie who stole from everywhere. But then made it completely and utterly his own.
We can all learn from his example.
Be yourself.
Everyone else is taken.
Make art for yourself.
And your audience will come.
We can all learn from his example.
Be yourself.
Everyone else is taken.
Make art for yourself.
And your audience will come.
November 17, 2025 at 11:27 AM
David Bowie was a magpie who stole from everywhere. But then made it completely and utterly his own.
We can all learn from his example.
Be yourself.
Everyone else is taken.
Make art for yourself.
And your audience will come.
We can all learn from his example.
Be yourself.
Everyone else is taken.
Make art for yourself.
And your audience will come.
Sunday celebration
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Film: Bugonia
Another bonkers Yorgos Lanthimos film, with great performances by Emma Stone and Jessie Plemons. It’s entertaining, violent and visually thrilling. The haunting final tableaus were extraordinary.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Film: Bugonia
Another bonkers Yorgos Lanthimos film, with great performances by Emma Stone and Jessie Plemons. It’s entertaining, violent and visually thrilling. The haunting final tableaus were extraordinary.
November 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Sunday celebration
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Film: Bugonia
Another bonkers Yorgos Lanthimos film, with great performances by Emma Stone and Jessie Plemons. It’s entertaining, violent and visually thrilling. The haunting final tableaus were extraordinary.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Film: Bugonia
Another bonkers Yorgos Lanthimos film, with great performances by Emma Stone and Jessie Plemons. It’s entertaining, violent and visually thrilling. The haunting final tableaus were extraordinary.
We know the creative blocks that stop us starting our work. But what about the fears that that stop us finishing?
When can’t seem to get your creative project over the finish line, here's what might be stopping you. (And how to deal with it.)
thecreativelife.net/fear-of-fini...
When can’t seem to get your creative project over the finish line, here's what might be stopping you. (And how to deal with it.)
thecreativelife.net/fear-of-fini...
Fear of finishing - The Creative Life
This is the creative block that no one talks much about. Facing the fears of that final stretch, and knowing when to let go of a project.
thecreativelife.net
November 11, 2025 at 11:01 AM
We know the creative blocks that stop us starting our work. But what about the fears that that stop us finishing?
When can’t seem to get your creative project over the finish line, here's what might be stopping you. (And how to deal with it.)
thecreativelife.net/fear-of-fini...
When can’t seem to get your creative project over the finish line, here's what might be stopping you. (And how to deal with it.)
thecreativelife.net/fear-of-fini...
Begin, and the inspiration will come.
Eno advocates tidying up your workspace as a good way to clear your mind, day-dream, and open up to new ideas.
I like a long solo walk.
How about you?
Eno advocates tidying up your workspace as a good way to clear your mind, day-dream, and open up to new ideas.
I like a long solo walk.
How about you?
November 10, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Begin, and the inspiration will come.
Eno advocates tidying up your workspace as a good way to clear your mind, day-dream, and open up to new ideas.
I like a long solo walk.
How about you?
Eno advocates tidying up your workspace as a good way to clear your mind, day-dream, and open up to new ideas.
I like a long solo walk.
How about you?
Sunday celebration
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Music: Florence + The Machine, Everybody Scream.
Soaring songs with Florence Welch’s mighty voice and so much going on that they really shouldn’t work. Yet they always do.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Music: Florence + The Machine, Everybody Scream.
Soaring songs with Florence Welch’s mighty voice and so much going on that they really shouldn’t work. Yet they always do.
November 9, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Sunday celebration
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Music: Florence + The Machine, Everybody Scream.
Soaring songs with Florence Welch’s mighty voice and so much going on that they really shouldn’t work. Yet they always do.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
Music: Florence + The Machine, Everybody Scream.
Soaring songs with Florence Welch’s mighty voice and so much going on that they really shouldn’t work. Yet they always do.
As a coach, I work with creative professionals and lots of them have limiting beliefs around money (yup, even the successful and wealthy ones!).
This is just a list of books and resources that I have found useful. sharing them in case they help you, too.
This is just a list of books and resources that I have found useful. sharing them in case they help you, too.
Want to handle your money better? - The Creative Life
Build a library of books about finance. Here are my favourites – plus a few resources that will help if you want to handle your money better
thecreativelife.net
November 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM
As a coach, I work with creative professionals and lots of them have limiting beliefs around money (yup, even the successful and wealthy ones!).
This is just a list of books and resources that I have found useful. sharing them in case they help you, too.
This is just a list of books and resources that I have found useful. sharing them in case they help you, too.
The best time to start is always now.
Start before you're ready.
Allow it to be messy, imperfect.
Robert Rodriguez has yet to make a perfect film.
But he's made a lot of good ones.
Don't hoard your ideas.
Make them!
Start before you're ready.
Allow it to be messy, imperfect.
Robert Rodriguez has yet to make a perfect film.
But he's made a lot of good ones.
Don't hoard your ideas.
Make them!
November 3, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The best time to start is always now.
Start before you're ready.
Allow it to be messy, imperfect.
Robert Rodriguez has yet to make a perfect film.
But he's made a lot of good ones.
Don't hoard your ideas.
Make them!
Start before you're ready.
Allow it to be messy, imperfect.
Robert Rodriguez has yet to make a perfect film.
But he's made a lot of good ones.
Don't hoard your ideas.
Make them!
Perfectionism is often just fear in a fancy suit.
It stops us finishing work, sharing it, learning from it.
It stops us jumping in on our best ideas.
It dooms us to a life of tweaking and polishing.
Here’s how I (eventually) got over it.
It stops us finishing work, sharing it, learning from it.
It stops us jumping in on our best ideas.
It dooms us to a life of tweaking and polishing.
Here’s how I (eventually) got over it.
Confessions of a recovering perfectionist - The Creative Life
Confessions of a recovering perfectionist: it hasn't been easy putting things out before they feel ready. But it's been liberating.
thecreativelife.net
October 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Perfectionism is often just fear in a fancy suit.
It stops us finishing work, sharing it, learning from it.
It stops us jumping in on our best ideas.
It dooms us to a life of tweaking and polishing.
Here’s how I (eventually) got over it.
It stops us finishing work, sharing it, learning from it.
It stops us jumping in on our best ideas.
It dooms us to a life of tweaking and polishing.
Here’s how I (eventually) got over it.
The part of creative process we often try to skip:
Time to gather yourself, to gather new ideas, references, inputs.
Space to rest, recover, explore and play.
It might not look like work, from the outside.
But it's an essential part of any sustainable creative life.
Time to gather yourself, to gather new ideas, references, inputs.
Space to rest, recover, explore and play.
It might not look like work, from the outside.
But it's an essential part of any sustainable creative life.
October 27, 2025 at 11:03 AM
The part of creative process we often try to skip:
Time to gather yourself, to gather new ideas, references, inputs.
Space to rest, recover, explore and play.
It might not look like work, from the outside.
But it's an essential part of any sustainable creative life.
Time to gather yourself, to gather new ideas, references, inputs.
Space to rest, recover, explore and play.
It might not look like work, from the outside.
But it's an essential part of any sustainable creative life.