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
2025 has been a grim year in many ways.
So this is just a simple reminder to creators everywhere.
Our job is of course to reflect the world as it is.
But it is also to help people imagine what it could be.
It all starts with a story, a song, an image.
So make more in 2026.
Show what's possible
So this is just a simple reminder to creators everywhere.
Our job is of course to reflect the world as it is.
But it is also to help people imagine what it could be.
It all starts with a story, a song, an image.
So make more in 2026.
Show what's possible
December 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
2025 has been a grim year in many ways.
So this is just a simple reminder to creators everywhere.
Our job is of course to reflect the world as it is.
But it is also to help people imagine what it could be.
It all starts with a story, a song, an image.
So make more in 2026.
Show what's possible
So this is just a simple reminder to creators everywhere.
Our job is of course to reflect the world as it is.
But it is also to help people imagine what it could be.
It all starts with a story, a song, an image.
So make more in 2026.
Show what's possible
Podcast: The Clearing
I love Katherine May’s writing. I love Oliver Burkeman’s thinking. EP3 of this podcast has them talking about his dream retreat. A lovely, calming listen for the holiday period.
I love Katherine May’s writing. I love Oliver Burkeman’s thinking. EP3 of this podcast has them talking about his dream retreat. A lovely, calming listen for the holiday period.
December 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Podcast: The Clearing
I love Katherine May’s writing. I love Oliver Burkeman’s thinking. EP3 of this podcast has them talking about his dream retreat. A lovely, calming listen for the holiday period.
I love Katherine May’s writing. I love Oliver Burkeman’s thinking. EP3 of this podcast has them talking about his dream retreat. A lovely, calming listen for the holiday period.
Counter Editions
The art print company is 25 years old and celebrates that with an exhibition at the Carl Freedman Gallery in Margate. Lots of great art there, but it just reminded me how much I love David Shrigley (below). If you don’t know his work and need a smile, look him up.
The art print company is 25 years old and celebrates that with an exhibition at the Carl Freedman Gallery in Margate. Lots of great art there, but it just reminded me how much I love David Shrigley (below). If you don’t know his work and need a smile, look him up.
December 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Counter Editions
The art print company is 25 years old and celebrates that with an exhibition at the Carl Freedman Gallery in Margate. Lots of great art there, but it just reminded me how much I love David Shrigley (below). If you don’t know his work and need a smile, look him up.
The art print company is 25 years old and celebrates that with an exhibition at the Carl Freedman Gallery in Margate. Lots of great art there, but it just reminded me how much I love David Shrigley (below). If you don’t know his work and need a smile, look him up.
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.
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.
Documentary: AlphaGo
Greg Kohs' atmospheric, award-winning film about the 2016 tournament between world Go champion Lee Sedol and DeepMind. If you’re wondering what place human creativity will have as AI grows in complexity, this is a good place to start.
Greg Kohs' atmospheric, award-winning film about the 2016 tournament between world Go champion Lee Sedol and DeepMind. If you’re wondering what place human creativity will have as AI grows in complexity, this is a good place to start.
December 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Documentary: AlphaGo
Greg Kohs' atmospheric, award-winning film about the 2016 tournament between world Go champion Lee Sedol and DeepMind. If you’re wondering what place human creativity will have as AI grows in complexity, this is a good place to start.
Greg Kohs' atmospheric, award-winning film about the 2016 tournament between world Go champion Lee Sedol and DeepMind. If you’re wondering what place human creativity will have as AI grows in complexity, this is a good place to start.
Book: The Maniac
Benjamin Labatut skilfully blends fact and fiction in his mind-blowing imagining of the life of Johnny von Neumann, the brilliant Hungarian mathematician who invented Game Theory, helped create the atomic bomb, and laid the foundations for AI.
Benjamin Labatut skilfully blends fact and fiction in his mind-blowing imagining of the life of Johnny von Neumann, the brilliant Hungarian mathematician who invented Game Theory, helped create the atomic bomb, and laid the foundations for AI.
December 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Book: The Maniac
Benjamin Labatut skilfully blends fact and fiction in his mind-blowing imagining of the life of Johnny von Neumann, the brilliant Hungarian mathematician who invented Game Theory, helped create the atomic bomb, and laid the foundations for AI.
Benjamin Labatut skilfully blends fact and fiction in his mind-blowing imagining of the life of Johnny von Neumann, the brilliant Hungarian mathematician who invented Game Theory, helped create the atomic bomb, and laid the foundations for AI.
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.
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.
Comedy: Jin Hao Lee
On a mixed bill with much bigger names (Lou Sanders, Sam Campbell, Tom Rosenthal) in Folkestone this week, Lee stood out for originality and sheer likeability.
On a mixed bill with much bigger names (Lou Sanders, Sam Campbell, Tom Rosenthal) in Folkestone this week, Lee stood out for originality and sheer likeability.
December 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Comedy: Jin Hao Lee
On a mixed bill with much bigger names (Lou Sanders, Sam Campbell, Tom Rosenthal) in Folkestone this week, Lee stood out for originality and sheer likeability.
On a mixed bill with much bigger names (Lou Sanders, Sam Campbell, Tom Rosenthal) in Folkestone this week, Lee stood out for originality and sheer likeability.
Film: King Rocker
Stewart Lee’s entertaining and affectionate doc about Rob Lloyd, leader of Birmingham’s largely unsung post-punk experimentalists The Nightingales. It’s online, but we saw it in Margate, with Lee and director Michael Cummings’ discussing how they made the film against all the odds
Stewart Lee’s entertaining and affectionate doc about Rob Lloyd, leader of Birmingham’s largely unsung post-punk experimentalists The Nightingales. It’s online, but we saw it in Margate, with Lee and director Michael Cummings’ discussing how they made the film against all the odds
December 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Film: King Rocker
Stewart Lee’s entertaining and affectionate doc about Rob Lloyd, leader of Birmingham’s largely unsung post-punk experimentalists The Nightingales. It’s online, but we saw it in Margate, with Lee and director Michael Cummings’ discussing how they made the film against all the odds
Stewart Lee’s entertaining and affectionate doc about Rob Lloyd, leader of Birmingham’s largely unsung post-punk experimentalists The Nightingales. It’s online, but we saw it in Margate, with Lee and director Michael Cummings’ discussing how they made the film against all the odds
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.
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.
Event: Irvine Welsh at the Folkestone Book Festival
Welsh talking about Men In Love, his latest foray into the Trainspotting universe. And his new album, expanding the novel’s theme of miscommunication between men and women.
Welsh talking about Men In Love, his latest foray into the Trainspotting universe. And his new album, expanding the novel’s theme of miscommunication between men and women.
November 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Event: Irvine Welsh at the Folkestone Book Festival
Welsh talking about Men In Love, his latest foray into the Trainspotting universe. And his new album, expanding the novel’s theme of miscommunication between men and women.
Welsh talking about Men In Love, his latest foray into the Trainspotting universe. And his new album, expanding the novel’s theme of miscommunication between men and women.
Film: Running Man
Slipped off to the cinema on a cold, wet Monday afternoon to see Edgar Wright’s latest. It’s extremely silly but also highly entertaining. Though I felt it missed opportunities to score a few sharper points in places.
Slipped off to the cinema on a cold, wet Monday afternoon to see Edgar Wright’s latest. It’s extremely silly but also highly entertaining. Though I felt it missed opportunities to score a few sharper points in places.
November 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Film: Running Man
Slipped off to the cinema on a cold, wet Monday afternoon to see Edgar Wright’s latest. It’s extremely silly but also highly entertaining. Though I felt it missed opportunities to score a few sharper points in places.
Slipped off to the cinema on a cold, wet Monday afternoon to see Edgar Wright’s latest. It’s extremely silly but also highly entertaining. Though I felt it missed opportunities to score a few sharper points in places.
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…
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?
Film: Life of Chuck
A charming, atmospheric adaptation of the Stephen King story, worth it for Tom Hiddlestone’s dance sequence alone.
A charming, atmospheric adaptation of the Stephen King story, worth it for Tom Hiddlestone’s dance sequence alone.
November 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Film: Life of Chuck
A charming, atmospheric adaptation of the Stephen King story, worth it for Tom Hiddlestone’s dance sequence alone.
A charming, atmospheric adaptation of the Stephen King story, worth it for Tom Hiddlestone’s dance sequence alone.
Venue: ARK inn Margate
The setting for the gig above. A beautiful former synagogue repurposed as a flexible community space. Every town should have something like this.
The setting for the gig above. A beautiful former synagogue repurposed as a flexible community space. Every town should have something like this.
November 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Venue: ARK inn Margate
The setting for the gig above. A beautiful former synagogue repurposed as a flexible community space. Every town should have something like this.
The setting for the gig above. A beautiful former synagogue repurposed as a flexible community space. Every town should have something like this.
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.
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.
Book: The Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein
This book came out in 2007 yet predicts and explains a lot of what is going on in the world today, from Gaza to the climate crisis, Trump to Reform. Read it and weep.
This book came out in 2007 yet predicts and explains a lot of what is going on in the world today, from Gaza to the climate crisis, Trump to Reform. Read it and weep.
November 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Book: The Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein
This book came out in 2007 yet predicts and explains a lot of what is going on in the world today, from Gaza to the climate crisis, Trump to Reform. Read it and weep.
This book came out in 2007 yet predicts and explains a lot of what is going on in the world today, from Gaza to the climate crisis, Trump to Reform. Read it and weep.
Book: One Ukranian Summer, Viv Groskop
In 1993, Groskop went to live in the former USSR for a year, to improve her Russian. Instead, she fell in love with a Ukranian musician, though it’s never quite clear if this was reciprocated. A charming coming of age memoir that captures a moment in history.
In 1993, Groskop went to live in the former USSR for a year, to improve her Russian. Instead, she fell in love with a Ukranian musician, though it’s never quite clear if this was reciprocated. A charming coming of age memoir that captures a moment in history.
November 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Book: One Ukranian Summer, Viv Groskop
In 1993, Groskop went to live in the former USSR for a year, to improve her Russian. Instead, she fell in love with a Ukranian musician, though it’s never quite clear if this was reciprocated. A charming coming of age memoir that captures a moment in history.
In 1993, Groskop went to live in the former USSR for a year, to improve her Russian. Instead, she fell in love with a Ukranian musician, though it’s never quite clear if this was reciprocated. A charming coming of age memoir that captures a moment in history.