Creative Angels in Our Midst

The antidote to social media (and self) malaise.

Welcome to Mia’s Queue, a newsletter at the intersection of curation, connection, and personal change. Usually, I interview undercover tastemakers about what lights them up, where they find inspiration, and what they think we should all be enjoying right now. Today’s edition is part of a more personal series. It was powered by Autechre’s 1994 album, “Amber.”

There’s nothing like a trip to LinkedIn to trigger a bad mood. The chorus of accomplishments is kindling for a voice that loves to tell me I’m not enough. I’m happy for you, people of LinkedIn, but I internalize too much. When jealousy starts to seep in, that’s when I know I’ve let social media get the best of me, and I need to do something else.

A therapist once told me: “The opposite of materialism is spirituality.” I like that saying because it moves the focus from needing external validation to cultivating an inner world. I like that I can always be world-building and no one needs to know about it. As opposed to a material good, which can be fairly boring in its broadcast of status or whatever, tending to my inner life is my little secret. It’s kind of fun keeping something this big to myself and feeling in control of who gets to hear it.

A major component of developing this inner world, I’m learning, is having a creative practice. I used to think it was a waste of time to noodle without assurances that the end product would be seen and celebrated. During three different periods of my life, I’ve tried and failed to write Morning Pages, the daily journaling practice recommended by Julia Cameron in her bestselling creative lifestyle bible “The Artist's Way.” I never really understood why anyone would write three pages of nothing every day. Isn’t that the definition of futility? 

Now I wonder if I’ve been efficient to a fault. “Keep going” urges a newer voice that wants what’s best for me. Get back up on that horse. Just do it. Just write. I’m finally seeing that writing is a way of working out ideas and making connections between them. I’m surprised by what comes from my pen even when I think I have nothing to say. I’m surprised how my scribbles suggest the next microstep to take and/or let me pin a thought on the page for later. There’s no need to discard or rush anything. Marination is strongly encouraged. 

I know devotees of “The Artist’s Way” and many in the Substack community will feel me on this. There is inherent value in creating. Full stop. I’m also delighted to see the halo effect, that communities around the act of creation can be as nourishing as creation itself. I’m talking about things like writing circles, IRL meetups, subscribers, and one-on-one relationships with other creators. I’ve started to think of these groups, these people as my creative angels. A creative angel is:

• The person who notices and gently reminds, “Hey, you haven’t collaged for a while” 

• The person who asks you to do something creative together every quarter

• The person who encourages sharing in a writing group

• The person who offers to teach me Canva because it’s a versatile creative tool

• The person who bothers to like and comment on this newsletter 

These people are all cheerleaders, without asking for or “getting” anything in return. Their (your!) interest is a gift I don’t take for granted. 

This gratitude has made me want to be more intentional about being a creative angel for others. I’ve been trying harder to create focused time to read (really read) and engage thoughtfully with other creators. I’m making it part of my weekly checklist, carving out 30-60 minutes for focused commenting, DMs, and follows. It feels like a more sustainable way to build community and doesn’t leave me with a horrid social media hangover. 

I see parallels to the therapist’s quote. Broadcasting accomplishments is a form of materialism; cultivating creativity — and creative angels — is the far more spiritual route. 

Let this be our little secret. ✨

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What’s filling me up ⛽️:

🧠 This is your brain on prompts

Allow me to state the obvious: podcasts are the best! There are so many valuable nuggets tucked away in these things! After a brief flirtation with audiobooks in an attempt to juice the number of books I read in 2024, I’m back to podcasts as my primary non-music listening. This episode of “Unthinkable” features

Melanie Deziel

, a content maven and one of my creative angels. I loved hearing her tell her David Carr story and its impact on her career. I too am a David Carr stan (come to think of it, I’ve gotta re-read “The Night of the Gun”) but what really stuck with me was the notion of brain prompts. 

“You are not blocked, you are using the wrong prompt,” Melanie says. “Your brain is a straight-line machine.” If you tell yourself you’re blocked, your brain will tell you all the reasons why you are indeed blocked! Instead, ask yourself, “What is the prompt I need to produce on? You will set your brain in that direction.” Gold. 🥇

💪“Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk” by Kathleen Hanna

I never really listened to Bikini Kill or got into the riot grrl movement, but Lesa Hannah’s review of this memoir was the Gen X stamp of approval I needed to pick it up. Growing up invisible in a dysfunctional family, facing endless sexism, abuse, trauma…Hanna is a gritty fighter who processes through writing and no-holds-barred self-expression. I admire people like that. Plus, you get to learn how “Smells Like Teen Spirit” got its name and where the word “bombshell” comes from. Recommend — especially if the 90s are your happy place (as they seem to be in my Gen X+Z house).

🎤 Charli XCX 

I’ve loved Charli XCX since I first heard “1999,” but her Boiler Room set and her new album, “Brat,” have put that fascination into overdrive. 

It helps that my kid is also a huge fan, and I’m counting the days till we see her and Troye Sivan at the Chase Center in October. Did I mention I love seeing concerts with my kids? I’m always stunned when they opt to go with me instead of a friend. I’ll take it. ❤️ 

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