Once upon a time, I was a drip-coffee kind of gal. A simple cup of dark roast with a splash of half-and-half, and I was good to go.
But everything changed when I watched Michael Caine as agent Harry Palmer in The Ipcress File.
There’s a scene—oh, that scene—where he prepares his morning French press with such precision and care that I couldn’t look away.
Suddenly, my drip-coffee routine seemed… well, a little uninspired.
The following day, I dug out the French press my niece had given me for Christmas—finally put it to use—and I haven’t looked back since.
There’s something special about the ritual of making French press coffee.
First, you grind the perfect amount of beans, letting their aroma fill the air. Next, you heat the water to just the right temperature.
Next, you slowly pour in the water, stir, and wait—just long enough for the magic to happen. Press. Pour. Sip. And enjoy.
But here’s the thing: it’s not just about the rich, silty flavor (though let’s be honest, that’s a big part of it).
It’s about the ritual itself. In those quiet morning moments, as I go through the familiar motions, I get to slow down before the day takes off.
My mind wanders, and ideas start to spark.
And we all need a little bit of that.
A slight, intentional pause in our day.
Maybe for you, it’s stirring a slow-cooked risotto or sauce, lighting a few candles, watering the plants in a particular order, or arranging your workspace for the following day.
Whatever your practice, approach it with craft and care. Let it slow you down and ground you in the present.
Because creativity isn’t just about the big ideas—it’s in the little things, too.
So, what sweetly slow😌 experience can you weave into your daily routine?
QUOTES FROM CREATIVES FOR CREATIVES
🖊️RITUALS & ROUTINES TO REFLECT & RECREATE
Check out some of the rituals other working creatives have adopted to fuel their creative processes as you develop or tweak your own.
“When I’m in writing mode for a novel…
I get up at four a.m. and work for five to six hours. In the afternoon, I run for ten kilometers or swim for fifteen hundred meters (or do both), then I read a bit and listen to some music. I go to bed at nine p.m. I keep to this routine every day without variation. The repetition itself becomes the important thing; it’s a form of mesmerism. I mesmerize myself to reach a deeper state of mind.”
“I have kept a hotel room in every town I’ve ever lived in…
I rent a hotel room for a few months, leave my home at six, and try to be at work by six-thirty. To write, I lie across the bed. . . stay until twelve-thirty or one-thirty in the afternoon, and then I go home and try to breathe; I look at the work around five; I have an orderly dinner—proper, quiet, lovely dinner; and then I go back to work the next morning. . . I insist that all things are taken off the walls. I don’t want anything in there. . . no flowers, nothing. . . I’ll read something, maybe the Psalms. . . And I’ll remember how beautiful, how pliable the language is, how it will lend itself. If you pull it, it says, OK.” I remember that and I start to write.”
—Maya Angelou, The Paris Review, “Maya Angelou, The Art of Fiction No. 119,” Fall, 1990, No. 116
“I have a glass of water or a cup of tea...
There’s a certain time I sit down, from 8:00 to 8:30, somewhere within that half hour every morning. I have my vitamin pill and my music, sit in the same seat, and the papers are all arranged in the same places. The cumulative purpose of doing these things the same way every day seems to be a way of saying to the mind, ‘You’re going to be dreaming soon.’”
—Stephen King, Haunted Heart: The Life and Times of Stephen King by Lisa Rogan
TUNES AROUND THE WORLD
🏴WELSH MUSICAL HITS, THEN AND NOW
As we continue this month’s celebration of Wales, listen to:
🎶 “Goldfinger” – Shirley Bassey
With Bassey’s powerhouse voice, this song about the James Bond villain with the “Midas touch” commands attention from start to finish.
💃 “It’s Not Unusual” – Tom Jones
This snappy, danceable tune became an instant classic, thanks to Tom Jones’ rich baritone and a bass rhythm that never quits.
💔 “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler’s signature ballad is an emotion-packed anthem anyone who has known heartbreak can relate to.
🌟 “Jealous of the Angels” – Katherine Jenkins
Thanks to Katherine’s soaring vocals, this song beautifully expresses the ache of bereavement—a true crossover gem.
🙏 “The Prayer” – Charlotte Church (& Josh Groban)
The gorgeous blend of Welsh-born Charlotte’s pure soprano and Josh’s velvety tones will give you chills in the best way.
🏡 “Here We Are Now” – Hannah Grace
Warm and deeply relatable, this tune is about living in the moment and the joy it brings. Hannah Grace’s vocals make every note feel like a hug.
FUN FACTS:
Talk about record-breaking careers! Shirley Bassey has been dazzling audiences for over 70 years, while Tom Jones has been singing his heart out for more than 60.
No wonder the British crown honored her as a Dame and knighted him!
🎙️Listen in here: Spotify
✨ So what do you think? What daily ritual could enhance your creative focus? Might changing one small detail lead to a more productive work session?
And could the music of a talented Welsh musician (or two) become integral to your new creative ritual?
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