Comedian, facilitator and event producer. I love jokes and how they can help us move through hard stuff. Sign up for the Cathartic Laughs newsletter for tips on how to joke about the curve balls life throws our way.
π Does Polyamory have Something to Teach us about Creative Collaborations?
Hey funny humans,
What's new in your world? In my personal life, I am realizing just how little practice I have at identifying and saying what my needs are. Woof! It is something that has created strain in many of my relationships both romantic and platonic.
The other day, a lovely therapist pointed me towards a tool that is essentially a monthly agenda for talking about hard shit in your romantic relationship(s). It was developed by some polyamorous folks who do a lot of education about healthy relationships and tactics for communication.
I have yet to try it out, but am already relieved to have the promise of a monthly conversation where I can verbalize those awkward little needs that there is never a good time to bring up. I am also looking forward to the accountability (in theory) because I am notorious for saying yes to things and then forgetting to do them or changing my mind. This doesn't feel good for me or the people around me.
All this got me thinking about creative collaborations and how there isn't a lot of talk about how to have healthy ones. How do we hash out creative differences where we fight for what we want, while respecting the other folks involved? How do we bring up touchy stuff about money, values or direction?
β
I have zero answers, but I thought it would be fun to repurpose the relationship discussion tool for creative collaborations. You can find the worksheet here. It's a Google Doc so make a copy for yourself and then personalize it!
Since many of us are solo creators (funny, antisocial people love stand-up because we don't have to be nice to other people like improvisers and sketch folks) I think this can be used if you set a monthly meeting with yourself and review your creative goals, what you said you were going to do, and what you actually did. Be nice to yourself if you don't hit your goals. All that is telling you is that you can learn from what went not according to plan.
There are even tips at the top of the worksheet on how to talk to other people nicely using Non-Violent Communication. Some of these tips can be applied to solo creators as a reminder for us to speak to ourselves nicely! (Easier said than done.)
If you use this, tell me how it goes!
Next Workshop
We will see you tomorrow, Saturday Feb 4th at 10:00 AM PST, on Zoom for our informal joke writing meetup. You can come even if you don't have goals or jokes you are actively working on, you can join in and give feedback to others. Can't make this one? Next one is on Feb 18th, so mark your calendar.
Jokes we wish we made...
February 3rd 2023
|
On a hilarious personal note, my partner looks eerily similar to Kyle Kinane, down to having two copies of this exact same tiger fleece (and the matching pants and jacket). My partner tells me I bear an uncanny resemblance to Stephen Merchant, and frankly, I cannot argue with that.
Stay funny and warm and see you tomorrow!
Em
--
π Share jokes online π We have a Cathartic Laughs online session this Saturday at 10am-noon PST on Zoom. Sessions run every other week.
π» Zoom Link π» https://zoom.us/j/92589681139β
Meeting ID: 925 8968 1139, Dial by location:
+1 778 907 2071 Canada
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aSC4fV13H
π§ The Cathartic Laughs Podcast π§is available wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow for interviews with folks about how joking and humour helps then get through tough times.
β
Em Cooper
Comedian, facilitator and event producer. I love jokes and how they can help us move through hard stuff. Sign up for the Cathartic Laughs newsletter for tips on how to joke about the curve balls life throws our way.
Hi funny people, Our last Cathartic Laughs session will be tomorrow, Saturday Dec 9th. Over the past few years we have gathered every other week to swap jokes, give constructive feedback and share updates on what life is throwing at us. I have a massive amount of appreciation for everyone who has joined in. Special appreciation goes to Adora Nwofor, who set the tone of these sessions with her love of comedy, open approach to facilitation and willingness to address challenging issues. These...
Hi funny people, How's yer day? If you are feeling big things with the news these days, I hope you take moments of rest for you. I took some time and I peed a little playing the most low key bit of basketball with friends, so... yeah. It might not go how you want, but breaks are good, even if you have to do more laundry. Anyhow, I'm looking forward to seeing you on Saturday for our joke feedback session. I've not been writing much myself for a while now. I would get going on little stints of...
Hi funny people, I finally listened to the audiobook version of Anne Lamott's classic book on writing called Bird by Bird via Libby! It was recommended highly by Mike Birbiglia on his podcast and he is right, it's a real gift. The book is more personal than many books on writing. Anne is funny and takes detours between helpful tips while she explains exactly what the neurotic, self-doubting voices in her head are saying while she tries to sit and write. Those voices in your head can get in...