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
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.
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.
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?
Film: Palestine 36
Smart, committed and compassionate, Annemarie Jacir is a talented director who makes her points by telling very human stories. Her latest release is more ambitious in scale than her previous films. I wasn’t the only one to leave the cinema in tears.
Smart, committed and compassionate, Annemarie Jacir is a talented director who makes her points by telling very human stories. Her latest release is more ambitious in scale than her previous films. I wasn’t the only one to leave the cinema in tears.
November 9, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Film: Palestine 36
Smart, committed and compassionate, Annemarie Jacir is a talented director who makes her points by telling very human stories. Her latest release is more ambitious in scale than her previous films. I wasn’t the only one to leave the cinema in tears.
Smart, committed and compassionate, Annemarie Jacir is a talented director who makes her points by telling very human stories. Her latest release is more ambitious in scale than her previous films. I wasn’t the only one to leave the cinema in tears.
Podcast: Class Distinction
Simon Lam talks to working-class people involved in creative fields. Which shouldn’t be radical, but when the majority in the media and arts are still public school/Oxbridge educated, sadly it is. The vibrancy of the voices here show what we’re missing out on as a result.
Simon Lam talks to working-class people involved in creative fields. Which shouldn’t be radical, but when the majority in the media and arts are still public school/Oxbridge educated, sadly it is. The vibrancy of the voices here show what we’re missing out on as a result.
November 9, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Podcast: Class Distinction
Simon Lam talks to working-class people involved in creative fields. Which shouldn’t be radical, but when the majority in the media and arts are still public school/Oxbridge educated, sadly it is. The vibrancy of the voices here show what we’re missing out on as a result.
Simon Lam talks to working-class people involved in creative fields. Which shouldn’t be radical, but when the majority in the media and arts are still public school/Oxbridge educated, sadly it is. The vibrancy of the voices here show what we’re missing out on as a result.
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.
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!
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.
If you're feeling blocked, it's easy to say don't worry.
Especially if you're as brilliant a songwriter as Carole King.
But trust yourself.
Go do something different for a while.
Be kind, and your muse always returns.
#Blocktober #creativeblocks
Especially if you're as brilliant a songwriter as Carole King.
But trust yourself.
Go do something different for a while.
Be kind, and your muse always returns.
#Blocktober #creativeblocks
October 20, 2025 at 10:09 AM
If you're feeling blocked, it's easy to say don't worry.
Especially if you're as brilliant a songwriter as Carole King.
But trust yourself.
Go do something different for a while.
Be kind, and your muse always returns.
#Blocktober #creativeblocks
Especially if you're as brilliant a songwriter as Carole King.
But trust yourself.
Go do something different for a while.
Be kind, and your muse always returns.
#Blocktober #creativeblocks
Resting is not a moral failure.
It's a human need.
You don't have to earn or deserve it.
You just need to take it.
This month I'm talking about creative blocks.
Often, the cure is as simple as taking a break, a nap, a play date.
So: when can you cut yourself some lack this week?
It's a human need.
You don't have to earn or deserve it.
You just need to take it.
This month I'm talking about creative blocks.
Often, the cure is as simple as taking a break, a nap, a play date.
So: when can you cut yourself some lack this week?
October 13, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Resting is not a moral failure.
It's a human need.
You don't have to earn or deserve it.
You just need to take it.
This month I'm talking about creative blocks.
Often, the cure is as simple as taking a break, a nap, a play date.
So: when can you cut yourself some lack this week?
It's a human need.
You don't have to earn or deserve it.
You just need to take it.
This month I'm talking about creative blocks.
Often, the cure is as simple as taking a break, a nap, a play date.
So: when can you cut yourself some lack this week?
TV: Slow Horses
Just the best thing on TV at the moment. Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas are superb throughout, but in this series Christopher Chung shines as the preposterous Roddy Ho. And if you haven’t read the Mick Herron books already – they’re a treat.
Just the best thing on TV at the moment. Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas are superb throughout, but in this series Christopher Chung shines as the preposterous Roddy Ho. And if you haven’t read the Mick Herron books already – they’re a treat.
October 12, 2025 at 10:01 AM
TV: Slow Horses
Just the best thing on TV at the moment. Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas are superb throughout, but in this series Christopher Chung shines as the preposterous Roddy Ho. And if you haven’t read the Mick Herron books already – they’re a treat.
Just the best thing on TV at the moment. Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas are superb throughout, but in this series Christopher Chung shines as the preposterous Roddy Ho. And if you haven’t read the Mick Herron books already – they’re a treat.
Book: Soothe, Nahid de Belgeonne
I’m on one of Nahid’s wonderful retreats this weekend, and enjoying every minute of it. If you want to calm your stressed nervous system, her book is a great place to start.
I’m on one of Nahid’s wonderful retreats this weekend, and enjoying every minute of it. If you want to calm your stressed nervous system, her book is a great place to start.
October 12, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Book: Soothe, Nahid de Belgeonne
I’m on one of Nahid’s wonderful retreats this weekend, and enjoying every minute of it. If you want to calm your stressed nervous system, her book is a great place to start.
I’m on one of Nahid’s wonderful retreats this weekend, and enjoying every minute of it. If you want to calm your stressed nervous system, her book is a great place to start.
Sunday celebration.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
TV: The Celebrity Traitors
I don’t watch much reality TV. But if I wasn’t hooked on Traitors already, Alan Carr’s (fairly) unwilling betrayal of Paloma Faith would have reeled me in.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
TV: The Celebrity Traitors
I don’t watch much reality TV. But if I wasn’t hooked on Traitors already, Alan Carr’s (fairly) unwilling betrayal of Paloma Faith would have reeled me in.
October 12, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Sunday celebration.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
TV: The Celebrity Traitors
I don’t watch much reality TV. But if I wasn’t hooked on Traitors already, Alan Carr’s (fairly) unwilling betrayal of Paloma Faith would have reeled me in.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
TV: The Celebrity Traitors
I don’t watch much reality TV. But if I wasn’t hooked on Traitors already, Alan Carr’s (fairly) unwilling betrayal of Paloma Faith would have reeled me in.
You have a to-do list that's never done.
Too much content to ever consume.
And so many choices, so many things you feel you should, ought , must do.
You're overwhelmed.
Here's what to do about it.
thecreativelife.net/dealing-with...
Too much content to ever consume.
And so many choices, so many things you feel you should, ought , must do.
You're overwhelmed.
Here's what to do about it.
thecreativelife.net/dealing-with...
October 7, 2025 at 10:01 AM
You have a to-do list that's never done.
Too much content to ever consume.
And so many choices, so many things you feel you should, ought , must do.
You're overwhelmed.
Here's what to do about it.
thecreativelife.net/dealing-with...
Too much content to ever consume.
And so many choices, so many things you feel you should, ought , must do.
You're overwhelmed.
Here's what to do about it.
thecreativelife.net/dealing-with...
It's hard to imagine the late, great Hilary Mantel getting stuck.
But of course we all do, sometimes.
In those times, stop pushing.
Have an honest attempt at work, but if you're truly stuck, go to something different.
Then try again, gently.
But regularly.
#Blocktober #creativeblocks
But of course we all do, sometimes.
In those times, stop pushing.
Have an honest attempt at work, but if you're truly stuck, go to something different.
Then try again, gently.
But regularly.
#Blocktober #creativeblocks
October 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM
It's hard to imagine the late, great Hilary Mantel getting stuck.
But of course we all do, sometimes.
In those times, stop pushing.
Have an honest attempt at work, but if you're truly stuck, go to something different.
Then try again, gently.
But regularly.
#Blocktober #creativeblocks
But of course we all do, sometimes.
In those times, stop pushing.
Have an honest attempt at work, but if you're truly stuck, go to something different.
Then try again, gently.
But regularly.
#Blocktober #creativeblocks