On the Freedom to Listen to Your Creative Impulses.
... And my love for New Jersey.
This past week, I've encountered significant resistance to writing.
Like a LOT. So much so that I've only managed to write a single Medium article, against the 2-3 ones I try to write every week.
On the flip side, though, my creativity has found expression in various other ways.
I have done some figure drawing (something I hadn't done in years), attended a Salsa class, meditated, and felt inspired to take walks after sunset while listening to music.
Interestingly, a painter I follow on Instagram also mentioned her recent lack of inspiration for her usual work. Eventually, she had to surrender to the fact that she was being called to pursue different types of creative endeavor. Unfortunately, she deleted the post so I can’t link it here.
The process of surrendering has been challenging for me.
Throughout the entire week, I've wrestled with feelings of guilt for not producing my usual amount of articles, and I don't have a neat lesson to share from it. Sometimes, the outcome of a process looks way different from a neatly packaged lesson ready for sharing💝.
But hey, I wrote an article about the affection that I'm slowly developing for this crazy place that is New Jersey. It's where I'm currently living and where I will be living for the next few months.
If you are curious, keep reading 🌃:
What a Magical Place New Jersey Is!
Reflections on my fascination for this state.
I moved to New Jersey recently, this time for a longer time, and I can’t help but see it as a magical place.
If you are lucky here you can:
Admire houses that resemble the one of Sabrina the Teenage Witch (picture above);
Let the image below be your view during your nightly walk;
Spot wild creatures licking milk-shake on the street;
New Jersey has a charm all its own.
One that almost instills a sense of belonging in me, even as a non-resident alien, and elicits a sigh of relief for it not being Manhattan or Brooklyn.
As for Manhattan, in particular, I wonder how it’s possible to create a sense of attachment or connection to a place that, in certain areas, is crossed by nearly 360,000 pedestrians each day.
I’m certain that homeowners there, perhaps those who purchased apartments decades ago in a much more favorable economic time, must harbor a profound sense of attachment to that borough.
But for me, exclusivity, or rather, the illusion of it, is a prerequisite for forming bonds with a place. I’ve discovered it; I learned the hard way to love it. I’ve found the hidden gems that people can’t miss or that I choose not to disclose for fear they’ll lose their charm.
Among millions of residents, tourists, and commuters in Manhattan, achieving this illusion is, of course, close to impossible.
In this part of New Jersey, instead, characterized by highly residential areas and a diverse social fabric, with only a few businesses, a park, and abundant silence, my illusion almost feels attainable.
I am developing a sense of attachment to this place.
I’ve recently read that New Jersey is a pretty hated state.
The main reasons appear to be the prevalence of turnpikes and jug handles, as well as the significant population of New Yorkers residing along the shore.
However, I’ve also heard that there is a typical ‘New Jersey attitude’ that many people don’t find very enjoyable — an aggressive, loud, in-your-face, quick-to-react type of behavior — popularized by shows like Jersey Shore.
It’s interesting to note that, according to my ‘street’s statistics’, Jersey Shore appears to be the only show equally popular in both the US and Italy. This is unlike other American TV shows that have become a fundamental part of any young Italian upbringing but are not nearly as popular in the US.
Returning to the Jersey attitude, while I recognize some similarities with Italian attitudes — mainly the loud and quick-to-react aspects — never in my life would I have made the connection that Jersey Shore participants were all of Italian origin. Ignorantly, I always thought that they were Latinos!
My favorite activity in Jersey is spotting affordable and delicious places — a pursuit that has become increasingly rare due to its proximity to New York City, where even a coffee at a diner now costs $3.50.
So far, I’ve found amazing Cubano sandwiches for $5, great Indian restaurants, and a European-style bakery that has satisfied my obsession for pastries and croissants without emptying my wallet.
For this reason, when I hear NYC friends and acquaintances expressing surprise that I live in Jersey and commenting on how far away it must be, it’s music to my ears!
It may be selfish to say (considering I might contribute to the issue, if not now, then maybe one day), but I hope gentrification won’t expand to this area anytime soon.
That’s all from me this week.
Have a beautiful Sunday y’all!
Yours,
Caterina