It’s 9:40 p.m. The room is filled with the soft hum of piano music, gentle lighting, and an abundance of plants. The air carries the rhythmic sounds of pages turning and keyboards clicking. Soon, the music will shift, and a we will be met with a little heavy metal, or maybe some Phill Collins. When we sign in, we are asked for something to break concentration.
When you sign in, you are offered a capri sun, you find your comphy spot and then, if you choose, a glass of sangria.
At the 50-minute mark, we pause. We step away from the intensity of writing, from the mental marathon, to nourish ourselves and connect. Each break, there is a different snack and refrigerators stocked with waters, beer and wine…. and of course COFFEE.. who is not motivated by snacks!?
I’m at a writing lock-in. From 5 p.m. to midnight, we write, create, and push ourselves toward productivity.
In just under five hours, I’ve accomplished more than I have in months. There’s something about being surrounded by people who are here for the same purpose—yet chasing different outcomes.
Some are crafting screenplays, novels, memoirs. Others are designing websites or tackling work. But at the core, we are all here to create.
This experience has reminded me of a few things:
- People are freaking amazing. Our minds are unstoppable, pliable—especially when nurtured in the right environment.
- Human connection is a lost art. The depth of intellectual, face-to-face conversations is unmatched.
- I still hate the sound of others eating.
- At first the sound of others typing was grating on me, then I changed the narrative in my head. This sound has nothing to do with me, it is the sound of productivity. I tapped into the sound wanting to make it my own. Being a competitive person this fueled me… head down and GO.
- Co-creation is a gift—beautiful, powerful, and energizing.
When you’re stuck, find your people. Step outside your comfort zone. Take the leap.
You won’t look back—you’ll only wonder why it took you so long to “just do the damn thing.”
(And yes, I still hate the sound of others eating.)
If you’re wondering how I found this group—jump on Eventbrite, search for something you love, sign up, and show up.
That’s it. Commit to yourself.
Happy Living My Friends!