How do you find new and interesting things?

A few weeks ago, I received this special note from Nalis Miranda:

‘Dear Yamini, I love your writing and the ideas you come up with and share so generously.

How do you find out these new and interesting things? What is your creative process?’

Her note had me grinning like an idiot in happiness for weeks.

Thank you so much, Nalis! 🤗

It also made me laugh, because even though I write every week, it’s usually just me, a blank page, a cup of tea (Madame Flavour, Green Jasmine & Pear) and my dark self-doubt.

I think what helps is my cabinet of curiosities.

I once saw a recreation of Rembrandt’s cabinet of curiosities, where he collected all sorts of objects and drew inspiration from them.

I remember thinking: I have one of those.

Mine is digital and much less glamorous.

It holds quotes, book passages, odd signs, memes, stories (of course), metaphors, snippets of conversation and anything that makes me think, ‘Ooh, interesting.’

Years ago, I heard on the radio that a herd of reindeer had been spotted at Northland Shopping Centre. Into the cabinet that went.

I never know what I’ll do with any of this.

But when the blank page arrives each week, I have somewhere to rummage.

Sometimes I find exactly what I need, sometimes I find reindeer.

The question I keep coming back to, and I shared with Nalis in my (somewhat gushing) reply: How will this serve my audience?

The interesting thing hopefully helps someone understand, remember, laugh or see something differently.