creative writing school
Module 7: Nature's Symphony
structure
Introduction
Theory
Inspiration
Creative writing exercises
Stay grounded & motivated
Share your text with us
Theory
Inspiration
Creative writing exercises
Stay grounded & motivated
Share your text with us
introduction
The world around us is a symphony of cycles: the day gives way to night, seasons shift in perpetual rhythm, the moon waxes and wanes, and life ebbs and flows in birth, growth, decay, and renewal. These cycles govern not only the external world but also our internal lives, from hormonal fluctuations to the rhythms of our emotions, relationships, and creative energies. Yet, in Western society, we are often conditioned to view time, relationships, and progress linearly—seeing beginnings and endings as successes or failures rather than as natural phases of a greater whole.
This lesson explores how embracing the cyclic nature of existence can transform our creative practice and our approach to life, love, and writing. By reflecting on nature’s inherent periodicity, we can learn to celebrate transitions, honor closures, and find renewal in endings, mirroring the wisdom of nature’s cycles in our work and relationships.
This lesson explores how embracing the cyclic nature of existence can transform our creative practice and our approach to life, love, and writing. By reflecting on nature’s inherent periodicity, we can learn to celebrate transitions, honor closures, and find renewal in endings, mirroring the wisdom of nature’s cycles in our work and relationships.
theory
Biology
At the biological level, cycles are a fundamental aspect of life. The circadian rhythm governs our sleep-wake patterns, orchestrating everything from metabolism to cognitive function. The menstrual cycle, with its hormonal fluctuations, influences emotions, energy levels, and even creativity. These natural rhythms remind us that rest, renewal, and transformation are intrinsic to our very being.
In ecosystems, cycles such as the carbon and nitrogen cycles ensure balance and sustainability, demonstrating the interconnectedness of all life. Each stage of these cycles—growth, decay, and rebirth—plays a vital role in maintaining the system. This biological reality highlights the importance of endings as precursors to new beginnings.
Psychology
Psychologically, Carl Jung’s concept of individuation aligns with cyclic thinking. Personal growth often follows a spiral pattern: we revisit similar themes and challenges at different stages of life, each time deepening our understanding. This cyclic perspective on personal development challenges the notion of linear self-improvement and embraces the idea of continual evolution.
Philosophy
Philosophically, the idea of eternal return, explored by Friedrich Nietzsche, suggests that life, like nature, is inherently cyclical. Nietzsche’s thought experiment encourages us to embrace each moment fully, knowing it will recur infinitely, thus finding joy in the process rather than fixating on outcomes. Similarly, Eastern philosophies such as Buddhism emphasize the cyclic nature of existence, with concepts like samsara—life's endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth—offering a framework for understanding impermanence and embracing transformation.
At the biological level, cycles are a fundamental aspect of life. The circadian rhythm governs our sleep-wake patterns, orchestrating everything from metabolism to cognitive function. The menstrual cycle, with its hormonal fluctuations, influences emotions, energy levels, and even creativity. These natural rhythms remind us that rest, renewal, and transformation are intrinsic to our very being.
In ecosystems, cycles such as the carbon and nitrogen cycles ensure balance and sustainability, demonstrating the interconnectedness of all life. Each stage of these cycles—growth, decay, and rebirth—plays a vital role in maintaining the system. This biological reality highlights the importance of endings as precursors to new beginnings.
Psychology
Psychologically, Carl Jung’s concept of individuation aligns with cyclic thinking. Personal growth often follows a spiral pattern: we revisit similar themes and challenges at different stages of life, each time deepening our understanding. This cyclic perspective on personal development challenges the notion of linear self-improvement and embraces the idea of continual evolution.
Philosophy
Philosophically, the idea of eternal return, explored by Friedrich Nietzsche, suggests that life, like nature, is inherently cyclical. Nietzsche’s thought experiment encourages us to embrace each moment fully, knowing it will recur infinitely, thus finding joy in the process rather than fixating on outcomes. Similarly, Eastern philosophies such as Buddhism emphasize the cyclic nature of existence, with concepts like samsara—life's endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth—offering a framework for understanding impermanence and embracing transformation.
inspiration
Artists and writers often turn to nature’s cycles for inspiration, using them as metaphors for human experiences. In Rainer Maria Rilke’s Letters to a young poet, he advises embracing solitude and change, likening the inner life to the seasons: “And you wait, as if from outside, for the maturity of the inner fruits.” Similarly, Anaïs Nin’s diaries frequently reflect on the cyclical nature of relationships, creativity, and self-discovery, advocating for fluidity and renewal.
In art, Yayoi Kusama’s infinity rooms evoke a sense of timeless repetition, reminding us of the cyclical patterns that underlie existence. Similarly, Agnes Varda’s film The Gleaners and I celebrates the cycles of waste and renewal, finding beauty in the overlooked stages of decay and transformation.
Closer to nature, Andy Goldsworthy’s ephemeral sculptures, created from natural materials like leaves and ice, are inherently cyclic. They decay and dissolve, underscoring the impermanence of art and life, yet their impact lingers, much like the memories of a fleeting relationship or a creative endeavor.
In art, Yayoi Kusama’s infinity rooms evoke a sense of timeless repetition, reminding us of the cyclical patterns that underlie existence. Similarly, Agnes Varda’s film The Gleaners and I celebrates the cycles of waste and renewal, finding beauty in the overlooked stages of decay and transformation.
Closer to nature, Andy Goldsworthy’s ephemeral sculptures, created from natural materials like leaves and ice, are inherently cyclic. They decay and dissolve, underscoring the impermanence of art and life, yet their impact lingers, much like the memories of a fleeting relationship or a creative endeavor.
creative exercise
"Seasons of the heart"
Materials needed: A journal, a quiet space, and a symbolic object (a leaf, a rock, a shell) to represent nature’s cycles.
Materials needed: A journal, a quiet space, and a symbolic object (a leaf, a rock, a shell) to represent nature’s cycles.
- Reflect: Begin by observing your chosen object. Note its texture, shape, and imperfections. Reflect on its journey—how it came to be in your hands, what it symbolizes in the cycle of nature (e.g., a fallen leaf as part of autumn’s decay).
- Identify a personal cycle: Think of a phase in your life that recently ended—a relationship, a project, a mindset. Consider how this ending is part of a larger cycle, leading to renewal or transformation.
- Write: Craft a piece titled Seasons of the heart, structured in four parts:
- Spring: The inception or renewal of the experience.
- Summer: Its peak and flourishing.
- Autumn: The period of transition and letting go.
- Winter: The ending, rest, and preparation for rebirth.
Use vivid imagery and draw parallels between your personal cycle and the natural cycles observed in your symbolic object.
- Close the loop: End your piece with a reflection on how this cycle has shaped you and how you carry its lessons into your next phase.
stay grounded and motivated!
"Night and day, the rhythm of the seasons, the lunar phases, and the ebb and flow of tides remind us that everything in life is cyclical. The human body, like the cosmos, operates in cycles, from the heartbeat to hormonal fluctuations. Understanding this periodicity can be liberating—it teaches us that endings are not failures but necessary preludes to beginnings.
In relationships, the cyclic perspective offers a refreshing alternative to Western ideals of linearity and permanence. What if love, like nature, moved through seasons? What if we could embrace relationships as chapters, appreciating their beauty without clinging to their continuity? Imagine celebrating a breakup not as a failure but as a harvest—a time to reflect on the growth it fostered and the space it opens for renewal.
This perspective extends to your creative life. Writing, like nature, thrives in cycles of creation, revision, and rest. Allow yourself to honor each phase, knowing that every ending carries the seed of a new beginning.
Today, I invite you to view your life and your writing through the lens of cycles. Rest when you need to, let go of what no longer serves you, and trust that the next season will arrive in its time. Embrace the periodicity of existence as a form of resistance to the relentless linearity of modern life. Reclaim the beauty of in-betweens, transitions, and renewals.
Take your time, breathe deeply, and write your way into the next cycle of your journey."
—Anna Ádám
Founder of the School of Disobedience
In relationships, the cyclic perspective offers a refreshing alternative to Western ideals of linearity and permanence. What if love, like nature, moved through seasons? What if we could embrace relationships as chapters, appreciating their beauty without clinging to their continuity? Imagine celebrating a breakup not as a failure but as a harvest—a time to reflect on the growth it fostered and the space it opens for renewal.
This perspective extends to your creative life. Writing, like nature, thrives in cycles of creation, revision, and rest. Allow yourself to honor each phase, knowing that every ending carries the seed of a new beginning.
Today, I invite you to view your life and your writing through the lens of cycles. Rest when you need to, let go of what no longer serves you, and trust that the next season will arrive in its time. Embrace the periodicity of existence as a form of resistance to the relentless linearity of modern life. Reclaim the beauty of in-betweens, transitions, and renewals.
Take your time, breathe deeply, and write your way into the next cycle of your journey."
—Anna Ádám
Founder of the School of Disobedience
Photo: Anna Adam