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
Struggling to pitch your ideas? Can't quite press the 'publish' button? Made some lovely things, but not really telling the world about them ?
I wrote this for you...
I wrote this for you...
The stories that stop you selling your work - The Creative Life
Eight limiting beliefs, stories that stop you from selling your work well. And how to change them. All creatives need marketing skills!
thecreativelife.net
November 25, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Struggling to pitch your ideas? Can't quite press the 'publish' button? Made some lovely things, but not really telling the world about them ?
I wrote this for you...
I wrote this for you...
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?
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.
We all know we should be marketing more. But we’re often less sure about how.
Here are seven simple things you can share about your work - on social media, or elsewhere.
It’s all about building lasting relationships with your true fans.
thecreativelife.net/seven-things...
Here are seven simple things you can share about your work - on social media, or elsewhere.
It’s all about building lasting relationships with your true fans.
thecreativelife.net/seven-things...
Seven things to share about your work - The Creative Life
We need to tell people about our creative work. But where to start? Here are seven things to share about your work on socials - and beyond
thecreativelife.net
November 18, 2025 at 11:06 AM
We all know we should be marketing more. But we’re often less sure about how.
Here are seven simple things you can share about your work - on social media, or elsewhere.
It’s all about building lasting relationships with your true fans.
thecreativelife.net/seven-things...
Here are seven simple things you can share about your work - on social media, or elsewhere.
It’s all about building lasting relationships with your true fans.
thecreativelife.net/seven-things...
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.
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.
We know the creative blocks that stop us starting our work. But what about the fears that that stop us finishing?
When can’t seem to get your creative project over the finish line, here's what might be stopping you. (And how to deal with it.)
thecreativelife.net/fear-of-fini...
When can’t seem to get your creative project over the finish line, here's what might be stopping you. (And how to deal with it.)
thecreativelife.net/fear-of-fini...
Fear of finishing - The Creative Life
This is the creative block that no one talks much about. Facing the fears of that final stretch, and knowing when to let go of a project.
thecreativelife.net
November 11, 2025 at 11:01 AM
We know the creative blocks that stop us starting our work. But what about the fears that that stop us finishing?
When can’t seem to get your creative project over the finish line, here's what might be stopping you. (And how to deal with it.)
thecreativelife.net/fear-of-fini...
When can’t seem to get your creative project over the finish line, here's what might be stopping you. (And how to deal with it.)
thecreativelife.net/fear-of-fini...
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?
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.
As a coach, I work with creative professionals and lots of them have limiting beliefs around money (yup, even the successful and wealthy ones!).
This is just a list of books and resources that I have found useful. sharing them in case they help you, too.
This is just a list of books and resources that I have found useful. sharing them in case they help you, too.
Want to handle your money better? - The Creative Life
Build a library of books about finance. Here are my favourites – plus a few resources that will help if you want to handle your money better
thecreativelife.net
November 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM
As a coach, I work with creative professionals and lots of them have limiting beliefs around money (yup, even the successful and wealthy ones!).
This is just a list of books and resources that I have found useful. sharing them in case they help you, too.
This is just a list of books and resources that I have found useful. sharing them in case they help you, too.
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!
Perfectionism is often just fear in a fancy suit.
It stops us finishing work, sharing it, learning from it.
It stops us jumping in on our best ideas.
It dooms us to a life of tweaking and polishing.
Here’s how I (eventually) got over it.
It stops us finishing work, sharing it, learning from it.
It stops us jumping in on our best ideas.
It dooms us to a life of tweaking and polishing.
Here’s how I (eventually) got over it.
Confessions of a recovering perfectionist - The Creative Life
Confessions of a recovering perfectionist: it hasn't been easy putting things out before they feel ready. But it's been liberating.
thecreativelife.net
October 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Perfectionism is often just fear in a fancy suit.
It stops us finishing work, sharing it, learning from it.
It stops us jumping in on our best ideas.
It dooms us to a life of tweaking and polishing.
Here’s how I (eventually) got over it.
It stops us finishing work, sharing it, learning from it.
It stops us jumping in on our best ideas.
It dooms us to a life of tweaking and polishing.
Here’s how I (eventually) got over it.
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.
This month, I've mainly been avoiding the blank page.
I'm starting a new book, but suddenly decided I needed to research more, read more.
Even though I know the subject well.
Fear is always present, with creative work. So I wrote about it.
I'm starting a new book, but suddenly decided I needed to research more, read more.
Even though I know the subject well.
Fear is always present, with creative work. So I wrote about it.
We need to talk about fear - The Creative Life
Fear is part of creative process. Often disguised as perfectionism or procrastination, it blocks our best work. If we let it take control.
thecreativelife.net
October 21, 2025 at 10:01 AM
This month, I've mainly been avoiding the blank page.
I'm starting a new book, but suddenly decided I needed to research more, read more.
Even though I know the subject well.
Fear is always present, with creative work. So I wrote about it.
I'm starting a new book, but suddenly decided I needed to research more, read more.
Even though I know the subject well.
Fear is always present, with creative work. So I wrote about it.
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
Out of ideas?
If your muse has left the building, here are some suggestions from designer Jonathan Ive, architect Zaha Hadid, artist Richard Friend and entrepreneur James Altucher.
thecreativelife.net/how-to-have-...
If your muse has left the building, here are some suggestions from designer Jonathan Ive, architect Zaha Hadid, artist Richard Friend and entrepreneur James Altucher.
thecreativelife.net/how-to-have-...
Uninspired? Here's how to have more ideas - The Creative Life
Advice from Jonathan Ive, Zaha Hadid and other brilliant creatives
thecreativelife.net
October 13, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Out of ideas?
If your muse has left the building, here are some suggestions from designer Jonathan Ive, architect Zaha Hadid, artist Richard Friend and entrepreneur James Altucher.
thecreativelife.net/how-to-have-...
If your muse has left the building, here are some suggestions from designer Jonathan Ive, architect Zaha Hadid, artist Richard Friend and entrepreneur James Altucher.
thecreativelife.net/how-to-have-...
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?
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
Sunday celebration
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
App: Mem.ai
My note-taking app just had a brilliant upgrade. I keep most of my life in this: short writing, notes, quotes, checklists. As I’m writing something new, a side-panel surfaces related notes to use.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
App: Mem.ai
My note-taking app just had a brilliant upgrade. I keep most of my life in this: short writing, notes, quotes, checklists. As I’m writing something new, a side-panel surfaces related notes to use.
Mem
Let AI organize your team’s work—from meeting notes, projects, to knowledge bases. All instantly searchable and readily discoverable.
Mem.ai
October 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Sunday celebration
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
App: Mem.ai
My note-taking app just had a brilliant upgrade. I keep most of my life in this: short writing, notes, quotes, checklists. As I’m writing something new, a side-panel surfaces related notes to use.
Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week:
App: Mem.ai
My note-taking app just had a brilliant upgrade. I keep most of my life in this: short writing, notes, quotes, checklists. As I’m writing something new, a side-panel surfaces related notes to use.
Are you ready to take your creative business or career to the next level?
My 10-week course for a small group of up to 12 creative professionals starts next Tuesday night at 7.30pm.
Each week, we meet on Zoom and discuss a different aspect of creative process, and making a living from our work.
My 10-week course for a small group of up to 12 creative professionals starts next Tuesday night at 7.30pm.
Each week, we meet on Zoom and discuss a different aspect of creative process, and making a living from our work.
October 2, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Are you ready to take your creative business or career to the next level?
My 10-week course for a small group of up to 12 creative professionals starts next Tuesday night at 7.30pm.
Each week, we meet on Zoom and discuss a different aspect of creative process, and making a living from our work.
My 10-week course for a small group of up to 12 creative professionals starts next Tuesday night at 7.30pm.
Each week, we meet on Zoom and discuss a different aspect of creative process, and making a living from our work.
Even if you work alone - perhaps especially if you work alone - you need a strong network. Grow yours. Nurture it. And use it. It changes everything.
Here’s how.
Here’s how.
Who do you know already? - The Creative Life
Creatives need each other, and the best work grows out of scenes, loose clusters of creatives working together. So who do you know already?
thecreativelife.net
September 30, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Even if you work alone - perhaps especially if you work alone - you need a strong network. Grow yours. Nurture it. And use it. It changes everything.
Here’s how.
Here’s how.
We all fall prey to compare and despair.
Especially in the hall of smoke and mirrors that is social media.
So remember this:
You don't have to be perfect.
You just have to be human.
To make something, and put it out there.
Especially in the hall of smoke and mirrors that is social media.
So remember this:
You don't have to be perfect.
You just have to be human.
To make something, and put it out there.
September 29, 2025 at 10:01 AM
We all fall prey to compare and despair.
Especially in the hall of smoke and mirrors that is social media.
So remember this:
You don't have to be perfect.
You just have to be human.
To make something, and put it out there.
Especially in the hall of smoke and mirrors that is social media.
So remember this:
You don't have to be perfect.
You just have to be human.
To make something, and put it out there.
Sunday celebration: three things I've found fun or inspiring this week.
Novel: Irvine Welsh, Men In Love
Picked this up from the library on Friday. I’m enjoying spending more time with the Trainspotting crew. And seeing how much Welsh has grown as a writer since that early novel.
Novel: Irvine Welsh, Men In Love
Picked this up from the library on Friday. I’m enjoying spending more time with the Trainspotting crew. And seeing how much Welsh has grown as a writer since that early novel.
September 28, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Sunday celebration: three things I've found fun or inspiring this week.
Novel: Irvine Welsh, Men In Love
Picked this up from the library on Friday. I’m enjoying spending more time with the Trainspotting crew. And seeing how much Welsh has grown as a writer since that early novel.
Novel: Irvine Welsh, Men In Love
Picked this up from the library on Friday. I’m enjoying spending more time with the Trainspotting crew. And seeing how much Welsh has grown as a writer since that early novel.