Daily Rituals

How do great minds like Beethoven, Auden, and Morrison stay inspired and productive in their daily lives? By crafting routines both peculiar and profound.

1. Creativity thrives at different times for different people.

It’s obvious that not everyone has the same productive hours. Some creatives prefer early mornings while others find their groove late at night. Poet W.H. Auden staunchly believed in working during the day and famously declared that “Only the Hitlers of the world work at night; no honest artist does.” Early risers like Toni Morrison embrace the reflective quiet of dawn, using it to transition into a fresh day.

Others, though, find their rhythm in the stillness of night. Gustave Flaubert preferred working after fulfilling his daytime obligations, crafting his creations in the deep quiet of the night. These routines are not whims but intentional decisions that align with personal energy levels and lifestyles.

This choice underscores how different schedules help creatives work effectively. From Ann Beattie’s nocturnal workflow to Nicholson Baker simulating two mornings by starting early, then napping and restarting, the lesson here is simple: timing matters in connecting to our creative flow.

Examples

• Toni Morrison used the mystical morning light at 5 a.m. as inspiration for her literary work.
• Nicholson Baker split his day into two mornings for bursts of productive energy.
• Gustave Flaubert encapsulated the essence of night’s quietness in his writing routine.

2. Life circumstances often shape artistic output.

The amount of time an artist has can make or break their ability to create. Richard Wright completed his 500-page novel in five months thanks to a financial prop from the New York Writer’s Program. Yet not everyone enjoys such luxury. Wolfgang Mozart’s time was largely dominated by teaching and appeasing patrons, forcing him to work on his music late into the night.

Similarly, Karl Marx worked tirelessly amidst poverty and political exile to finish Das Kapital. Time was an expensive commodity he could ill afford. Even those with financial stability like Haruki Murakami or Henry Green chose steady day jobs — Murakami ran a jazz club before fully pursuing writing, while Green balanced corporate life alongside his literary ambitions.

For many, stability, time constraints, or financial limitations ultimately serve as critical factors shaping their creative endeavors.

Examples

• Richard Wright wrote his novel while fully supported by a salary.
• Mozart juggled his labor-intensive schedule with nighttime composition sessions.
• Haruki Murakami managed his early writing career while running a jazz club.

3. Stimulants fuel the practice and passion of creativity.

Many artists use small rituals involving stimulants like coffee to ignite their creativity. Beethoven brewed his coffee with precisely 60 beans, counting them individually each morning. Søren Kierkegaard cherished bespoke coffee rituals, selecting from over 50 cup-and-saucer sets to enjoy his brew with flair.

Others turned to more potent substances to prolong working hours or escape exhaustion. W.H. Auden swore by amphetamines to power up during the day and sedatives for sleep, while Sartre consumed corydrane in dangerous excess to keep working despite a grueling lifestyle of overindulgence.

Whether it’s the warm embrace of coffee or artificial spikes brought by drugs, these routines illustrate the lengths creatives may go to sustain their flow.

Examples

• Beethoven’s strict coffee ritual began his day with precision and focus.
• Kierkegaard’s cup-and-saucer tradition ensured a daily spark of joy for creative work.
• Sartre relied on 20 pills of corydrane a day to meet his intellectual demands.

4. Environment plays an essential role in inspiration.

Where one works matters just as much as how. Carl Jung took refuge in a simple lakeside home where he disconnected from the city and embraced minimalism. From writing to reflection, the serenity of nature fueled his creativity.

On the opposite spectrum, some creatives found solitude in the heart of bustling cities. Erik Satie created order amidst urban chaos, walking the same routes daily in his velvet suit, while Patricia Highsmith kept her apartment cozy with cigarettes, coffee, and treats like doughnuts — channels for feeling at ease.

There is no universal setting for creativity. For many, it’s about designing an environment that balances physical comfort with mental stimulation.

Examples

• Carl Jung found solace and focus in a stone house by a lake.
• Erik Satie used his daily city strolls to spark mental creativity.
• Patricia Highsmith created her ideal cozy workspace, pairing snacks with writing.

5. Routines vary across creators but serve the same goal.

No two artists work the same way. Benjamin Britten worked tirelessly and systematically, believing in pure effort rather than waiting for inspiration. In sharp contrast, Gertrude Stein wrote for only 30 minutes a day while enjoying the simplicity of observing cows — and yet produced extraordinary works.

Some creatives play with their processes to maintain their flow. Composer Morton Feldman rewrote note sequences as a way to spark new ideas, while Kingsley Amis would deliberately pause midway through a story he knew well, making it easy to jump back into writing the next day.

Each creator finds what works uniquely for them and builds their discipline around it.

Examples

• Britten treated his life and artistic discipline as one and the same.
• Stein looked to cows for inspiration during her short-but-productive sessions.
• Feldman rewrote melodies line by line to reignite creative sparks.

6. Movement can unlock ideas.

Physical activity enables mental clarity. Kierkegaard swore by long daily walks, often piecing together powerful ideas while moving. This act of connection between body and mind is mirrored by surrealist painter Joan Miró, who exercised rigorously as a way to stabilize his emotions and dismiss depression.

Unorthodox methods also arise. Benjamin Franklin believed in “air baths” — sitting naked by an open window to refresh his mind. Similarly, Woody Allen showered as a quick solution to mental blocks when stories or jokes felt stuck.

Whether through movement, fresh air, or even unconventional habits, reconnecting to our physical self often frees our minds to think in new ways.

Examples

• Kierkegaard’s most profound ideas happened during his afternoon strolls.
• Benjamin Franklin took daily air baths for creative stimulation.
• Joan Miró’s physical workouts helped combat depressive tendencies.

7. Artistic partnerships provide structure and relief.

Romantic partners and friends frequently play practical and emotional roles in supporting great minds. For example, Alice B. Toklas handled household duties so Gertrude Stein could solely focus on writing. In the Mahler household, Alma facilitated her husband’s creativity by managing their children’s schedule.

Social interactions also matter. Kant visited his best friend Joseph Green daily for a brief intellectual reprieve, while Karl Marx depended significantly on Friedrich Engels, both financially and emotionally, during times of struggle.

People behind the scenes help creatives thrive in ways that are unquantifiable but undeniably impactful.

Examples

• Alma Mahler ensured Gustav had silence and structured routines for work.
• Alice B. Toklas acted as Gertrude Stein’s anchor and logistical support.
• Kant valued his daily routine of visiting friends for mental relaxation.

8. Women creators often balance duties and ambition.

Historically, women faced additional challenges in leading creative lives. Jane Austen wrote her masterpieces while concealed in a sitting room, using household disruptions to fuel rather than hinder her writing. Alma Mahler gave up composing at her husband’s insistence; the creative spotlight was his alone.

Even after shifts in gender roles, modern artists like Toni Morrison still navigated professional ambition alongside raising children. Innovations in balancing family life pushed many talented women forward against societal constraints.

These examples reveal the grit of women who refused to let convention limit their creative endeavors, even in restrictive times.

Examples

• Jane Austen used small household breaks and persistence to write.
• Alma Mahler sacrificed her own compositions under societal pressure.
• Toni Morrison balanced full-time work and motherhood while creating timeless novels.

9. Passion is fueled by discipline or indulgence.

Whether through rigorous schedules or indulgent lifestyles, passion often finds its path through disciplined habits or personal quirks. Benjamin Britten’s tireless work ethic and Sartre’s near-destructive approach to overconsumption both encapsulate this.

Some creators aim to escape seriousness. Patricia Highsmith carried snails to a cocktail party, illustrating the playfulness some bring to their lives. The intensity of commitment varies, but the underlying dedication remains.

Ultimately, creativity is not tethered by conformity.

Examples

• Britten worked tirelessly and refused to wait for inspiration.
• Sartre indulged excessively to keep producing ideas.
• Highsmith embraced eccentricity by bringing snails to socialize.

Takeaways

1. Experiment with your working hours to find the part of the day when your energy and clarity peak.
2. Construct a personal routine—whether it involves movement, rituals, or tailored environments—that keeps your creativity flowing.
3. Seek support where possible, whether through friends, family, or professional networks, to free up space for creative pursuits.