Amanda Espiritu: On Creative Surrender
Marianna
What sources of inspiration do you use to foster creativity in your work?
Amanda
For my writing: I’ve been inspired by my English teachers. Partially because they identified my love for reading early on, so I naturally excelled in class. Their writing assignments inspired me to come up with the right words, and discover new words. Their passion pushed me to find my own voice.
I just love the word, in whatever form it appears. Written or spoken. There are so many possibilities when it comes to writing - nonfiction, freestyle stream of conscious creative, poetry, serious, technical writing…
I’m also inspired by the act of world building. Specifically in the fantasy/sci fi series I read as a kid. As I got older, non fiction as well. I started connecting and realizing the way writing and art could be my legacy - asking myself “What books are going to fill the libraries of the future?”
I believe we all have phases looking back at ancient civilizations and the record that remains as a commentary on that culture. These things that have lived for generations. I ask myself “What was the story?”
I think a lot about how people’s stories and lives are captured.
A quote that has stuck with me is this misattributed Mark Twain quote:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.”
I love the sentiment behind it. I’ve felt a hybrid of many different identities, blazing new trails, setting out into the unknown and forging a path for myself. It’s the act of setting off on the journey and knowing that if you do return, you will return a changed person.
I also love the quote “Well behaved women rarely make history” - it originally had to do with puritianical culture, but it’s become a rally cry and permission to go be bold!
Marianna
When do your best ideas hit you?
Amanda
It depends on my energy level. Most of the time, it feels spontaneous. I do set my day up for success, a la The Artists Way by Julia Cameron, which I recommend everyone work through.
If I’m dancing or vibing, it will bring up ideas I’ve been half thinking about. Dance has always been my “Shower moment”. It helps me get into a meditative state, and sometimes translates over to what I write about.
The best time of day is in the morning, in a half-awake state - sometimes that’s when some really wonderful ideas come through.
Marianna
What does “artivism” mean to you?
Amanda
In terms of who I am, artivism means I am a dreamer sparking creation, collaboration, and celebration through art, adventure, and advocacy. I want to spark others to do the same.
I enjoy playing in the intersections of art, activism and advocacy. Art is accessible. Sometimes images translate just as powerfully without any words.
For instance, the I organized the Namastay At Home Festival in April 2020 and August 2020 during Covid-19. I was able to share light and joy, but also uplift important causes we care about and support artists. Art and music transcend language barriers and country borders.
Marianna
What does creativity mean to you?
Amanda
Creativity is a way of self expression, of healing, and of connection. Approaching things in an untraditional manner that can shift others perspective to see it in a completely new way.
Marianna
Tell me about THAT GOOD FRIEND SHIT! What inspired this new series?
Amanda
It happened very quickly but was also a long time coming. Friendship has always been incredibly important to me. Friends and a support system have been my core, in that strong friends and building a global support system have always been inherent in what I set out to do. My life mission is to create, collaborate, and celebrate together.
In Western society, there's a huge emphasis on romantic partnership. It sometimes seems friendships aren’t taken as seriously. People avoid talking about things like a friendship breakup. But friendship breakups can be devastating! I care deeply about my non-romantic friendships. We wanted to talk about all of these pieces, all of the nuances in this space. We believe there should be a leveling up of our non-romantic friendships, that we have tools and ideas to share and there’s a conversation to be had. We want to create a container for these powerful conversations.
This year has starkly outlined how important friendship and intimacy are. My two co-founders Amela Subašić and Jaimee Estreller love diving deep into this space, and this topic kept coming up this year during our conversations.
We wanted to celebrate our friends, get together, and share stories about what friendship means to us. We think our society needs to prioritize friendship as much as it celebrates romantic relationships and familial blood ties. We need to get vulnerable and support each other in moving beyond the Early Life Stage of our Wikipedia pages.
Marianna
You’re releasing your first book Creative Surrender: Embracing Artivism, Global Collaboration, & Celebration! How did the idea of writing a book come about?
Amanda
I’ve been telling bits and pieces of my stories by word of mouth for years. I realized being vulnerable allows other people to share in my vulnerability. Drop new thoughts, realize breakthroughs, discover new parts of themselves.
The book came about because a few friends and I came together for NaNoRiMo in November of 2019. I’d been toying with the idea of writing a book, and I’m generally more productive when I’m working with others - it allows me to check in and creates accountability. It was a power beyond what I’ve been doing with spoken words, creative writing and short stories. We thought “Wow! Look how much we can do in 30 days of focused work!”
I returned to it in 2020 - this year has given back unexpected time to think about things in new ways. Maybe things we’ve worked on half way but have been scared to put out!
In summer of 2019, I started revamping my morning routine - waking up at 6am, journaling, and dancing - and that change was powerful. Getting everything out as soon as I woke up, and I realized it wasn’t so much a journal entry, but rather looking at moments of gratitude.
Marianna
What’s the symbolism behind the cover image you designed?
Amanda
The cover represents where I come from, where I am, and where I’m going. That voyager mindset is important to me, I see myself as an explorer. Being in discovery mode has been my favorite mode.
It’s also about conquering the unknown, conquering fear. Jumping in and trusting that it will be ok. Needing to trust in the universe, the process, and yourself. I love the quote “Friends are the angels that lift your wings when you forget how to fly.” I’m thankful for all the friends, community, and people who are supporting me, uplifting me.
Marianna
What big lesson do you want to leave readers with?
Amanda
The biggest lesson from the book is to learn to do things within community. Oftentimes, we don’t see ourselves very clearly. The world feels overwhelming and it feels like we’re tackling it alone. But the more I’ve approached work with a fun, experimental, and collaborative mindset, the better the results.
Sometimes people really want to support you, so give them a chance! Move forward hand-in-hand and be okay making mistakes.
The best way to grow is to move forward together.
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About Amanda Kelly Espiritu:
Amanda Kelly Espiritu is an artist, executive producer, and community builder. As the Founder of Creative Surrender Studios, Amanda loves to play in the intersection of art, adventure, and advocacy. She’s worked with creatives and entrepreneurs around the world to reignite their passions, sate their curiosity, and connect with other supernova human beings to create, collaborate, and celebrate together.
Amanda designs and produces bespoke immersive events, workshops, retreats, festivals, and short films that showcase people all over the world stepping into their own power and kickstarting themselves out of whatever rut they might be in by dancing and singing in public, talking about failure, and more. She believes that by building up global communities and amplifying each others’ stories we can make the world a more joyful and extraordinary place.