#19 | when the pressure pushes creativity
the balance between creativity and deadlines - Twitter banned in Brazil, Reels on the rise & AI tools to keep you creative
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💡 If listening to music helps you focus, you can listen while reading:
BRAZILIAN LoFi 🇧🇷 lofi / jazz / samba / bossa / funk / hip hop 🎧 LOFI RADIO
There’s a unique rush that comes with an approaching deadline, isn’t there? That mix of anxiety with a dash of panic, where you’re not creating from inspiration but out of sheer necessity. For a long time, I leaned on that — the pressure seemed to sharpen my focus or, at the very least, push me to create even when I wasn’t “feeling it.”
"I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by." - Douglas Adams
Why do I only get around to doing what I’ve been putting off all day when I realise time’s running out? It’s not sustainable — nor healthy. There’s a lot to unpack here… but for now, there’s something to be learned from this pattern.
When the clock’s ticking, I’m forced to let go of a lot. There’s no time for overthinking. The perfectionism that usually holds me back suddenly disappears. In its place comes clarity — that sharp focus on what really matters. What needs to be done. There’s no room for procrastination when faced with a deadline; it demands action and simplicity.
But here’s the issue: living in this cycle of pressure and procrastination is exhausting. It’s stressful, draining, and often prevents me from doing my best work. So how can we avoid getting to that point while still being productive?
Here are a few things that have worked for me:
Start before you’re “ready” – Instead of waiting for the pressure, I’ve been trying to start projects before I feel “inspired” or “prepared.” Even a small step makes a difference.
Create fake deadlines – Setting smaller, internal deadlines can simulate the urgency of real ones, but without the stress. Break the project into parts and set a timeline for each phase.
Embrace imperfection – Perfectionism often paralyses us. Practicing the mindset that “done is better than perfect” gives you permission to start creating, and that’s always the beginning.
Use deadlines as a tool, not a crutch – The pressure of deadlines can be a good motivator at times, but you can’t rely on it all the time. When the deadline is real, use the focus it gives you. When it isn’t, challenge yourself to create with the same focus.
Reflect on procrastination – Understanding why you procrastinate is key. Are you avoiding a task because it seems too difficult? Or are you just waiting for the pressure to hit? Reflecting on these patterns can help you make adjustments and create a more balanced routine.
"Don’t wait. The time will never be just right. Start where you are and work with whatever tools you have at your command. Better tools will be found as you go along." - Napoleon Hill
The urgency of a deadline can certainly push us forward, but we don’t need to wait until it’s about to blow up to start acting. While pressure can give us that instant focus, true balance is found in consistency and planning.
The more we channel that energy, which usually only shows up at the last minute, into our daily routines, the less dependent we become on pressure. This way, we can create with more quality while preserving our well-being.
And I think that’s always the goal.
✨ For Inspiration! Things I’ve come across...
→ I’ve been listening to this a lot
→ Everyone carries some regret (in portuguese)
→ A slow, quiet writing day 🖋️☁️
⭐ Twitter (X) Banned in Brazil – Another Controversy Unfolds...
X, formerly Twitter, has always had a knack for creating controversy. I’ve shared quite a bit about it here in the newsletter, including my process of deleting my account and breaking free from the platform.
In the last edition, I mentioned the newsletter from CR_IA and Debbie Corrano, which brilliantly covered how Elon Musk decided to integrate Flux with X’s AI. The result? Within hours, as Debbie mentioned, X was flooded with bizarre images:
Trump doing drugs, Kamala Harris nearly naked (even though explicit nudity is supposedly banned by Grok), both flying a plane towards the Twin Towers, Disney princesses holding guns in front of the Israeli flag, and even Hillary Clinton doing a striptease. A true horror show.
Now, X has been banned in Brazil for failing to meet the Supreme Federal Court’s (STF) deadline to appoint a new legal representative in the country. As a result, X has been offline for a few days now… Even the prime-time news programme Jornal Nacional stopped mentioning Twitter and now promotes the profile on Bluesky (Bluesky slogan: “Social media as it should be.” 👀🤣).
If X were a person, they’d definitely be the influencer who thrives on controversy to stay relevant. But what’s truly striking here is the realisation that social media platforms like X are not just entertainment venues; they’re powerful tools of influence in the real world.
If you want to dive deeper into this topic, I recommend this read (in Portuguese - but you can use the translator!) that explains the complexity of the situation. After all, the X case goes far beyond just another social network; it’s a battle of power, influence, money, and much more.
From a strategic perspective for those working with social media, I feel that X is losing its relevance and purpose for businesses. While it still makes headlines for its controversies, the type of content that gets traction there aligns with the owner’s philosophy — creating a toxic environment that’s less appealing to brands that value strong, well-defined ethics. Many companies and individuals who don’t align with this behaviour can no longer tolerate the platform.
Strategically, X is becoming a less attractive option for businesses looking for authenticity and positive engagement with their audience. It’s also becoming more difficult to work with — for example, you now need a premium account just to access basic metrics.
If, like me, you’re seeking more balanced spaces to connect and build authentic relationships with your audience, X might no longer be worth your time investment.
⭐ Social Media | Reels Are Still Thriving – Like It or Not!
Short Reels with text on the screen are everywhere, and let’s be honest — while many aren’t fans, we can’t deny they’re easy to make and trending for a reason.
Whether on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts, these short videos are valuable for quickly reaching new people. It might not be everyone’s favourite format, but if you're not using them, you're missing out on a simple way to grow your presence.
And the best part: you don’t even have to appear on camera! Faceless Reels with Text on the Screen allow you to share your message or showcase your products without pressure. They are clear, visually appealing, and perfect for capturing attention.
Start scrolling through your feed, save some inspirations and start to create!
If you need help, check out my new product “Text-On-Screen Faceless Reel Templates for Authors, Businesses & Content Creators | 42 Editable Reels Canva Designs for Social Media Content” and don’t forget to use the code NEWSLETTER to get a 10% discount as a thank-you gift for reading my newsletter.
🤖 AI Tools for Overcoming Creative Blocks:
When creative block strikes, it can be frustrating staring at a blank screen, not knowing where to start. Luckily, AI tools are here to help unlock creativity and give that much-needed push. Here are some tips on how to use these tools effectively:
ChatGPT and writing assistants – When you can’t develop an idea or need inspiration, tools like ChatGPT can be your allies. Try typing an outline of what you want to write and ask for suggestions to continue, or even related theme ideas. AI can suggest paths you may not have considered.
MidJourney or DALL·E – If the block is visual, using AI image generation tools like MidJourney or DALL·E can help create visual references, even if you don’t have a concrete idea in mind. Visualising concepts can spark new ideas for design or even narrative development.
Notion AI – Notion was already an amazing tool for keeping things organised, and with AI integrated, it got even better. You can use it to generate quick ideas, summarise complex texts, or even suggest structures for articles and projects. Notion’s AI also helps identify patterns, organise thoughts, suggest ways to unlock your creativity and so much more.
Frase.io and Jasper – These writing assistants focused on marketing and content can help generate quick ideas for headlines, product descriptions, or even blogs. Often, a simple word or phrase can unlock your creativity and lead you to new insights.
Integrating these tools into your creative process is a great way to avoid getting stuck on a single path. They offer inspiration, quick solutions, and, above all, a fresh perspective on looking at the problem.
📢 Latest Updates on My Social Media
On the Blog → Reels: The Game-Changer for Your Social Media + Text-On-Screen and Faceless Reels
Instagram (we’re back with Feed posts!) → What to do when you don’t know what to post & Snapshots from the past few weeks 📸✨ 20-pic carousel
New Etsy template → 42 Editable Reels Canva Designs
If you want to check my links → My book (: • Instagram • TikTok • Etsy
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Until next time,
With love,
Amanda Oliveira-Telò
My book (: • Instagram • TikTok • Etsy