The Art of "Brewing and Chewing"
Practicing Patience in the Creative Process
When I started working on my PhD, I had no idea how much time it really takes to produce high-quality work. I used to think I could complete tasks quickly, like creating a table to display data or drafting the outline of a manuscript. “Oh, this will take an hour after lunch,” I’d tell myself—only to look up hours later, realizing the sun had set, and I was far from finished. Time and time again, I underestimated how much effort and mental energy were required to do things well.
Even as I worked on my dissertation, I kept convincing myself I’d meet my deadlines even unrealistic ones. But high-quality work takes time—often much more than we expect. I’ve learned that if your goal is to create something excellent—a paper, a piece of art, or even a routine/strategy—you need to create space for brewing and chewing.
The idea of brewing and chewing is simply about sitting with your ideas, and allowing adequate time for development and refinement.
This realization was transformative for me. I’ve come to see writing and presenting as the purest forms of manifestation in my life. When I completed my PhD research, I knew I had done great work. I didn’t need external validation because I had given myself the time to refine my ideas, think critically, and practice. This made me realize that confidence comes from investing time in the process.
The Difference Between “Good” and “Great”
Here’s the truth: rushed work is less than great. If your goal is excellence—and for me, it always is—you have to give yourself the time to develop your ideas. This can apply to any area of life where you want to establish something meaningful for example, creative pursuits, relationships, teaching, art, or even something as seemingly simple as writing an important email.
When you allow your work to brew, you give yourself space to grow. It’s in that quiet, solitary time that the real work happens. It’s a you-versus-you battle to figure out what you’re trying to say, to wrestle with your thoughts, and to shape them into something tangible.
This time of development is where greatness is built. It’s when the award-winning researcher, the inspiring artist, or the compassionate teacher is made—not in the final product, but in the process.
Respecting the Process
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to respect the time it takes to produce high-quality work. This means valuing the moments when you’re thinking deeply, experimenting with ideas, and figuring out how to bring them to life. For me, clarity often comes during a run, while staring at my computer screen, or even in the middle of the night.
Whatever your process looks like, embrace it. Find the spaces where you can connect with yourself and transform the intangible thoughts in your mind into something real. Writing, art, or any other creative endeavor is about turning nothing into something—and the quality of that “something” reflects the thoughts and care you’ve poured into it.
Choosing Greatness Over Rushed Success
When you rush, you cheat yourself of greatness. Even if you meet the deadline, get the A, or finish the project, you know deep down it could have been better. By giving yourself the time to brew and chew, you not only create better work but also contribute to better science, art, and ideas that can make a real difference in the world.
Looking back, I wish I had known this when I started my PhD. But now that I do, I approach writing, presenting, and creating with a newfound respect for the process. I’ve learned to value the time it takes to think, develop, and refine—and to connect with the ideas that live in my mind until they’re ready to be shared with the world.
Whatever you’re working on—a book, a presentation, a relationship, or a piece of art—remember this: greatness takes time. Give yourself permission to brew, chew, and grow. And remember to be patient with others who also have to navigate the creative process in their own unique way.
That’s all for now,
Asiah R.