Most people's intuitions are drowned out by folk sayings. We have a moment of real feeling or insight, and then we come up with a folk saying that captures the insight in a kind of wash. The intuition may be real and ripe, fresh with possibilities, but the folk saying is guaranteed to be a cliche, stale and self-contained.
In her book "Bird by Bird," Anne Lamott discusses how individuals often let traditional sayings overshadow their true feelings and insights. When a person experiences a genuine moment of understanding, they may inadvertently rely on a well-known saying that simplifies or commodifies that insight. This process can dilute the richness of the original thought.
Lamott emphasizes that while these folk sayings may offer a form of comfort or familiarity, they ultimately transform unique experiences into clichéd expressions lacking depth. As a result, meaningful intuitions become lost in the wash of overused phrases, rendering them stale and limiting personal growth and expression.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
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