I think of it as an archive and it really helps me creatively to think that way, because sometimes when I get really self-conscious or down on myself for what I’ve made—when I feel like it could have been better—I try to remind myself, “This is just who you are in this moment. You did your best and you committed a certain amount of time to this, and that’s what creative work is.” Like when I wrote my book, after five years of working very diligently, I was so disappointed with the results. I imagined it being this really exceptional thing, and I had landed five steps below where I wanted to be as a writer. Ultimately, I always try to remind myself, “This is just your archive. This is the best you can do at 26. This is the best you can do at 30.”

Muusikko/kirjailija/ohjaaja Michelle Zauner taiteen tekemisestä viime keväänä Interview Magazinessa.