Making Old Content New: How I Learned to Repurpose Knowledge for Creative Strength

It Wasn’t Always This Easy

My notebooks were overflowing. Every lecture, article, podcast — anything that sparked a thought — became a meticulously captured note. I prided myself on being a sponge, soaking up information like a thirsty plant.

But there was a problem…

My meticulously organized notes became a cluttered attic.

It was a treasure trove of facts, figures, and quotes, but inspiration was nowhere to be found.

I craved originality, the ability to weave those disparate pieces of knowledge into something new. Yet, staring at my bulging notebooks only fueled frustration

I Remember that time I had to present a research paper on the history of coffee in college

Weeks were spent compiling data on its origins, cultivation, and global trade routes. The presentation was well-received, but afterward, the information just… evaporated.

It wasn’t until much later, when wrestling with a creative rut, that I revisited those notes.

This time, something shifted. I wasn’t just summarizing facts; I was looking for connections. “Could the complex supply chain of coffee beans be a metaphor for the flow of ideas?” I…