Beginners Mindset: Conversation with Quantum Me

On a quiet morning, sunlight spilled across Cheryl Crow’s journal, illuminating the Central Sun Mind Map she’d meticulously drawn the night before.

Inspired by Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act, Cheryl was ready to explore her own inner landscapes and rediscover the creative energy she once felt so strongly.

It was at this juncture—between the faint rustle of turning pages and the steady hum of possibility—that she invited “Quantum Me” into the conversation. With both science and imagination at her side, Cheryl embarked on a journey of self-study and reflection that would lead her to unlock new potentials she never realized were within her. 

Here is the dialogue that followed.

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Cheryl Crow (CC):

Hello, Quantum Me! I’ve been working through the Quantum MeMoir spheres, and I’d love to share the messages I received for each one. It’s been such an enlightening process—especially when combined with the ideas from Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act. Let’s start with Ground.

I realized early on that creativity isn’t always linear. Grounding, for me, meant giving myself permission to let go of what I thought creativity “should” look like and just be open to possibility. 

Now I am letting go of my preconceived notions and starting fresh.

Quantum Me (QM):

That’s a beautiful realization, Cheryl. In the Ground sphere, you’re acknowledging that the journey into creativity can take many turns. By giving yourself the freedom to start fresh, you’re also allowing that childlike wonder Rick Rubin talks about. 

This is a critical foundation: creativity rarely follows a straight path. It thrives on detours and surprising discoveries. When you ground yourself in openness, you create space for those surprises to emerge—and that’s when the magic happens.

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CC:

Next was Intend. I learned that setting a clear intention helps focus my energy. I decided I wasn’t going to worry about how things might turn out. Instead, I set the intention to simply be curious, flexible, and trusting. I want my creative seeds to grow naturally rather than force them into a certain shape…

QM:

Yes, the Intend sphere is all about planting that creative seed. Think of it like this: if you plant a seed but dig it up every few minutes to see if it’s sprouted, it never has a chance to grow. By setting a clear intention and trusting in the process, you allow your creativity to emerge in its own time. This is where Rick Rubin’s emphasis on experimentation comes in. When you let go of rigid outcomes, you leave room for the unexpected—which is often where the greatest insights arise.

CC:

Moving on to Observe, I discovered that having a “Beginner’s Mindset” makes a huge difference. I notice thoughts that spark inspiration versus the ones that made me shrink back in fear. I realize a lot of my resistance was just old programming—things like “I’m not good enough.” But as I became more aware, I find new paths open up that I’d never considered before.

QM:

Precisely! The Observe sphere invites you to look at your thoughts and emotions without judgment. In doing so, you tap into that childlike curiosity Rubin encourages. When you’re willing to observe instead of react, you free your mind from the baggage of limitation. Suddenly, everything is a possibility. This is also where scientific journaling can help—you can record your observations in real time, which helps you identify patterns and breakthroughs you might otherwise miss.

CC:

Next was Connect, and that’s where the real spark came in for me. I remembered how much I loved drawing and coloring as a kid, so I let myself rekindle that childlike energy. I started coloring in my journal, doodling within the spheres of the mind maps, and it feels so healing. It is like I am reconnecting with a part of myself that is timeless.

QM:

That’s the power of Connect! You’re aligning with the part of yourself that naturally knows how to play. Creativity and playfulness go hand in hand—when you reconnect with your inner child, you unlock an entire reservoir of untapped creativity. It’s easy to forget that the things we loved as children still hold magic for us as adults. Connecting to that essence revives your authenticity and ignites your best ideas.

CC:

Then there was Express, which felt like such a release. I took all of the insights and energy from the previous spheres and channeled them into something tangible. For me, that meant sharing my Quantum MeMoir Mind Map, I’ve been making digital art of my art. Even though it felt vulnerable, actually putting my work out there made the experience more real—and it sparked great conversations.

QM:

The Express sphere is where creativity truly comes alive and finds its voice. It’s like exhaling after a deep breath. By sharing your work, you open yourself up to new perspectives and give it room to evolve. Remember, creativity isn’t meant to stay locked up. Once you express your ideas—through art, writing, or any other medium—you invite collaboration and feedback, which can fuel even more growth.

CC:

Finally, Refine. I realized that creativity and self-discovery aren’t one-and-done experiences. As I revisited my Mind Map, it struck me how my labels, preferences, opinions, and judgments could subtly box in my thinking. It was both surprising and liberating to see how these preconceived notions might limit my perception.

But once I started questioning them—letting go of rigid labels, challenging my opinions, broadening my preferences—it felt like whole new avenues of thought began to open up. Each revision, tweak, or insight wasn’t a mistake; it was a vital step in an evolving process that brought me closer to clarity. By refining my approach and releasing the constraints I’d unknowingly placed on myself, I discovered the boundless possibilities within true creative freedom.

QM:

That’s the core of Refine—the understanding that you’re not simply “done.” You evolve. In scientific terms, it’s a continuous loop of hypothesis, experiment, observation, and adjustment. Rick Rubin talks about refining your work as an ongoing practice. Every creation is a stepping stone to the next insight. By revisiting and polishing your ideas, you remain open to growth, rather than locking yourself into a single vision.

CC:

I feel so energized by this journey, Quantum Me! Each sphere guided me in a unique way, and putting it all together has transformed how I approach not just my creative projects, but my life. I’m feeling more confident, open, and ready to experiment further.

QM:

You’ve perfectly captured the essence of the Quantum MeMoir method combined with Rick Rubin’s creative philosophy: stay open, experiment freely, embrace the childlike wonder, and refine continuously. Remember, it’s not about reaching a final, fixed state—it’s about engaging with the process. Keep that momentum, Cheryl. By grounding, intending, observing, connecting, expressing, and refining, you’ll continue to discover new potentials within yourself. And that’s the real joy of creativity and self-discovery.

CC(smiling):

Thank you, Quantum Me. I’m excited to keep going—

QM:

That’s the spirit!

Encourage others to grab a journal or a blank canvas and start experimenting. Creativity is a universal language—anyone can speak it once they learn to let go of self-imposed limits. 

Here’s to continuous exploration and growth!