Meaning: This quote by Robert Musil, the Austrian writer, offers a glimpse into the creative process of an artist. Musil is expressing the idea that the tumultuous thoughts and emotions from his past, which he refers to as his "emotionally so disturbed days," must be revisited and reexamined in order to be transformed and expanded upon. He acknowledges that there are fragments of his past thoughts and remarks that may still hold relevance and value, but he insists that they should only be incorporated into his work if they capture his attention once more.

In this quote, Musil seems to be emphasizing the importance of introspection and self-reflection as integral parts of the creative process. He recognizes the significance of mining his own experiences, even those that may have been emotionally challenging or unsettling, as a means to further develop his creative ideas. This sentiment underscores the notion that personal experiences and emotions can serve as wellsprings of inspiration for artists, allowing them to delve into their own psychological landscapes to unearth material for their work.

Furthermore, Musil's reference to the need for his ideas to "find [his] attention again" suggests a dynamic and evolving relationship with his own creative impulses. He seems to imply that the thoughts and musings from his past are not static or fixed, but rather subject to a continual process of rediscovery and reinterpretation. This aligns with the notion that creativity is often a nonlinear and iterative journey, where ideas resurface and evolve over time, gaining new layers of meaning and significance.

Robert Musil is best known for his monumental and unfinished novel, "The Man Without Qualities," which is celebrated for its intricate exploration of the human psyche and its incisive critique of the societal and political milieu of the early 20th century. Musil's own struggles with his creative process and the complexities of the human mind are thought to have informed his writing, and this quote offers a glimpse into the inner workings of his creative mind.

In the context of literary and artistic creation, Musil's words serve as a reminder of the value of embracing one's own inner turmoil and emotional complexity as potential sources of creative energy. It suggests that the most profound and resonant artistic expressions often emerge from a place of introspection and emotional authenticity, as artists grapple with their own inner worlds and seek to give voice to their experiences.

Ultimately, Musil's quote encapsulates the idea that the raw material of an artist's work is often drawn from the depths of their own emotional landscape, and that the process of revisiting and reworking these inner experiences is essential for the evolution and maturation of creative ideas. It speaks to the enduring relevance of the artist's internal journey as a wellspring of inspiration and insight, and highlights the transformative power of harnessing one's own emotional turmoil as a catalyst for artistic expression.