Our topic for our Creativity Conversations Circle in March was all about Long Haul Creativity, and the real toll that a creative life can have on artists (in all industries).
Here are the cliff notes from our live, interactive discussion in the Zoom Studio…
Brenda posed the question to the group: “Creativity is not all calm and ease, so why do we keep doing it? Why do we even have a need to make and create? Especially for the long haul?”
The topic was inspired by an article by writer Steven Kotler. (Read the article here.)
To kick off the discussion, we read this excerpt from Kotler’s article.
Kotler is ‘less interested in exploring the day-to-day puzzle of making something out of nothing and more about the … mystery of how to do this over a lifetime.’
Furthermore “being creative …involves a whole subset of nearly invisible skills’ and that ‘being creative is different to the business of being creative.’
He splits the aspects of being creative into:
Attention – Laser Focus
Imagination – Mind Wondering
Salience – New Inspiration
Our discussion brainstormed low grade activities where the mind can wonder and take a break (Imagination Wondering) – gardening, swimming, walking, dancing, staring into the fire, staring at the waves of the sea or the clouds in the sky, doodling, music, dance, yoga, showering, housework, a long trip driving, cooking, treadmill, swimming laps and dishes.
Brenda reminded us of the concept of What you Resist is leading you to your edge!
We spoke briefly about the difference between creative work and creative play and the ‘pressure of being productive, being creative, making something.
Jo shared that sometimes she spends too much time thinking about the doing, than the doing and getting started. But once she makes a start, it seems to flow and it’s fun and she wanders why she kept putting off the starting.
Brenda likes to start new projects as she welcomes in the blank page as an invitation to see what will arrive. She has more issues with when to stop. (But it wasn’t always that way for her.)
Wendy has a starting block, and will procrastinate on the blank page, it brings anxiety.
Katrina is no longer afraid of the beginning a project and rather sees it as exciting but can often have a few too many projects on the go at one time.
Some questions Brenda posed to the group:
- Have you felt the tiring effects of Creativity in your life?
- Why do we continue to feel an urge/need to Create?
- Does being Creative satisfy you?
- What other activities satisfy you in a similar way?
- Is there a Dopamine fix?
- How do you fuel your Creativity?
- How can we reframe something that is Creatively hard to do?
Edie shared that imagination could make the mundane fun.
Jo shared that travel is stimulating for her, the adventure.
Wendy shared that looking for inspiration and travel are her fuels and that doing those things make her part of a bigger creative community which she belongs to.
Rick Rueben speaks about the ‘unseen world’ and the ‘mysteries of creativity’.
Brenda posed this question to us: What feelings does Creativity , and experiencing creative things like exhibitions or music shows etc, evoke for us?
We came up with as a group the following:
Wonder, Not Knowing, Elated, Re-charged, Uplifted, Excited, Emotional, Curiosity.
Malia shared that in her childhood exploring nature, ferns, forests brought a burst of energy, that this type of exploration where she got lost in nature was lots of fun for her.
Do we schedule our Creativity?
Edie says she gets easily distracted but when there is a big deadline, she works nonstop like crazy to not miss it.
Malia likes to schedule Creative time on the weekends when she is not working and can be present.
Jenny said that developing a habit and trusting herself to create is important. It’s a muscle that needs to be flexid.
The big question is Why do we keep Creating if it brings anxiety?
Are we choosing to be Creative?
OR are we Chosen?
Angela shared that there is something so satisfying about creating, solving a problem, even if the outcome is different to what was expected.
Jenny admitted that making Art can be painful, but that she must do it.
Edie also feels like she must do it, like it’s a part off a limb on her body.
Brenda believes Creating is as necessary as breath,
Wendy admitted that she is fighting her creativity right now, even though she feels like she must do it – she does not want to right now! Brenda reminded her of “Where the resistance is, we need to go…” So, if there is Freedom in Creating for ourselves, then why do I resist it? Why do I not run into it with open arms?
This is Steve Kotler’s whole point about freedom, that’s its hard, it’s not safe and our brains crave safety.
And this, my friends,was the starting point for April’s Creativity Conversation.
If we love creating, and we want to, or need to, then why do sometimes resist the creative impulse?
Do you have those times when you have everything ready and waiting, and yet, some part of you stops you from doing what you really want to do. What is that part of you? What emotions are underneath the ‘stopping’ you?
To your creative journey,
with love always,
Brenda and Wendy
ps. Creativity Connversations is no longer hosted monthly. We will send out an email when we feel the urge for Talk Time – so be sure you’re on the mailing list. Sign up below.
