The Artist’s Way Week 2 Recap
As I mentioned in my last post, I hit a few roadblocks as it relates to my creative endeavors. I complicated my posting by trying to force an arbitrary themed schedule that wasn’t really fitting into the challenge. It felt like putting a square peg in a round hole-forcing something that just wasn’t clicking together.
Lesson learned. I have since realigned my priorities to be focused on breaking free from my perfectionism. It no longer matters what I post or how I post, just as long as I post. Also-my thoughts and musings aren’t that revolutionary.
By posting everyday-the good, the bad, and the ugly-I’m doing the thing that I set off to do, showing up for myself by creating. As mentioned yesterday, by showing up for myself, I am responding to God’s call for my life, showing up for Him.
Week 2 of The Artist’s Way: Recovering a Sense of Identity; was also a bust. I did most of my morning pages, didn’t do any of the tasks or other creative activities I had planned, including my Artist/Creative Date. I ended up going to Central Park for an afternoon of reading in the sun. It wasn’t an intentional Artist/Creative date but it did work out in the end.
With a renewed sense of purpose, I’m buzzing with ideas for my next creations. I’ve been working on a video putting together the pictures and video that I’ve gathered together on my first solo cruise this last February. I’ve been thinking about doing a podcast version of a post to see what kind of engagement I may get. Not to mention, all the other writings and thoughts I want to share with you all.
Although I’m buzzing with anticipation as I was on Day 1, I also have learned that it is not about the end product. This challenge is about the process.
Recently, checking in on a friend of mine, she informed me that she was thinking about me due to a book she is currently reading “Find Your Union Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World” by Eve Rodsky. My friend complimented me by pointing out that I’m good at tapping into my creativity but she struggles with hers.
Many struggle with tapping into their creativity, especially when faced with life transitions and/or identity changes. For some, they put their creativity down with the intention of returning to it when life calms down, only to realize it hasn’t been picked up in years. For others, like myself, they tend to lean into their creativity when life feels like its falling apart. Creativity provides a sense of being grounded and connected with God.
For my friend though, her barriers weren’t so much about finding time or motivation, it was finding purpose in the doing. It was the idea of reallocating financial resources to support her creativity. It was the idea of having a house full of creative making stuff that would enviably gather dust.
All barriers I can empathize with. In assisting her, I coached her on trying to reframe the point of being creative. Its an opportunity to pour back into yourself. Instead of thinking about it as a single project, using terms such as “creative therapy” would be helpful in showing her the importance of being creative-the process. We typically don’t think twice about going to the doctor, so why can’t we look at our creativity the same way. Most of us are walking around with sick, downtrodden creative souls, that are impeding on our daily lives but because we are so used to autopilot, we’ve started to believe “this is just how it is”. We’ve lost our ability to ask, “what’s possible”?
Anything is possible when you have your priorities straight. Barriers such as financial resources, stuff, or the end product are no longer barriers when you start to think creatively about them. Instead of feeling like you need to go out to buy brand new supplies, why not look around your home and see what is readily available. I remember in high school for an art project, we had to come up with making a scuplture and I found old prescription bottles, colorful ace bandage wraps, and other medical supplies from my mom working in a medical clinic. I created two lovers tangled together by each of their dogs and called it along the lines of “Chemical Romance” or “A Prescription for Love”. (Yes, these were the days of My Chemical Romance). was Either way, I was able to create something different and fun with the random materials I had on hand. No spending money was necessary.
Today, we also have great access to technology through both our handheld devices and computers. We take so many pictures of random things throughout our lives, why not create a wall calendar, or a photo album, or greeting cards to send out to your friends and family and regale the tales of yore? I use CANVA for pretty much anything and everything. I’ve used it for making things that didn’t really serve a purpose but to teach myself on how to make that thing. I didn’t feel the pressure to have it perfect so I was able to mess around in the project and see where it took me! Again it was about enjoying the process more than the end result.
It wouldn’t be a creative post if I didn’t shout out my public library and local art and cultural institutions. The library is not just a place to find books-its also a place to find new ideas, connections, and creativity through their creative community meet ups or classes they may host. If you have an idea for a gathering, why not pitch the idea to your local library if they would be willing to provide you the space. It could be a great way to meet others while also tapping into your own creativity. Local art museums are also a fantastic option for providing creative outlets. All of them have educational departments where they host and provide access about all types of creativity. Their programs range from toddler to senior citizen; mostly free to access or free with museum admission.
Finally, find out if your city/town has a reuse craft store. They are a great resource when it comes to finding crafting supplies on the cheap and snooping around the shop may even provide you with some creative energy that you need to jumpstart the doing!
As Julia Cameron states, “You will learn to enjoy the process of being a creative channel and to surrender your need to control the result. You will discover the joy of practicing your creativity. The process, not the product, will become your focus.”
A perfect example of focusing on the process and not on the product would be the ancient art form that Tibetan Buddhist monks do when making sand mandalas. After days of intense focus and meditation of creating intricate designs, using multiple different sand colors and various funnel sizes, they ultimately create a moment of beauty only for it to be swept away to signify the impermanence of life.
Our creativity is like that, because our lives are like that.
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. -James 4:14
Don’t let the creative barriers hold you back. Go out and do!
