In my last blog post I shared ways to make sure you have time for your creative self-care practice. We looked at some of the practical solutions to barriers that block creative practice. Without setting up your external environment properly it is too easy to fall back into old patterns of neglecting your creativity. Today we will look at some of the psychological barriers that present themselves when trying to sustain a viable creative practice.

Some common psychological barriers to establishing a creative practice stem from the way we think about art and creative process in general.  For many of us we have picked up messages along the way from others important to us and sometimes through the incessant rantings of the media as to what “true art” entails. In order to uncover the thoughts or messages that may be blocking  our creative practice we need to take a closer look at a few things.

Explore the Language you use to describe your creative process

Language can be oh so powerful. I’m sure you have all heard of the comparison between saying “glass half full” rather than “glass half empty”. Language can reveal the perspective that we take on something, whether we see it as important, impossible, or not appropriate for example. Think of times you have put off your creative practice. Was it because something else was deemed to be more important? Was it because you think of your art making as frivolous? Or maybe you see it as special time for yourself. While I wouldn’t disagree that art making is special, sometimes this can be a setup: “special” could imply that we just do it occasionally, it is not a necessity. But if art making is something you enjoy, and you are looking to feel more fulfilled in your life, then why keep it as a once in a while special treat?

Do you believe that art making is only for professional artists?

How do you define art?

Is there room in your definition for your own creative process?

Do you see art making as a necessary part of your life or as the icing on the cake, something extra but not needed?

Identify messages that are blocking your process

Another barrier that often gets in the way of creative practice is messages from the past. Sometimes things others have said stay in our head and feed worry about taking time for art making. Perhaps we were told that art making is for the “talented”, or maybe we shared our art with someone who was less than interested or who’s words were experienced as non-supportive.  These early messages or perspectives collected along the way can have a way of influencing how we view our art. Often just one discouraging comment from a trusted other or person of “authority” can be enough to make us avoid art making, the underlying message being that we are not good-enough at art or we are not artists.  We are all creative beings however, we don’t have to make a living as a professional artist in order to make art.  We certainly don’t have to be a professional artists in order to benefit from art making.

I’m not an artist

Replace unhelpful messages with helpful ones

Once you have identified the main message or messages that have held you back from accessing your creativity, the next step is addressing the underlying message or false truth which you have been carrying with you.  Our inner critics arise out of messages from the past and challenge us usually with an intention to protect us.  The doubtful questioning or nay-saying we might experiences can be our way of making sure we play it safe.  Perhaps last time we took a risk and shared our art we were hurt somehow. Avoiding making more or putting our all into art-making can feel less threatening. Our inner critics role is to help us maintain a position that is safe. The inner critic therefore is acting from a place of good intention.  If we look at it this way, it is easier to engage the inner critic from a stance of compassion. Once we uncover the false truths our inner critic have been telling us to protect us we can begin to replace these with a Truth that supports creative process.  What are the messages you need to hear to counter the outdated messages from past hurts? What do you need to hear instead to support your creative process? This could be anything from art making makes me feel good, I enjoy art making, my art is an extension of who I am, art making is a way for me to unwind, etc.

I don’t have the time . . .It’s not important enough . . . I have other priorities,

Treat your creative process with importance 

Make a list of why having a creative practice is important to you:

• art helps me to relax
• art making makes me feel good
• art-making connects me with my inner wisdom
• art-making helps me sort through thoughts and emotions
• art making is a mindfulness practice for me
• art-making  . .  . fill in the blank

Establishing a ritual around your creative time can help with set the right frame of mind for viewing your art-making as an essential part of your day.   As we talked about in the last blog post making sure that you have a dedicated space to create in is a start.  But next we need to reinforce the importance of our creative time by blocking off time  for creative practice. Doing this signals the brain that you are taking your creative practice seriously just as you would other appointments you set up for yourself such as a doctor’s appointment.  This is where it is very individual, some people find it helpful to set aside daily time (as one would for meditation or exercise) others find it helpful to set a larger block of time aside weekly. Whatever works for your creative process.  The main thing is that you consider this time set aside for your art making as sacred; a time just for you.  Of course creating in groups, virtual or in person is always an option as well and may hold you to the principles of sticking to an appointment more consistently.

Permission

Essentially it is about giving yourself permission to have a creative process. However, that can be easier said than done. If we do not see ourselves worthy of having permission to create then we will not take it.  If we do not see the need to have a creative practice then there will be no need to seek permission. Whatever the block to getting started is, there is always a way around it. So called “creative blocks” can reveal important information to us and how we approach the world. Creative practice can help us explore these ways of being and shift us into new ways of interacting with the world.