Believe it or not, I have often grappled with my own creative demons more than I care to admit.  I realize that it may be easy for you, dear reader to assume that because I write about finding and nurturing one’s creative side that I have myself surpassed or completely tamed these struggles.  But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

What we write about and help others with often is the very thing that we ourselves struggle with.  That is true. But I do not profess to have conquered these feats, tamed them yes, but the journey is ongoing.  I am always learning.  I fall. I get up. I begin again.

The things I write about and  create e-courses about, are all created out of  the strivings of those I work with, but also my own inner wrestling.  You see, I am not always delving into my creativity as much as I want to be.  My excuses are not so different: there is not enough time, there’s is better, it won’t turn out.

The thing that keeps me going, that helps me maintain some thread of my creativity on a regular basis is commitment.

Yes I schedule in creative time, but that doesn’t always work, after all I have only myself to answer to and sometimes that is not enough when I am fighting the self -doubt demons.

What helps me then?

Accountability: Committing to a project where someone else is aware of it or is doing it along side me (virtually or not).

Structure: Sometimes I need a plan, a question or directive to focus my creative expression on, this can help me get started.  It may morph into something else but that doesn’t matter.  Ultimately what needs to be expressed of me through the art happens.

Commitment: Signing up for something such as a course or workshop or even going out and buying fresh art materials to work with can help motivate me out of a creative slump.  But beware, art supplies can pile up and become “untouchables” avoided in an effort to appease the inner critics who deem these new supplies too “special”. (See Are You a Closet Artist?) 

Shift of focus: I tell myself I am “just” playing and take the pressure off myself to perform or make art for others (including my inner critic).

Add some newness into the equation:  Trying a new art medium or way of using art materials that I have not tried before can allow my excitement to supersede my trepidation long enough to get me started.  If I am working with materials or methods that I am not familiar with sometimes it is easier to bypass my censors and critics because I approach it knowing that it is an experiment and therefore my expectations on myself are lowered.  Keep in mind however we are all different and trying something new may be the opposite of what you need to stay motivated.

Stick with the familiar:  Same old, same old, is not so bad.  Sometimes it’s just what we need to feel safe enough to create from the heart.  When we are struggling with messages of self-doubt around our creativity there is a lot to be said for hanging on to what you know and feel comfortable with.  Do it long enough to establish a regular creative habit and then eventually you can venture outside your comfort zone.

Repeat often: In order to establish a habit, you need to repeat the behaviour, over and over.  So even if you do a little art everyday it can have more lasting effects in the long run than trying to make art for longer fewer times and less regularly.  My guess is that it is similar to when you exercise regularly and endorphins are released making you want to keep exercising.  When we allow ourselves to make art for ourselves and the pleasure it brings to us, endorphins are likely released as well which over time helps motivate us to establish the habit.  In addition to the endorphins, each time we repeat a behaviour or pattern, we are building synaptic pathways, which make it easier for us to repeat the behaviour. The more we practice our creative practice the more it becomes ingrained it in our psyche.

Would you like to connect with your inner wisdom and creativity though dreamwork and art? Are you ready to work with me?  The next Live Dream Dialogues begins March 25th.