Peggy M. Riemer, author of The Rebel Creator’s Playbook
One of my favorite quotes is by Henri Matisse: “Creativity requires courage.” When we are inspired by a new creative direction or project, we don’t always consider the most difficult aspects of building a creative life. It can be very confusing to find yourself struggling despite doing something you care about.
Creative work is hard. The ability to start a creative project, keep working even when you feel unfocused, and develop small practices that promote consistency is a challenge. Creation is both a practical mission and a spiritual journey.
Engaging in creative work means both making something tangible and delving into our inner lives to create from a place within us that makes that work possible. I think it’s possible to just create something and send it out into the world, but then you’re missing out on the essential aspects of an artistic, creative life. It is meant to exist on a deeper level.
know yourself
Engaging in creative work is an invitation to truly know yourself. The inner job is to make sure your values are aligned with your work. Creative work is often a process of overcoming blocks that we all experience, such as doubt and perfectionism. Rather than seeing blocks as obstacles, we can reframe them as invitations to explore deeper into the message they are asking us to explore.
Usually behind the block is an inner voice, a critic, or feelings of impostor syndrome. We can learn how to transform that voice from a critic to a guide.
We should all aspire to speak to ourselves the same way we would speak to a close friend. What comments would you share to encourage others to reframe the harsh message? Perhaps it’s time to start talking to yourself with the same voice.
Practical considerations
Overcoming creative blocks also requires an honest assessment of your work habits and systems. Breaking down the components of your process into micropractices can help you identify if there are things you can adapt to make your work life more productive.
Looking at your creative space and organizing, removing, or adding elements that help you focus is another small thing that can help you focus and create a comfortable work environment.
build your own tribe
Nothing makes life more difficult than trying to create something alone. Even if your creative pursuits are lonely, others can provide support and connections that can help sustain your creative life.
Creative work very often causes feelings of jealousy and a disdainful attitude from some people, and that’s a shame. More importantly, we also have a community of like-minded creators who welcome the opportunity to share your journey just as they share theirs with you.
One of the bravest steps you can take as a creator is to share your ideas and experiences. Building a tribe around your work, even if it feels uncomfortable at first as an exercise, is as much a gift to others as it is a gift to stabilize and enrich yourself.
ask for permission
Another creative block often comes from having to ask for permission. This is actually the tension between seeking approval and trusting yourself. We are all very vulnerable in this regard. The more you value something, the more you want others to acknowledge it.
This allows us to know ourselves and clearly understand our values and why they are important to us. If you operate within your values and know that your work is in line with your values, the permission you need can only come from yourself, not from anyone else – family, friends, teachers, co-workers, critics, social media connections, etc.
Your creative block has its own story
Whatever is holding you back, whether it’s the practical elements of your work or the soul-level aspects, is uniquely yours. Blocks can also reflect your particular life situation. Although blocks can be experienced by multiple people alike, they are not a common problem. Creative block is a personal signal. It reflects what is happening in your inner world.
Listen to what this creative block wants. Here are three questions to help you find the answer.
- What is the root of the block (sadness, fatigue, fear)?
- Let Brock talk to you. Perhaps you could journal or think about questions such as:
- What blocks will protect me?
- What do you need now?
- Choose one microaction, a small step, that matches your answer. You can take a 5-minute break or brainstorm before starting the actual work.
in Rebel Creator’s PlaybookExplore 10 principles for building a creative life learned from the forefront of theater and filmmaking. Each principle has both a practical side and a more internal, thoughtful side. Most creative blocks also have this dual nature. That is, there are concrete everyday problems and a deeper, often spiritual, layer. Being aware of both levels and learning to work through them is an important part of moving beyond creative blocks.
Source: Spiritual Media Blog – www.spiritualmediablog.com
