7 Things Sapping Your Creativity Right Now
By Linda Dessau
This was a very easy article to write. I was late
in getting started this month, and as my publication deadline got
closer and I could no longer wait until I “felt” like writing an article,
I was forced to sit down and do it.
In doing it, I thought about the last month (when
I meant to be getting started on this as well as other creative projects),
and I identified seven things that have gotten in the way of my creativity.
Maybe you’ll see yourself in some of these.
1. Not getting enough sleep – I noticed
this one the most when I DID finally get a good, long sleep (the night
before writing this, actually). All of a sudden my muse was speaking
to me again (see below for more on that), the day looked positive
and full of promise and I was open to the ideas that are always flowing
around me. And I just plain felt good! Sleep is something I write
and speak a lot about, and it’s still a practice I need to consciously
keep up so I don’t slip back into bad habits.
2. Trying to do it alone – Bouncing
ideas off someone else is invaluable to me. When I stop before I start
(see below), and I don’t consult or collaborate with others, I miss
out on the collective voices that are available to me. Just hearing
my own telling of an idea – reading it aloud or describing it – can
be enough. Any feedback or new ideas is a bonus. If the idea is really
fresh and precious, I may ask the listener not to give feedback, and
let them know I just need a sounding board at this point.
3. Stopping before I start – Not
carrying out my creative projects because of self-doubt, real or imagined
obstacles, perfectionism or generalized fear. When it came to writing
today’s article, I had to “Just Start”.
4. Poverty mentality –It’s very constricting
to be worried about money all the time. I’m doing a lot of reading
and learning about this topic right now – I’m sure I’ll be able to
share more in future issues.
5. A cluttered work/living space
– It’s been over two years since I finished my first major de-cluttering
and it’s time for another one! Exciting! While my living space has
stayed tidy, some clutter (things I don’t need, use or love) has crept
back in and is starting to gnaw at me.
6. Disconnection from my inner wisdom
– When I’m rested and feeling well, I can much more easily tap into
the ideas that are flowing around me. Whether it’s being open to something
useful in an article I’m reading, or just listening for the solution
of that problem I’ve been struggling with for a few days (and really,
it just “came to me”), the answers are there.
7. Disconnection from my body – If
I’d been paying closer attention to my body’s needs, I think I would
have arranged sooner for some nights of extra sleep. I need to listen
to the messages my body is sending me – do I feel nourished by the
food I’m eating (or am I getting hungry too often), am I hydrated
(or do I feel thirsty or light-headed, or is my skin extra-dry)? Am
I showing physical signs of stress – muscle tightness, shallow breathing
or headaches? My body will reward me if I listen to it, use common
sense and give it what it wants.
If you saw yourself in some of these examples, take
heart. Awareness is the most important step for change to take place.
To look in more detail at your self-care habits, take the free quiz
on the “Resources” page of my website.
(c) Copyright 2005, Genuine Coaching Services.
Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, helps artists
enhance their creativity by addressing their unique self-care issues.
If you want to read more about what might be getting in the way of
your creativity, sign-up for the Roadblocks to Creativity e-course
– it's free! And it includes a subscription to Everyday Artist,
Linda's monthly email newsletter. Grab it now by visiting http://www.genuinecoaching.com
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