Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Creative Doldrums

I was reading a book a few months ago that talked about the creative ebb and flow. The book, 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women by Gail McMeekin, talks about the way our creativity cycles through high and low points. So right now I am in a lull which can feel rather uncomfortable. I don't have that wonderful feeling of moving along with exciting projects, brimming with excitement at the next wonderful idea. I've spent the last few weeks figuring out priorities, ridding myself of excessive commitments and extraneous STUFF. Yet facing what amounts to a blank slate, instead of feeling invigorated I feel murky and uncertain. McMeekin says, "Whenever and however we arrive at the void, the experience promises to give us a close encounter with fear and insecurity. As we release an old identity and move into a sense of being lost, purposeless, undefined or confused, we must encounter the darkness in ourselves."



So here I am, fears bubbling up and not a lot of inspiration coming with them. But instead of panicking and packing up my schedule again with things I don't actually want to be doing, I am looking at my goals. I am hanging out with these uncomfortable emotions and trusting that this is part of the cycle. I am continuing to clean out and clean up and make little steps forward. I am trusting I will reemerge from the creative void and thanks to the time spent creating space and order I will be prepared for the rush of creative energy and opportunity that is sure to come along.

2 comments:

Kristina said...

Great post!! I an guilt of the same thing sometimes. I love to focus on what I enjoy, not get overburdened with what brings me down... you know dishes, laundry...life. :)
I love those cute hearts, are they coasters?

Anonymous said...

Hey Alissa! I checked out your etsy shop and now your blog. I just love these cookies. I love what you are doing and I wish you the best in your endeavors.
Fondly,
Lisa M.

 
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