What if you allowed yourself a break before you felt depleted by recharging with creative practices? What if you schedule valuable waking time to do something of your choice, something you enjoy doing that helps to reduce stress and make you more productive? This sounds great, so what is stopping you?
There are many obstacles for people, time management is one and also deep in the fabric of our culture, output in the form of getting things done is rewarded with money and praise, leaving extraordinarily little time or incentive to do something that is for pleasure and self-improvement with no extrinsic reward. This is also why depression is running through individuals, families, and communities. Choosing to add creative practices into your life can feel silly or even scary when first starting. There are infinite ways to express yourself, meaning you can decide how you want to start. What is important is that you are authentic and choose to begin because you want to create something. You do not have to know what you are doing to start. Have an open heart and begin.
Here are six steps that will help you cultivate a creative process. These steps take time for people, while others may be done quickly. Gratefully, you can take all the time you need, it is your journey. You have the skills already; you need to practice unlocking them.
#1. Make Time (Creating a Ritual Through Discipline)
Making time is a big obstacle but also not knowing where to start. I suggest signing up for classes with local artists or hobbyists that offer something of interest. Commitment and community activity can help motivate you and keep you going back for more.
With each week you carve time for yourself, it can become your ritual. If getting out of the house is not an option, then start by designating a spot in your house for recreation. You may want to set up art studios, gyms, or even a quiet corner. The key is for the space to be comfortable and inspiring to you. I like to set the mood of my creative environment with candles and relaxing music. Others might like to turn on heavy metal. Allow yourself time to find out what inspires you and what medium you want to use.
#2. Connection (Breathing and Being Present)
Connecting to your intentions should not be overlooked. It can be simple, like sitting and breathing for two or three minutes, or it can be more extensive, like journaling or meditating. Be patient and do not strive for an outcome. A good starting place is to review why you are grateful. Gratitude for the time you are carving out for yourself. Sitting in front of the blank page or the open room where the possibilities are endless; this is where you start. Connecting with your unique impulse to create. That is something to be grateful for. It is a powerful force that should not be ignored.
We are all of us, unique, each a unique pattern of creativity and if we do not fulfill it, it is lost for all time. -Martha Graham
#3. Judgment (Shut Down Negative Thoughts)
It is normal to have judgment but to invite a truly playful, creative space you must shut down critical thoughts. At this stage, we need to be our own cheerleaders and allow our work to be in a safe and encouraging space. When you first start you are not in a place to have an opinion whether it is good or bad. Whatever instrument you are using your pen, body, or paint this is your time to explore. Give yourself permission to improvise and let what you are doing absorb you. The act of creating is the work at this stage. Do not skip the exploration phase, it can take months, weeks, or even years before you move to the next stage. Exploring your medium is a wonderful way to find what you have an affinity to create.
#4. Clarity (Let Your Work Speak)
Now you have explored three to ten options, and you can choose what you want to focus on. Why is your work important to you? What parts are more interesting to you? How does it make you feel? Getting distance from it and looking at it or listening to your work can help to determine if there are themes. Here are questions that can get you started on finding clarity. Ask, “Why have I created this art? Is it missing anything? Where should this go next?” You can also ask a trusted friend for constructive feedback but be sure to choose someone who believes in your process and will not squash your creative flow. I caution you during this stage not to compare your work to others. At this point you may be ready to explore more, let it go, or begin again with the insight you gained. No amount of creative time is worthless and the practice of doing the work is what cultivating creativity is all about. Each time you create you are practicing for what you choose to create next.
#5 Process (Practice)
Carving out time to create, connect, check your judgment, and clarify your ideas is the process that we are practicing repeatedly. Sometimes you have clarity of an idea before you have created space to do it. Other times you have space and no clarity of an idea, or it just does not speak to you, and you must start over. It is all okay. Take a breath and start again. You can step away and come back to practice in a playful way. There is no end point when the goal is to have a practice that you can keep coming back to.
#6 Share Your Work (Bravo)
The final stage is optional but can be a delightful experience. It is the moment you are satisfied with the work, and you want to share it. Among a small group or friends or publicly, through an exhibit, stage performance, or publishing. The goal at this point should be to share the creation and let others experience it for themselves. It does matter if you make money or if others value it. The goal is to create and recreate so that you cultivate creativity in your life.
Why is it important to cultivate creativity you may ask. The simple answer is that it gives you an outlet to recharge and refresh your mind, body, and spirit.
Here are some specific benefits of having regular creative practice in your life:
· Reduce stress
· Improved mental health
· Solve problems more effectively
· Communicate better
· Adapt to change
· More productive
· New perspectives
I hope you will explore these six steps to cultivating your creativity. Let this be an invitation to you to show up for yourself and dive into your creative practice. Take a moment to reflect on how you spend your time in a day, week, or month. What are the obstacles stopping you from taking the time to do something creative? Starting is often the hardest part, and following these six steps can help you to get started and continue the vastly unique practice that only you can create.
I would love to hear how you are doing on your journey. Feel free to contact me at Linalynn2@gmail.com with updates and insights along the way.
Author: Linalynn Schmelzer 2/15/25 ©
Learn more about the author at www.rivervalleydanceproject.com
@rvdancep
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