Friends, many of us are struggling to step into creative practices that have helped us in the past. I get it. I'm there with you. Here is a creative pep-talk I wrote for each of us.
Creativity Reclaimed: a pep talk for anyone struggling to (re)turn to creativity.
Creativity does not bring me a sense of purpose.
Creativity does not bring me meaning.
It does not fill the emptiness.
It does not tidy it all up and make it better.
Creativity helps me to be present with the emptiness.
Creativity helps me to feel the pain
It helps me to acknowledge the discomfort.
It helps me to stay.
Creativity is the opposite of numbing
Creativity is the opposite of running away
Creativity is the opposite of making myself busy.
Creativity is a radical act of kindness,
Creativity invites me to breathe more deeply.
Creativity does not wisk away my fears and worries.
It helps me to see that what I am feeling is fear.
Creativity helps me to remember the pain and suffering of others
It helps me to get lost in a sea of compassion
Rather than drown in a swamp of fear escalating news updates and what ifs.
It is my oxygen mask
A tool to restore well being so I can move in the world.
If it also has an outcome of some beauty others can enjoy.
That is an unexpected bonus.
But not the goal.
So let go of that bonus
and open to the true gift of creativity.
Open to creativity as a zen master.
Teaching you to breathe
Teaching you to go places that scare you
teaching you to let your increased awareness be held with love.
It doesn't matter if it is a brush, a guitar, a meditation cushion, gardening, dance or writing.
Maybe this list has just brought on anxiety.
Let yourself be still. Step outside. Look out the window. Examine one bug, one flower, one cloud. Immerse yourself in the creative movement of the universe.