This Year, I’m Freeing My Creative Self
What do you do with creative blocks? Build a castle! — SARK
I’m not sure of the exact moment when I began to lose my creative juice. Somewhere along the way, my logical, conscious brain took over and it no longer felt like I was living up to my creative potential.
In part, there was a reason for it. Last year, I began a new role where turning imaginative ideas into reality didn’t feel possible in an environment focused on technological releases, systems and processes. My days became filled with back-to-back meetings that barely left much space for me to think. For months, I’d end my workday feeling grumpy and drained from the mental exertion.
Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do and had always imagined me being exactly where I am today. I’m grateful that I make a living as a creative — I work full-time as a communications strategist and outside of the office I’m a ghostwriter, helping purpose-driven people tell the stories they feel called to share. It’s just that from 9–5, my way of working leaned a little more to the business and strategic side than to getting in the sandbox and creating each day.
With this transition, I no longer had the energy remaining for (or perhaps I just stopped prioritizing) filling up my own bucket with the things that inspire me. I lost the fulfillment, the energy and the joy in living each day from my own creative source.
Creativity, lost and found
Creativity is fleeting; when ignored, repressed or not used to its full potential, the channel through which it flows becomes blocked.
I needed to set my creative self free; free of focusing on seeking approval or a specific output and instead in enjoying the process.
There can be a kind of freedom, when the reward is itself the work.
- Nikki Giovanni
I began to recognize that creativity is not about what I do but in how I do everything. Living in a way that leaves space for me to be inspired will only provide me with the opportunity to bring my best to all areas of my life.
I’ve made it a goal to live my days more creatively, no matter what I’m working on. If you’re looking to do the same, here are a few things I’m doing to help get my creative juice flowing. To bring more imagination back into my life and into the work that I do.
Be intentional about my mornings
I’ve yet to join the 5 am club, but I do carve out a few hours to myself before I start my workday. This is my intentional time to set the tone for the day ahead, but also an opportunity to really tune into how I think and feel. I’m currently reading Untamed by Glennon Doyle (it’s a must-read by the way!) and in it, she speaks to the importance of tuning into your own voice:
Be still and know. I’d read that verse many times before, but it struck me freshly this time. It didn’t say “Poll your friends and know” or “Read books by experts and know” or “Scout the internet and know.” It suggested a different approach to knowing: just stop…If you just stop doing, you’ll start knowing.
I’ve realized that the only way to set my creative self free is to stop scrolling, stop consuming others’ thoughts and stop looking for answers outside of myself. Instead, I create the space to hear what I think and keep a journal and pen close by to capture ideas that come up.
Become a voracious consumer of life and culture
Once I’ve connected to myself and tuned into my own thoughts, I think it’s important to read, listen to and watch things that move me. Instead of aimlessly consuming, I intentionally seek out the things that will challenge me, introduce a new thought or simply light me up.
Create a room of one’s own
With the times we are in now, working from home means my room has become both a place for rest and work. While at first it was an energy drain to sleep and work in the same space, I decided to create a room that inspires me in order to change that. I added artwork to my walls by visual artist, Reyna Noriega, who’s images unabashedly celebrate Black women and femininity. I also put up a vision board this year — a practice I gave up on years ago in place of writing my dreams and goals in a journal. Having my visions and affirmations displayed front and center where I work keeps me motivated to keep going. I’m called daily by the dreams I want to bring to life instead of hiding them.
Don’t go alone
The creative journey doesn’t always have to be a solo one. Having a business partner to bounce ideas off of and keep each other accountable has made a difference. I also have a circle of talented friends who are just a group chat away to share ideas with and support.
Form a habit of completion
In Creative Companion by one of my favourite authors, SARK, she provides tips on how she’s freed her creative spirit. Her last tip, “Habit of completion” is the one that stood out to me the most. As a life-long procrastinator and perfectionist, I’m someone who has a million and one ideas but getting myself to the finish line can be a struggle. But I recognize that having a habit of completing the things I start will free me to do more. I’m not bogged down by the weight of unfinished projects or unrealized ideas.
