The Creative Void & Dance of Avoidance
In consistently avoiding a set of experiences due to the perceived grim consequences that they may lead to, whether it is out of the fear of the unknown or desire to remain secure, we consistently repeat our old patterns.
Void as a State of Not Knowing
A void can be described as a psychological state of not-knowing that when realized, can be charged with emotions associated with it. The term “creative void” refers to a period during which a person experiences a lack of creativity. Since creativity can be applied to any given challenge in life to (hopefully) bring more light to the one grappling with it, “creative void” is a state of ignorance worth talking about.
Below is a conversation about the creative void with one of the most creative tools humanity has come up with, namely ChatGPT¹. It may sound funny but, to me, it seems like we have managed to create some kind of a virtual god of all the wisdom of past events assuming that the model is trained on all possible data (which it is not). This wisdom, in my mere opinion, would be attainable by humans collectively given enough time. Roughly speaking, all AI seems to be doing for us so far is making sense of all that is fed into it by realizing more possible relationships between pieces of information.
Here is the conversation I have had with AI about the creative void.
Q: Why do many people avoid creative voids? It seems that they want to avoid the feelings of uncertainty or discomfort for too long…
A:
Creative voids are often avoided because they represent a state of uncertainty and discomfort. Many people prefer to maintain stability and control in their lives, and the feeling of not knowing or not having a clear direction can be unsettling. In addition, the pressure to consistently produce creative work can make the idea of facing a creative block even more intimidating. However, some people embrace creative voids as a necessary part of the creative process, as they can lead to new insights and breakthroughs. Embracing the uncertainty and discomfort of creative voids can lead to personal growth and the development of new ideas and perspectives.
Q: Provide 5 diverse examples of the creative void.
A:
Artist’s Block: When a visual artist or a writer experiences a lack of inspiration or ideas to create new work.
Design Dilemma: When a graphic or product designer is faced with a challenging project that requires a unique solution but they are unable to come up with a concept.
Musical Impasse: When a composer or musician is unable to find the right notes or chords to complete a piece of music.
Career Crisis: When a professional experiences a sense of boredom or dissatisfaction with their current job or career path.
Life Reassessment: When an individual experiences a period of introspection and uncertainty about their current life choices and direction.
Note the keywords like impasse and crisis here. I would be tempted to avoid those situations if they are really what they are worded to be experienced.
These particular examples may not resonate. But perhaps note how the circle of one’s choices can get tight with this kind of life strategy, for it is vital to explore what is not known in order to transform, by definition. So there is no choice left but to recycle the same experiences and experience life that way.
This is a good point to pause and revisit this cumbersome statement I started with:
To consistently avoid a set of experiences due to the ill-perceived consequences that they may lead to, whether it is out of fear of the unknown or desire to remain secure, we consistently repeat our old patterns.
The hidden cost of this type of avoidance resides in the realm of the unknown itself and that’s the irony; one would have to do what they are haunted by and truly risk it to reveal the answer(s).
Sarah and Alex in a Dance of Avoidance
The term dance of avoidance refers to a well-known dynamic between two ends of communication who willfully participate in a so-called “dance” to point to the existence of an elephant in the room without addressing the elephant in the room (direct communication).
Q: In dances of avoidance we play, what do we lose in life?
A:
“Dances of avoidance” is a metaphorical expression that refers to actions or behaviors that help people avoid facing difficult or uncomfortable situations, emotions, or relationships. In this context, it can be argued that by playing these dances, people may lose important opportunities for growth, self-discovery, and meaningful connection with others.
For example, by avoiding difficult conversations or experiences, people may miss out on the chance to develop their communication skills, deepen their relationships, or better understand themselves and others. Similarly, by avoiding facing their emotions, people may miss out on the chance to process and learn from their experiences, and to develop emotional intelligence and resilience.
In general, the dances of avoidance can lead to a lack of authenticity, emotional disconnection, and a sense of stagnation or unhappiness in life. However, by facing difficult experiences and emotions with courage and vulnerability, people can grow, learn, and build more fulfilling and meaningful lives.
This one was priceless:
Q: Tell me a short story about two friends who never told each other that they were sorry
A:
Once upon a time, there were two close friends named Sarah and Alex. They had known each other since childhood and had been through many ups and downs together. Despite their strong bond, there was one thing that they both struggled with: apologizing.
One day, they had a disagreement and both said things they didn’t mean. Despite feeling hurt, neither of them wanted to be the first to say “sorry.” Days turned into weeks and weeks into months, and the two friends grew distant from each other. They still talked and hung out occasionally, but the tension between them was palpable.
Years went by and the two friends grew older and wiser. They realized that their pride was standing in the way of their friendship and that a simple “sorry” could have fixed things a long time ago. However, now it seemed too late. They both felt like the opportunity had passed and that it was too awkward to bring up the subject again.
In the end, Sarah and Alex both lost a dear friend because of their inability to apologize. They realized that their pride was not worth the loss and that a simple “sorry” could have prevented it all. The moral of the story is that sometimes it takes courage to apologize and that it is never too late to say “I’m sorry.”
Life as a Game of Exploration
Imagine a mining/exploration game where each player gets a flashlight to then be placed at a random point in a humongous pitch-black room. The task is to notice/record some clues. The play-time varies by the player that is unknown to them during the game.
To add a little more fun to the game, let’s also say that by design “no two player’s games are the same”. At the end of each player’s time, all they have is the collection of their findings and experiences.
Here are some follow-up questions: If this game were to represent life on some level, how would it feel like to play such a game? What is your strategy when you encounter the unknown? How will you keep track of what has been already explored going forward? … What happens when two players meet for the first time? How would that affect a new interaction with the next player sometime later? The questions are endless.
You may have noticed the abundance of creative “voids” in this thought experiment: the vast darkness in the room compared to the narrow dispersing light of the flashlight and the phenomenon of meeting and interacting with different players (perhaps even comparing notes), are examples of situations where voids can emerge.
A Conclusion
Voids are not what they may seem to be. Whether they happen in a relationship with another person or about our world, voids are imbued with the possibilities for exploration and transformation.
Notes
* Check out my previous blog about ChatGPT for more info
