The Fickle Muse
As is our custom on the first Tuesday of the month, the By Invitation Only bloggers are gathering to tackle a topic, each in her own unique way. This month’s topic is “keeping creativity alive,” a challenge I’m sure we all can relate to from time to time.
That creative urge…most of us have it in some form or another. Whether it’s art, music, writing, sewing, gardening, writing code, blogging, or just creating the most perfect brownie the world has ever known, most of us in one way or another have the desire to create something that’s a unique expression of ourselves.
There are times when my ideas outpace my time, and half-written blog posts are circling in my head like 767’s over JFK, just waiting for a clear runway to land. And then at times everything just goes blank. I’ve come to realize that this lull is part of the creative process too, and to give it space.
While I don’t think that true creativity can be forced, I’ve come upon a few strategies to help re-awaken the muse and re-ignite inspiration.
Imagining myself in Paris. What would I be wearing, reading, seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, pondering? It doesn’t have to Paris; if there’s a place that you love or have always imagined that inspires you, that can be enough to get you out of your head for a while.
Reading something new. I love reading history and fantasy especially. I find imagining different times and worlds, and wondering about how people lived sometimes shakes off those mental shackles. Sometimes it’s a new (to me) blog or website, or just a thought-provoking post on a familiar one.
Giving myself assignments. Even if it’s a post or topic that will never be published, sometimes just the exercise of writing on a specific topic is enough to clear the mental logjams and get ideas flowing again.
Asking myself whose criticism I fear. Just asking that question, and it really doesn’t matter what the answer is, can break through the paralysis of worrying about whether what I write will be “good enough” or upset someone. (Even now, I still sometimes get tangled up in trying to be the Good Girl and please everyone.)
Giving myself permission to do it badly. Some of my favorite posts started out as rambling and disjointed streams of thought. But getting all of the thoughts out provides the raw ingredients that can be cajoled and edited into something worthwhile.
Never losing the joy. Sometimes writing (or any creative outlet) is hard work. Sometimes that makes the end result even more satisfying. Do what you love because you love it, to me that’s the most important part of creativity.
How do you stay creative? Do you find it more challenging at some times than others?
You can see the rest of the By Invitation Only bloggers’ thoughts on creativity at Splenderosa. They’re a very creative bunch, and I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone has to say!
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I believe that writing takes time and as you say overcoming the notion of “is it good enough?” I find it easier to write when I am away from home because everything seems interesting to me and I am eager to share my impressions with others. I am always amazed at how you produce an interesting post almost every day.
For me, it’s generally about finding the time and energy rather than the ideas for writing (I have a backlog of post-prompts that would take me months to get through!). So I rarely experience anything like Writer’s Block, but when I do, I’m a big believer in process for getting to product. And I think that taking time for other creative enterprises, whether gardening, photography, sketching, listening to or making music, all feed the writing Muse. As well, it’s rare that I don’t take a writing idea “on the road,” letting it take shape while I run.
However you keep the Muse happy (and those are great suggestions above), you certainly turn out impressive results and keep all of us, your many readers, very happy. Thanks!
Thank you for these wonderful reminders on how to stay creative. I especially appreciate “giving myself permission to do it badly” and will keep that in mind (literally!) the next time I feel stuck. It doesn’t have to be perfect…
These are some good tips, and some are things I do without even thinking so I hope they’re working! I especially agree that it’s good to look at new blogs or different kinds of reading to shake you out of a rut and get a new perspective. And as Heather in Arles (must go read her blog!) said, give yourself permission to do badly. Not every creative venture will be perfect. Sometimes I just need to brush paint and glue on things and enjoy the brushing, not worry about the outcome
For me that question of whose criticism do I fear is the killer. Even if there is none voiced, I’m highly likely to make some up:). Your voice here, as always, is so decent and honorable. Glad to have you in existence:).
Personally I need to be in the mood to write or paint, it cannot be forced. I particularly like your idea of imagining yourself in Paris!
Thinking of all those half written posts just waiting for a runway must be what good writers practise…it would be interesting to let down your “good girl standards” and write something very provocative and see what happens.
Always a pleasure reading your posts.
Creativity is like a muscle I think…the more you flex and use it, the stronger it gets.
Since I am creative in so many different ways I find if one outlet isn’t working then I will try another. Maybe I’m trying to create a new necklace and everything I’m coming up with is lame. Then I might move onto drafting a blog post, or drawing and illustration. If none of that works I might go and cook or bake something. There are so many different ways to be creative. Once you get back in your creative “zone” there are never enough hours in the day to get to even one hundredth of the ideas you have.
bisous
Suzanne
I love the part about allowing yourself to do it badly.. its all about experiences and I think you really touched on something here!
Great reminders, thank you…one of my favourite spots in Paris too 😉
Have a great week!
We seem to have a common touchstone. Somehow, I’m not entirely surprised. 🙂
This is such a timely reminder for me. As an author, i allowed myself to take a week off from my current work in progress, just to smell the roses!
Jane Beckenham
Excellent post and I particularly like your last 3 strategies. Not being afraid to fail, again and again, is core to creativity.
Good reminders of strategies to stretch the creative mind. I find I need to go to the place where i work. Eat the right foods, that sound strange! Get out of home, way to many distractions like cleaning or laundry. If I’m working on something and it isn’t looking good I drive or take a nap. Many times things will be clear then.
blue hue wonderland
I love the ways that you keep your creative juices flowing Tish ….. and, I think it’s great that we all show our creativity in so many different ways don’t you ? All of our BIO posts are always so different which never fails to suprise me. XXXX
“ask myself whose criticism i fear”…that jolted me out of my mid-morning ponderings…what an interesting way of thinking about creativity…i think you are onto something here….
I think giving oneself permission to do it badly (writing, painting, drawing, whatever your creative outlet) is absolutely key. And apart from that, I’m a big believer in the ‘just do it’ approach. The two go well together – I recently set myself a challenge to write a minimum of 1000 words a day on a project (not work), and so long as I don’t get hung up on whether it’s any good, I’m finding it incredibly easy to meet my daily target. It’s like exercise – just getting your running shoes on is often the hardest bit …
Susan I’m amazed and delighted by your blog. You do a beautiful job. What may feel like ‘rambling’ to you merely feels like a conversation with a friend over coffee. Sometimes those ‘ramblings’ create a wonderful shape for our emotions. I love the photo for today’s posting also–wow do I wish I were there!
I agree with Tiffany that giving oneself permission to do something badly is necessary but oh so difficult. Since I’ve retired I’ve returned to painting. i try to do at least one painting a week.
I agree, creativity can never be forced and sometimes, even when we surround ourselves with all of the right elements it still doesn’t come. Then, miraculously. all the pieces line up and it begins to flow. In the artistic world they call it “the ringing of the blue note” It is the most delicious feeling when it happens. I so enjoy following your blog.
Suzanne
wwwchapter2twotoo.blogspot.com
Oh, I love this little list, and I love that you allow yourself space and time off. Now I feel better about those days when I just want to do NOTHING. I often think of it as brain-refresh. Thank you for taking part today. A wonderful post you have given us. xx’s
“The need to please” is not a crime. Part of loving your neighbor is also making yourself loveable. It’s a form of mutual respect. Granted, you will not please everyone all the time. That would be impossible. However, just by being a decent human being–which I think you are–warm, loving, giving (some of the components that go into being “a good girl”), you will be surprised how much good will you can engender. Creativity can flourish with this sort of “cross-pollination” too.
Great ideas for getting the creative juices flowing! I’m new to blogging and no doubt my biggest road block is second guessing myself and not feeling good enough, but I keep doing it and having fun … and that’s what it all about for me!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
YES to asking about which critical voice is holding us back. I started REALLY asking that this year, and once I confronted the imagined ogre and it blew away, my creative writing really took off (one personal blog, one business blog, stories and essays in process). Sure wish I’d blown the smoke-demon away sooner, but that is life (or that is the courage of being over 40)