A favorite question in therapist offices everywhere, no less frequently heard in my offices : “how does that make you feel?” I ask it not for no reason! Getting in touch with your feelings is an important step to creating your best life. Today’s blog post spends some time on emotions 101- a nod to a blog post past and today connected to the theme of mindfulness.
In simple terms emotions are signals between our bodies and our brains to communicate information. They are physiological sensations often in unique combinations that have important messages to us about a threat, a need or overall sense of wellness. The process can be clouded by emotions’ tendency to not always be “logical”- the brain is needed to “assess” if anything is “needed” in response to emotional signals once received. The problem is, as human beings, thinking organisms as we are, we spend too much time in our brains and not enough time in our bodies. We lose touch with our emotions. They may be trained out of us by society. They may be labeled “good” “bad” or “valuable” “nonvaluable” to our lives. We suppress, ignore, or avoid. None of this prevents the signals of emotions from being generated by our bodies. Just as we are thinking beings we are also emotional ones. The emotional signals are going to be sent. What does this mean if we are not “listening” to them? Oftentimes in daily jargon or even in the therapy office we are cautioned not to “stuff” emotions or “bottle them up” or there can be negative consequences. This is not really a good explanation of what happens. When we stop paying attention to the emotional signals in our body what we are suppressing or ignoring is information. What we are really avoiding are uncomfortable sensations in our own bodies (aka- the actual emotion). The consequences of this are not an amorphous pressure chamber that will “explode” some day though it is a ticking time bomb of sorts. What we are doing by neglecting these signals of information is neglecting our needs. Imagine if you had a pet and each time this pet tried to communicate to you it was hungry, wanted to be pet, wanted to go for a walk and so on, you didn’t pay attention to it. Over time this pet would not be well. By not paying attention to our feelings we are essentially doing this same thing to ourselves. There are consequences like becoming more vulnerable to stressors in our daily lives because we are generally not taking care of ourselves as we could be. By using mindfulness we can begin to train ourselves to bring our attention from our thoughts where we spend so much of our time, to check in with what is going on in our bodies. We begin to get to know what physical sensations go on in our bodies throughout the day and what they mean. Do you know what your feelings actually feel like? Would you recognize them before they reached crisis levels? There is a lot of data about yourself to learn if you start paying more attention. It requires patience directing and redirecting wandering attention that wants to live in thoughts. It requires persistence staying with potentially uncomfortable body sensations we are used to ignoring. It requires daily practices and stick-to-it-ness. But it can truly change your life. And- as we have alluded to in posts past- being more in touch with yourself and your needs and improving your control over attention in general has positive impacts on your creative work as well. Curious how? Look back at creative block posts for “Get Unstuck with Mindfulness.” Ready to start your mindfulness journey? Want to live your life with more purpose, acceptance and peace? I can help. (C) 2019 Creatively, LLC Hello, Wonderful, Creative People!Today we will talk again about one of the foundational concepts of the work we do at Creatively, LLC: that Creative People are unique! Creative People are a specific kind of people, with specific strengths and needs in their creative personality. The trouble is, most of us don’t know about them, and don’t take care of our Creative Personalities well. One of the Hallmarks of a Creative Person, a Creative Personality, is Strength.That means powerful drives, powerful passions, powerful impulses, powerful emotions- a Creative Personality has it all. It is Mother Nature’s gift to sustain the difficult work required of innovation and creation. Creation demands authenticity, questioning, and digging deep- often requiring Creative People to go against the flow, question norms, and form their own opinions. This requires a lot of power! That is why it is part of your personality. You will need it for the creative work you do! Authenticity and Meaning-Making for Creative PeopleAuthenticity and meaning-making go hand-in-hand as two more features of your Creative Personality. Creative People are driven to live authentically, contribute to the world, and make meaning of their lives. When they are thwarted in one of these tasks in their lives, their powerful drives and feelings become frustrated and blocked. Your Creative Work is the main way in which you contribute meaning to your life. Your big passions allow you to reflect your experiences to the lives of others, impacting them in a meaningful way. When you live authentically, your creative contributions are truly important, unique, and your own. This is your recipe to good living as a Creative Person. But, Creative People Have Blocks!When, however, you become blocked in meaning-making, or, something is preventing you from living authentically, your powerful feelings, drives, passions, and impulses become blocked and/or unhealthy. If you are living within the confines of a creatively unsatisfying or unhealthy life, you may suffer from powerful anxiety, depression, or other emotional problems. You may have powerful impulses that stray from healthy, creative meaning-making urges, to more destructive, self-soothing, or numbing cravings. The World is Not Set Up for Supporting Creative PeopleUnfortunately, the problem is, the world continues to devalue the importance of creative living. Creative pursuits are undervalued, and creative professions are underpaid. Most creative individuals are encouraged to tamp down their passions, and spend time doing things deemed more “productive” by society. You become another cog in a wheel and are left confused as to why you are unhappy. How Are You, and the Other Creative People You Know Affected?There are many Creative People in the world, and this is a true story told by too many. The truth is, the most stabilizing thing you can do in your life, as a Creative Person, is to be Creative. How is one to do that when they have systematically replaced all the Creativity in their life? When they aren’t sure what it even means to be a Creative Person anymore? What is Creativity Counseling or Creativity Coaching?Creativity Counseling and Creativity Coaching are designed with you in mind. Care specifically for Creative People, you regain control and satisfaction over your life in three main steps: 1) Master your Creative Personality 2) Discover the link between your Creative Personality and Mental Health 3) Establish a regular practice of Creativity in your life Start Creativity Coaching or Creativity Counseling: Change your Life Today!If you are interested in real, impactful, and lasting change for your creative mind, I would love to help you. Let's connect and launch your life to the next level! I have three steps you can take, right now from my site if you are ready to take an important step forward in your life: 1) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability, and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick the best next steps to help you succeed. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. More Articles for Creative PeopleCreative People, Anxiety and IntuitionSomething I see often with the Creative People that I work with is an association between their creativity and anxiety. Specifically I mean worrying, dread, fear of uncertainty and about the future. There are some simple aspects of the creative personality that contribute to this, and one of these is the creative personality trait of intuition. Creative Personality and IntuitionCreative People are usually highly intuitive. By intuitive I mean they have a high capacity to see the potential in things. A common test of creativity in psychology is the “paperclip test” where participants are asked to list how many things you can use a paperclip for- and the quantity and variety of uses is said to correlate with higher creativity. This is just one was to illustrate the quality of intuition in creatives. We have a questioning, investigative nature, and are looking for the potential in things all around us. Creative Personality and AnxietyWhat can happen to this intuition is it becomes impacted by our mental and emotional state. In other words, if we are highly tired, exhausted, frightened, sad and so forth, our intuitive capacity begins to make associations that are less productive are useful. Instead of seeing positive potential, we begin to see risks and fears. We make negative predictions. We follow pessimistic thought distortions. We begin to worry. The Link between Anxiety, Intuition, Creative People and WellnessThe antidote to this is really quite simple: 1) Educate yourself that your creative personality is intuitive and accept that this powerful intuition is impacted by your state of being. 2) When you find yourself negatively predicting the future, anxious and worrying, stop and ask yourself what unmet needs do you have? What in your life is causing you to be stressed, sad or fearful? 3) Meet those unmet needs! 4) Engage in grounding activities. Whenever you find yourself caught up in racing thoughts and worries, your best way to combat that is to bring yourself from the intellectualizing into the present moment and sensory experiences. 5) When you are fully grounded, and have met the unmet needs, send your intuition back out to reevaluate the positive potential in the situation. Building Intuition with Creativity Counseling and Creativity CoachingSo, Creative People, you are intuitive. It might make you anxiety prone. But it is all ok. Try some tips and come sit on my couch to work more deeply on using your personality strengths to create your best life. Take one of these steps and get started building your intuition today: 1) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 2) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. More Articles Like Anxiety and Intuition in Creative PersonalitiesA Creative Personality Snapshot, Make Time for Art, From One Creative to Another, Finding your Creative Balance, 2 Fundamentals for HSPs, Dream Theory for Creative People, Launch Creatively Into Spring, Therapy for Creative People, (C) 2022 Creatively, LLC
www.creativelyllc.com Coaching for Creative PeopleI have to title this post “Make the Time for Art” because this is so very crucial for Creative People! Creatives, not for the first time, I have tell you again how vital it is for you to be creative for your health and wellness! In my graduate thesis, I discovered very robust findings that the more creative the person the more impactful creativity is on their overall wellness. In other words, you need to create to be well! Not only is it crucial for you to be doing creative work to stay the best versions of yourselves, but never has it been more important to the fabric of humanity for creative visions to be shared to make room and hope for growth and change. Creativity lays the foundation for where we go in the future, and that, Creative, is you! Busy Creative PeopleI know that even if you agree with me, and all of this sounds good, that life gets in the way. You may have a 9-5 job that occupies your time and leaves little time for any creative endeavors. You may be in a creative job but feel trapped in your creative business agenda and unable to invest in your own creative pursuits. You may have finished art school and not sure what to do with your art next. You may feel generally stuck or uninspired. You may feel inhibited by imposter syndrome. You may be raising children or supporting family members and feel you have no time to invest in your creativity. Money may be an issue. Resources can be a problem. Even our own bodies give us limitations. Believe me, I get it. As an artist I have faced some of these myself. Lives of Creative PeopleWhat I can tell you is it is normal for your creative journey and how and where you invest your time to change over time. You may go from a full time art student to a full time administrator with art as a side-hustle. You may be a dancer or a musician performing with a company and end up investing instead in a different profession and enjoy music and dance in your community as a performer or even teacher. You will need to create your creative journey over and over again. It will be frustrating to do this. You might feel like you sold out, failed or let yourself go, but this is just the normal process of change in life. You get to decide what you want to do with your life and creativity and when, and your pathway is your own. Tips for Busy Creative PeopleIn a recent #createwellminutecast on YouTube I shared a tip to get you started to find windows of opportunity to get reengaged in your creative work. Check it out- it was episode 103- but essentially the tip was write out a schedule of your typical day, and indicate ANYWHERE YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES OR MORE UNUSED. This time is enough for you to do some version of creative work. It is trial and error to see how and what fits into your life. It requires acceptance of where you are and what works. Connecting with Other Creative PeopleMy second recommendation to you is see how you can plug yourself into your creative community. There are opportunities all around you to get engaged- but you don't have to look too far! You can connect with my community of artists in the Creatively Online Residency! Try various things and get yourself plugged in. The culminative energy of creative people working together is beyond compare and the motivation of events, classes and even little project deadlines keep you engaged. Creativity Coaching Supports Change for Creative PeopleFinally, change is hard and fitting yet one more thing into an already packed schedule I realize is a hard sell. That’s really what I am here for! To help you tease apart what is getting in the way of you and your creative work and blocking you from living your best life. Reach out to me at Creatively- I am here to help! 1) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. (C) 2022 Creatively, LLC www.creativelyllc.com More Articles like this for Creative PeopleAuthenticity in Creative PeopleCreatives, I toyed for awhile with several topics for today- and decided upon another snapshot of your amazing creative personality. It’s gonna be a short one today but what we may lose in length we will make up for in potency and relevance. So, here it is: Have you ever been called independent, adventurous or even oppositional? You may not be surprised to find out that “going your own way” is another fundamental part of your creative personality. A Creative Personality is OriginalLogically, this makes sense: Creative People have to be bold, brazen and independent enough to go against the grain, innovate and create something new. It takes questioning everything, going against the current and daring to be different. It also makes us stubborn, beholden to none, afraid of commitment and crappy with dates/times/deadlines/absolutes. A Creative Personality Dislikes ConstraintsSound like you? You like to flow with your feelings- go when you want to, stop when you are ready. You are spontaneous. You may also find that events scheduled on your calendar loom and may actually have a feeling of dread and heaviness associated with them. Rules even in the form of deadlines and appointment times to be places can feel confining, restricting and interfere with your ability to respond to your flow. Embrace your Creative PersonalityUnfortunately, Creative, there is no cure for what ails you. Your best bet is to face your struggle like you do everything in life- with passion. Embrace this quality- its enthusiasm, its curiosity and capacity to absorb and feel the world around you. You may be able to reduce deadlines and scheduling in your life and be more spontaneous, or you may not. Either way you have what it takes to do things according to your own schedule, or rise to the occasion when expectations are set out for you by others (even if you may not relish it the same). Get Started TodayThere are tricks I can teach you to dread less, schedule better, set goals more and be both regimented and organic in the way you live. Creativity Coaching and Creativity Counseling are designed to make you and expert on your Creative Personality so you can live well and reach your dreams. Take one of these steps to get started today: 1) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. (C) 2022 Creatively, LLC www.creativelyllc.com More Articles Like "A Creative Personality Snapshot":The reason I became a Creativity Coach and a Creativity Counselor... ...is because of my own story. I understand those who have Creative Personalities that were misunderstood, unsupported, unrecognized by society at large, resulting in their needs being unmet, and the ultimate suppression of the creative strengths of their own. Ultimately Counseling for Creative People Started......from the ways I am helping myself. The philosophy I developed for creative minds stemmed from a search to help myself, and that is why I am so passionate about it all. That is why I know it works. Coaching for Creative People Started...I know living blindly to your own creative needs is painful, and to suppress your creative identity is a numbing, unfulfilling and a meaningless life for you as a creative person. I know the struggle of transformation from that to coming home to your creative self. I know it is possible and worth it. Coaching and Counseling for Creative PeopleTo that end, I want to be more open and authentic about where I came from, and how it is going, in order to give my fellow Creative Minds the endless support have I have always endeavored to give, with all my heart. Healing of a Creativity CoachI am painting a series about my origin story right now that is both emotionally difficult and healing. Creatively healing from past difficulties through artwork is something I strongly encourage as an important part of Creativity Counseling and Creativity Coaching. Opening these past chapters is allowing me to integrate them into my life, after wading through what I had locked down about them. This is difficult, and very healing. My past loses control over me as I work. History of a Creativity CoachI have shared versions of my personal history before, to give context to my work in Creativity Counseling and Creativity Coaching. Essentially I was raised with a lot of rules that were not conducive to my creative soul. It was oppressive. Confusing. Disorienting. Guilt inducing. Shaming. Not only did I learn narratives that didn’t support who I was, but also blamed me for it. Naturally, I grew into a young person who was anxious, depressed and unhappy. I felt less- than, broken and doomed. Needs of the Creative MindVital needs of a Creative Mind are to make your own meaning of your life, not take information for granted, and to form you own opinions. I was stubborn, tenacious, and determined. I was willing to lose everything to find my own way. I guess you could say I did do that. I challenged everything I knew and fought every system I had for the sake of authenticity. It was not pretty, nor was it fearless. But creativity is the master of invention, and I refused to give up. Creativity is HealingThroughout it all, making art grounded me. I painted endless portraits of myself, of women, of iconic religious women, of myself as iconic religious women, of feminist themes, of female empowerment and patriarchy. I explored and delved endlessly. I studied psychology while I studied art. I explored the human mind and neurotransmitters and operant conditioning, sociology and anthropology, I explored my own relationships. The most important step I took during this time in my authenticity, was to claim it, and step away from where I started my life, saying firmly, “not this.” This choice cost me support and safety for the sake of my authenticity. Creative Sketchbook JournalWith little more than conviction to move forward, I came to Maryland with a tiny bank account, a lot of loans, 3 jobs, and a rented room for graduate school. I knew no-one here, but it didn’t matter. These choices were my own! Over the next few years I went through some of the most major challenges, while discovering some of the most important knowledge thus far in my life. I often encourage my Creative Artists to do something I call “creative sketchbook journaling,” and it is something that has sustained me, too. I remember writing in my pages during this time, “When you are down and out: This is when you discover what you are made of”. And that certainly defined that time for me. Creative PersonalityThis period is where I learned, through my own research, that I had a Creative Personality. That this was a cluster of characteristics, like passion, powerful emotions, powerful drives, thirst for meaningfulness, individuality, authenticity and more that I had been encouraged to shut down, control, suppress, ashamed of, and even be medicated for. I knew there had to be others like me. I reflected upon how art had always grounded me throughout my life, and wondered about the relationship of creative practice to creative people. I wrote a graduate thesis finding the more creative your personality, the creative work was essential to your overall wellness. Creative people need to be creative to be well! How fundamental! But, my life had shown me that creative people were discouraged away from their natural personality traits and creative endeavors to fit into more main stream expectations. The Pursuit of MeaningfulnessWhat followed graduate school was a purpose and a passion. I felt at last that I understood my life in a meaningful way and had a direction to move in. I would develop a philosophy to help myself, and use it in my career as a professional counselor to help others. I spent the next portion of my career in hospitals, clinics, outpatient programs and more, designing interventions, groups and anything that seemed helpful for creative people. I began to recognize aspects of creative personalities with more and more ease. My mission was simple: find the overlooked creative people, help them discover their creative personalities, embrace them, and thrive! Helping Creative People Embrace Creative PersonalitiesHelping Creative People identify their creative personalities, and find tools and support to harness the strength of their natural personalities is absolutely life changing- for them and for me. Maintaining my own healthy creative practices along the way is my own life-long journey. It is crucial to what I do as a Creativity Coach and a Creativity Counselor, because when I do not care for myself, I am in no shape to help others, and, I am at my best as a helper when I have fresh new tools and perspective to share. Helping Creative People ThriveThis is my life in every way! From my practice to my preach- my life purpose is to help creative people thrive. I believe a good life is a meaningful life. My meaning has been found, in a way, by manifesting that. I live my life creatively, with passion, emotionally, authentically, and out loud. Life is not without struggle or pain, but I know myself and I know where I’m going, and they are all my own choices. How simple. Will you give yourself this same permission? I would love to support you! Start Creativity Counseling or Creativity Coaching Today!If you are interested in real, impactful and lasting life change for your creative mind, I would love to help you. Let's connect and launch your life to the next level! I have three steps you can take, right now from my site if you are ready to take an important step forward in your life: 1) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. More Articles like 'From One Creative Human to Another'Find your Creative Balance, 2 Fundamentals for HSPs, Dream Theory for Creative People, Launch Creatively into Spring, Therapy for Creative People, Duality in Creative People (c) 2022 Creatively, LLC
www.creativelyllc.com Counseling for Creative People to Achieve Creative BalanceHello, Creatives! This article is about the delicate balance between the input and output of your creative energies. The concept directly applies to the three-parts foundational principles of Creativity Counseling: knowing your creative personality, the relationship of creativity to wellness, and your daily creative practice. Counseling for Creatives and the Drive to CreateAn important part of your creative personality is the drive to create. As related to your wellness, this both requires and generates energy. This is why I emphasize so much a daily creative practice- to maintain a regular source of creative energies to sustain the energy it takes from to create (circular, you see.) In other words, we are roughly talking about a personalized equation of creative input and output to sustain your overall wellness as a creative person. This balance is important and unique to you and your health in a long term way. Understanding your Stressors using Counseling for Creative PeopleAlso important to note is your equation does not exist in a vacuum- the forces of life regularly change the variables and their weights. Once you establish the basic parameters of your equation it will require regular checking in and adjustment with the stressors of life. I want to reference here as a system for setting this up for yourself by mindfully listening to instincts. Keeping in mind the concept of finding your creative balance, consider the tool of tapping into you innate instincts. Instincts are Important in Counseling for Creative PeopleThere is a part of you where instinct and body knowledge live, untampered with by your mighty prefrontal cortex. It is a set of natural drives and signals that most living things live by, and in many ways we have evolved away from. For better and worse, we bring in the “intellectual committee” when making decisions, sometimes overriding our organismic needs. There are certainly times for that. There are also certainly times when it is less useful. Ideally, I want you to be able to identify both your natural instincts and your “committee” decisions, and make a choice as to which you need to follow. Since I think human beings are evolved and accomplished at doing the latter (“the committee”) I want to spend time exploring the former (“the lizard brain”). So- let’s take some time and space to check in with yourself: how are you at listening to your instincts? Creative People use their Instincts AlreadyYou may connect with this notion of instincts to one of its many names in today’s society- body knowledge, Mommy instincts, protective instincts, gut feelings, initial reactions, first impressions, etc. It is a visceral screaming of “yes” or “no” inside you. If you have to “decide” about something, then that is probably not your instinct about it. Instincts and Mindfulness in Counseling for Creative PeopleI was listening to a book where the author quoted a zen master on this very topic- she said this zen master described the concept of zen to her as “when I am hungry, I eat, when I am tired I sleep.” What a basic and beautiful example of meeting simple organismic needs. Yet- how often do we neglect to do this? We eat when we aren’t hungry, we don’t sleep when we are tired- yes, I know there are many reasons why- but we can’t deny that the overall effect is neglecting our basic needs. You Learn to Listen to and Meet your Needs in Counseling for Creative PeopleWhen we neglect our animal self, or “basic needs” in hierarchy of needs psychology, there is a fall-out. One of these is that we lose sight of and connection with that part of ourselves. If we aren’t giving our body what it wants, eventually we stop listening to what it is asking us for, until we finally block it out altogether and aren’t even sure what our instincts are. Another cost of this behavior is- we are in a constant state of alarm or stress. If, again, you think about an animal without regular reliable food, water, shelter, safety, routine, structure, exercise etc, what you get is a stressed out, unhappy, neurotic animal. For human beings it is the same. When we neglect our basic needs we are constantly plagued by an undercurrent of instability. Creative People and Passions- a DistinctionI want to take a minute and address the difference between needs vs wants. All livings things also have a survival instinct that drives us to excess. It says- “this is good- more!” and this is not the same as meeting basic needs. As creative people, we tend to be very passionate, and the drive to experience more of things that we love is normal. Therefore, it is important for you to keep in mind as you tease apart what your natural self is asking you for- what is healthy for you and if limitations need to be set. Counseling for Creative People Says, Trust Yourself!I said earlier that one of the modern-day society names for these instincts is “body knowledge” and in fact this is a concept researched in psychology. Essentially what it means is- your body stores experiences and and therefore reacts to things very personally based upon your life experiences. This means listening to your instincts can be very valuable. Instincts can tell you when you are suffering, when you are well, and what you may need to stabilize. Building your Instincts: a Creativity Counseling SkillTo strengthen this natural force within you, you need to tap into it and listen to it often. If you haven’t done this much, or even at all, I want you to start by “petting the cat.” Consider your most basic organismic needs (do a simple inventory) and make sure that they are met. Drink enough water. Eat enough good foods. Be physically active. Be social. Get enough sleep. Adhere to a routine. Eliminate toxicity and poisons. Do this diligently for at least two weeks and record your anxiety and stress level as you go. I promise you will feel more grounded, safe and calm. By “petting the cat” you are getting back in touch with your instinctual natural self by giving it what it needs. Creativity Counseling Says: Reinforce!A second step: once you are meeting your basic needs, begin to notice when your “lizard brain” is asking you for something. You will begin to notice fatigue when you deviate from a routine, miss a meal, etc. Begin to make the connection with these natural and basic patterns of cause and effect in your body. Strengthen the connections by noticing them and meeting the needs they are asking you for. As you continue in this work, you might add a meditative practice to quiet your thoughts (eg consciously telling the committee when you aren't available) and access your instincts. Begin to notice the answers to questions like, what “feels right”? Your Creative Balance RestoredOver time, my goal for you is not to close off your intellectual capacity to solve problems, but to supplement it with your strong instinctual knowledge. When making decisions about your creative energy input and output, I want you to have access to both an intellectual and visceral information sources. By no means do we want to prioritize one mechanism over the other- both have valuable information to offer, and one can counterbalance the other when it misleads us. Both of these working in tandem will help you balance your individual equation for creative input and output in the most optimal way. Start Counseling for Creative People and Creativity Coaching for Creative BalanceDid you know this skill enhances not only your overall sense of wellbeing, but also your artistic practice? Choose one of these steps to start Creativity Coaching or Counseling for Creative People, right now: 1) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. More Articles Like "Find your Creative Balance"2 Fundamentals for HSPs, Dream Theory for Creative People, Launch Creatively into Spring, Therapy for Creative People, Embracing Duality in Creativity, Therapy for Creatives: Creating Holistically, Therapy Skills for Creatives: Anxiety (C) 2022 Creatively, LLC
www.creativelyllc.com Tools for Creative, Highly Sensitive PeopleToday I want to stress the importance of two simple, but difficult to execute, concepts for highly sensitive people. There are many important things to get to know about yourself when it comes to caring for and nurturing your sensitivity- not the least of which is that it is an asset to you not a problem-but when it comes to long term results, two of the most important are repetition and persistence. Who are Highly Sensitive People?Highly sensitive people have recently popped into psychology as “HSP’s” and started to become recognized as a subset of the population with an expanded sensory capacity. Essentially, this means that along the abilities of your five senses, you are exceptionally open to input. Some HSP’s are more sensitive along a specific sense, many are more sensitive along all of them. Oftentimes, when we talk about HSP’s, what we also mean is an expanded emotional capacity. This means your emotions are in touch to what is happening around you, and respond to that in great volume. You may have been called an empath, for example. You may know things about yourself, like, you are passionate, or you can’t watch scary movies, or you get very invested into your projects, or you love very deeply, as evidence of this. Many Creative People are Highly SensitiveWe know that one of the hallmarks of a creative personality is an expanded emotional capacity. It stands to reason, then, that this expanded emotional capacity is regularly also a “highly sensitive” emotional capacity, and/or comes along with an expanded sensory capacity. Read more about this here. Many creative people have gone through liife believing this is a bad attribute, bering told they are “too much” or to “calm down” or to “buck up” or “get over things.” Some may even have ended up in the medical or mental health systems to “stabilize” when in fact, their powerful emotions were otherwise healthy for them. If being highly sensitive is the way your brain and body are wired, the first thing to do is to understand this about yourself, and how to support and care for yourself properly. Creativity Counseling your "Cat Brain" Using RepetitionI like to refer in Creativity Counseling, to our high sensitivity as our “cat brain.” If you have ever brought home a new cat, the cat spends the first several days or longer, hiding and acclimating. As the new owner, patience is required of you, and consistency. You cannot force the cat to acclimate to you, but repetition and patience is the key while the cat adjust. Our sensitivity is similar. Our brains and emotions need to learn what we are doing, and that it is predictable, safe and trustworthy. This means we need to decide on something that makes sense for us, and repeat it. The same way. All the time. I know this can feel like nails on a chalkboard to Creative People, but we are not talking about big things. For example- many Creative People that hare highly sensitive hold tension and stress in their bodies and suffer from things like muscle soreness, migraines and more. Yoga or a regular routine of stretching can be massively beneficial. But to reap the benefit, repetition, ideally the same time of day, for the same amount of time, is needed. Creativity Coach to Yourself- PersistOnce a new cat in your household learns where the food and water bowls are, because you always put them there, they get the idea of “this is the food spot.” However, the new cat only truly begins to relax and adapt through trust of that routine which is built through regularity. As an HSP, this is the crucial next step for you. When you have built something into your life, and decided it is beneficial, sticking to it is important. That means setting little goals that are maintainable. For an HSP, the change and chaos and self deprecation of things you can’t maintain is very disruptive. Something small, that your brain and body can depend on with regularity, is massively beneficial and something you can build up over time. You build confidence within yourself emotionally and psychologically when you continue to place that water bowl in the same place, day after day. Creativity Counseling and Creativity Coaching for HSPsIf you are interested in real, impactful and lasting life change for your creative mind, I would love to help you. Let's connect and launch your life to the next level! I have three steps you can take, right now from my site if you are ready to take an important step forward in your life: 1) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. More Articles like this for Creative PeopleDream Theory for Creative People, Launch Creatively into Spring, Therapy for Creative People, Embracing Duality in Creativity, Creating Holistically, Therapy Skills for Creatives: Anxiety, Your Creative Life Purpose Statement (c) 2022 Creatively, LLC
www.creativelyllc.com Therapy for Creatives: Understanding your DreamsHello, Creatives! This month on the Creatively blog I want to talk about dreams and dreaming. We have been exploring energetically the actualization of creative visions and goals into reality and our dreams can be an important part of this- so let’s try to understand more about what they can tell us: Dream Theory in Creativity CounselingThere is a variety of dream theory out there to glean through but for our purposes today we are going to borrow from two major camps: biological dream theory and psychodynamic dream theory. We will label biological dream theory as what is happening neurologically to create dreaming, and we will call psychodynamic dream theory what the creative brain is doing to attribute meaning to these processes to string the events into the story while dreaming and again when recalling a dream while awake. Biological Dream Theory when Counseling for Creative PeopleLoosely described, events that happen to us throughout the day are thrown into the “junk drawer” of our brains, aka, our short term memory. At the end of the day- oftentimes while we are sleeping- we need to clean out the junk drawer and file all the contents away into our long term memory. Biological dream theory generally says that dreams can be explained by the neurological activity that occurs during this filing process- that when we open different drawers in our long term memory, the contents from these filing cabinets may also be accessed to form our dreams. This can account generally for the content of our dreams. Psychodynamic Dream Theory when Coaching for ArtistsPsychodynamic dream theory has many names and is what you may be familiar with as dream analysis. This is generally more of an art than a science but what is important here is we all have our own individualized thematic system of meaning making both while dreaming and when awake recalling a dream. This can impact how we recall dreams and even how we experience them as they happen to us. Rather than the idea that each part of our dream has a standardized meaning, I believe that the meaning is individualized to the dreamer. Coaching for Creative People and Your DreamscapeLet’s take these concepts together. Imagine your junk drawer is full of stressful moments from a stressful day that are getting filed into long term memory as you sleep. Your dreams may offer you content like driving with impossible directions, riding in an elevator that is out of control, packing boxes that are never packed. They will have imagery from real life experiences but content from associations that are from your thematic system of meaning making: stress/anxiety. These ideas/concepts will come together to form your dreamscape. The dream will evolve into greater meaning when you remember it and try to make sense of it later while awake. Understanding Thematic Elements with your Creativity Coach and Creativity CounselorWhat does this have to offer your creativity? When you wake you remember packing endless boxes. You feel stressed thinking about the dream. Creative people often report to me recurring thematic dreams like this- “packing dreams” “elevator dreams” “driving dreams” etc. What are these dreams telling you? Cook it back to the biological explanation. It is telling you your system is under stress. Not a recurring dream? What emotional content can you identify? What overarching themes can you identify? What can you connect that generally to in your life? In this way, dreams thematically can connect us with relevant content on our overall state of well-being that we might be missing when we are awake and distracted by the literal noise of the day. Counseling for Artists Using your Dreams as your GuideWe are always more creative when we are emotionally healthier and dreams can be another tool to help us understand and meet our individual needs. They are more pieces of information to help us get to know ourselves and care for ourselves, better. Creative people regularly dream, and dream vividly- so good, bad, or ugly- this is another gift of your creative soul- use it to flourish! Get Started with Creativity Counseling or Creativity CoachingWant to learn more or struggling with difficult dreams or sleep? I am here to help. Here are three ways you can get started with Creativity Coaching and Creativity Counseling right now: 1) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is your Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. More Articles for Creatives like "Dream Theory for Creative People":Launch Creatively Into Spring, Therapy for Creative People, Embracing Duality in Creativity, Creating Holistically, Therapy Skills for Creatives: Anxiety, Writing your Creative Life Purpose Statement, A Creative Hierarchy of Needs (C) 2022 Creatively, LLC
www.creativelyllc.com 6 Ways to Launch Creatively into Spring from a Creativity CoachHello, Creatives! Finally, some warm weather with the promise of Spring in Maryland. I hope you are getting outside and feeling inspired (remember the “Getting Inspired with Mindfulness” post?) Today, I want to help you capitalize on the powerful impact nature and weather has on us and our creative process and how you can use that important “change energy.” Counseling for Creative People and HSPsRemember, Creative, you are sensitive, and you are sensory. You have strong emotional reactions to many things, and are very impacted by information coming in to your sensory system (sights, sounds, textures, smells, tastes). This is especially powerful because during a time of change our senses are more heightened to absorption (think jumping in a cold pool on a hot day- those first few seconds are potent!) All totaled, you have a powerful stream of energy to tap into during this “change energy.” And- the best, most mindful way to capitalize on this energy, is to get into it! Creativity Coach Tip: Get into the Energy!I want you to physically put yourself into this energy stream and take what nature is offering you- like the plants stretching and unrolling their leaves into the warm sunlight after a long winter- absorb the energy and refill your stores. Biologically it is needed, emotionally it is healthy and creatively it is regenerative. This is so powerful! Here are some ideas that might help you in your efforts: Counseling for Artists Advice 1: Go Outside!GO OUTSIDE! Have you ever tried plein air painting/drawing/sketching/sculpting/dancing/writing/photographing/playing music? Go. Try. It. Take your stuff and go outside. Therapy for Artists Tip 2: Meditate Meditate. Open a window, take a walk, sit on a porch. Sit and meditate to get yourself into a mindful state of being and absorb the sensations around you. Let them fill you and inspire. Therapy for Creatives Idea 3: Move your BodyGo exercise. Do some outdoor cardio. Breathing is the first thing you do when you are born and the last thing you do when you die. It is biologically basic, instinctual and very grounding. When you are in a good, healthy cardiovascular exercise (per doctor’s orders for your health always) your brain shuts up and energy goes to your breath and the rhythm of your movement. It is So. Grounding. So good for you. Creativity Coaching Thought 4: Lots of Fresh AirGet that fresh air. I don’t care what your day has in store for you- get some fresh air- as much fresh air as you can. Open windows. Take walks. Take breaks. Tap into the magnificent renewal energy that is all around you during the change in seasons. Coaching for Creative People Tool 5: Give your Body What it NeedsMeet your organismic needs. Drink enough water. Eat 3 healthy meals. Eat healthier ingredients. Sleep for 7 hours. Practice good hygiene. This combined with the increased natural flow of energy will launch you forward. Counseling for Creative People Option 6: Give your Heart What it NeedsMeet your emotional needs. What are you feeling? Do you need to feel it and de-rubble, do you need to “treat” it and feel better? Be honest, be open and meet. Your. Needs. Creativity Counseling and Creativity Coaching for Creative PeopleIn this article, I have tongue-in-cheek used Creativity Coaching and Creativity Counseling interchangeably. Of course, they are completely different services. What I do want to illustrate here, though, is that with both, you can make strides in building healthy creative practices for yourself, and getting to know your creative personality. Making healthy life changes, like mindful use of creative energy to boost your creative practices, is one such example! You can Start Creativity Counseling and Creativity Coaching Today!And finally, of course, Creativity Therapy can help! You are worth it. The life you will live when you do the work is worth it. Natural periods of potent energy like this are an ideal time to start working changes in your life, and I’m here to help! If you are interested in real, impactful and lasting change for your creative mind, I would love to help you. Let's connect and launch your life to the next level! I have three steps you can take, right now from my site if you are ready to take an important step forward in your life: 1) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. More Articles Like 'Launching Creatively into Spring'Therapy for Creative People, Embracing Duality, Creating Holistically, Therapy Skills for Creatives: Anxiety, Writing your Creative Purpose Statement, A Creative Hierarchy of Needs (C) 2022 Creatively, LLC
www.creativelyllc.com POV: Smart, Artistic, CreativeYou get bored easily. You are independent. Authenticity and meaningfulness are important to you. You appreciate the beauty in things. You like to learn about things that interest you. You are passionate. You can be flexible and open-minded when presented with new information. You are innovative and smart (though this may be based off the opinion of others). You prefer to find the answers to questions yourself rather than be told what to do. You are driven and motivated to matter. You have powerful feelings. You have a creative personality. You are my type of person, and I know all about your strengths and your struggles. Creativity Counseling Serving an Important NeedOftentimes, to have a creative personality is to be misunderstood. This is both because of your powerful drive to live authentically, and the lack of information available about your powerful personality. If you grew up in a strict environment where many of your options are dictated for you, and not aligned with your sensibilities, this can be quite problematic and downright depressing for your creative personality. This was certainly the case for me. I struggled to thrive in an environment with a lot of rules that didn’t understand me. I struggled to recover in a mental health system that also didn’t understand my creative personality and ultimately failed me. Creativity Counseling Designed by an Artist for ArtistsMy personal struggle led me to the field of psychology in an effort to understand myself better. At the same time, I studied studio art because my soul demanded it. I learned two vital things: my answers didn’t exist in current psychological practices, but working in the art studio was the best medicine I ever had. I went on to graduate school for counseling and wrote a thesis on creativity and mental wellness and discovered: “The more creative you are, the more you need to be creative to stay well”. I found this robustly. With high power. Across a high sample size. With a lot of foundational research into creative personalities and mental health. I spent the next decade plus in mental health practice developing for myself, and my clients, a toolkit for highly creative personalities to be fully supported and live a life of success and ease. I called this practice, Creativity Counseling. The Transformation of Creativity CounselingBecause I have watched my own life transform from struggle to flow across many levels, I passionately believe in the power of your creative personality. Because I am practicing from a foundation of my own personal research and life experiences, I know without a doubt what I am sharing with my clients works. This is the best, most authentic, feeling in the world. I personally blossomed from burnout to wish fulfillment. Now I own my own business, and have time to actively pursue my creative work and recreational interests. My life is full. And I want to share my knowledge with you. Passionately Counseling for Creatives and Ditching OverwhelmI said “The more creative you are, the more you need to be creative to stay well.” We need to redefine what we mean by overwhelm. We know creative people are driven by authenticity and meaning making. We know creative people have big passions. You may feel overwhelmed in your life, but you are not overwhelmed by doing. You are overwhelmed by doing the wrong thing. Your creative personality has supplied you with the energy and passion to pursue your goals. Your overwhelm is from not doing enough of what lights you up. It leads to aimlessness, meaninglessness, and drudgery. Creativity Counseling asks, “How did We Get Here?”How did we get to where we are, bogged down and painted into lives that feel overwhelming with meaninglessness and disappointment? Fear, obligation, social norms and expectations are all possibilities. Lack of direction and knowledge are also likely culprits, or the “spaghetti” approach. I also firmly believe that you, as a Creative Person, have been gaslit as to the importance of your creativity. Creativity Counseling asks, “How do We Fix it?”The simplest assumption is we got here “somehow” so let’s reverse engineer. Don’t take anything away at first. At very first, we will add something meaningful. Yes- a challenge can be identifying just one thing, or anything at all. But let’s start with brainstorming as your first step. I give most of my clients “creative sketchbook journaling” as a reboot to get to know themselves and spend time being creative every day. Creativity Counseling says, “Keep Doing It”Great work! Now add another thing. Then another. Running out of time in the day? Now it’s decision time. You will naturally start to feel your energy shift away from the meaningless, and towards the meaningful. This begins to force you to make tough decisions. This is where the work and real change start to happen. Creativity Counseling and Seeing your North StarIn Creativity Counseling we focus on the entire creative person, all your qualities, strengths and obstacles, and use them in your care to help you be well. We zoom out from symptoms and focus on long term solutions to include your health as a human being (we treat colds to prevent sneezes!) As you make changes in your life, it is important to set a clear picture for yourself of where you want to go. It will become clear to you what a healthy version of yourself looks like through counseling and coaching. The next logical question is, what life does that person live? What dreams have I been afraid to actualize, because I didn’t think they could be mine? It is time to put those back into your field of focus, because, then you can begin to make aligned decisions to live the life that you have always wanted. Creativity Counseling: Next stepsIf you are interested in real, impactful and lasting life change for your creative mind, I would love to help you. Let's connect and launch your life to the next level! I have three steps you can take, right now from my site if you are ready to take an important step forward in your life: 1) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. More Articles Like 'Therapy for Creative People':Dualistic Forces and Counseling for Creative PeopleHi, Creatives! This month’s blog post is about a concept introduced to me by Eric Maisel (and if you haven’t read anything by him, I highly recommend!) A concept that I am getting to know and experience more- and the more I do the more I grow clinically, personally and creatively- and so want to take the opportunity to introduce it to you: it is the concept of dualities in Counseling for Creative People. Dualities for Philosophy and Creativity CoachingDualities exist all around us in life. Opposite-end-of-the-spectrum forces that naturally oppose each other and create tension. Philosophers are no strangers to discussing them- Heraclitus’ theory was based on constant change between opposing forces as the source of all movement and natural existence. He said, ““All things are in flux; the flux is subject to a unifying measure or rational principle. This principle (logos, the hidden harmony behind all change) bound opposites together in a unified tension, which is like that of a lyre, where a stable harmonious sound emerges from the tension of the opposing forces that arise from the bow bound together by the string.” The important concept for us as creative people and that we use in creativity coaching and creativity counseling is recognizing the value of dualistic forces in our own lives and embracing them fully: that neither part of these pairs of power is more valuable than the other Therapy for Creatives that Understands DualitiesIf you get thinking about it there is no end to the pairs of dualistic forces at work in our world, and really what we are doing is operationalizing concepts so we can talk about them (which is fine- it is what language is for!) But of course, as a creativity counselor, what I am interested in specifically are two categories of forces in your lives- creative dualistic pairs and psychological dualistic pairs. Some of the classic pairs in creativity are process vs product, technique vs idea, flow vs stuck or block etc. In psychology they can be emotional pairs like happiness and sadness, anxiety vs peace. Some even blur the categorical boundaries between psychological and creative pairs such as struggle vs success or perfection vs imperfection. Take a moment to consider what sorts of dualistic pairs have presented themselves in your creative and psychological lives. Using Dualities in Creativity Coaching and Counseling for Creative PeopleThe concept of dualities is pretty simple: both parts of a dualistic pair are equally important and powerful parts of your life story. In fact- in your life you will constantly experience and oscillate between these forces. To value one over the other is to deny important experiences and parts of self and life. As Heraclitus famously said, “It is in changing we find purpose.” And so, Creatives, it is with this topic today I propose to you recognizing areas of resistance in your life- places where we can learn to live our lives more fully and authentically, the way your creative soul was meant live. This is an important tool both in Creativity Coaching and Counseling for Creative People. Start Creativity Counseling and Creativity Coaching TodayIf you are interested in real, impactful and lasting life change for your creative mind, I would love to help you. Let's connect and launch your life to the next level! I have three steps you can take, right now from my site if you are ready to take an important step forward in your life: 1) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. More Articles Like This for Creative PeopleCreativity Counseling for BalanceHello, Creatives! I have been so inspired lately by reading the work of Eric Maisel and today I want to discuss one of the themes from his work about creating holistically. This idea has such a beautiful tie-in to creating well, and wellness in your life. The overall fluidity of the concept is so simple and lovely. Creativity Coaching Embracing DualitiesLet’s start where we left off: with the idea of duality and embracing both sides of dualistic forces. If you remember from a previous Creatively blog we explored common dualistic pairs: polarized thought traps artists can get stuck in (process vs product, idea vs expression, discipline vs flexibility, being vs doing and so many more!) We explored our tendencies to over-invest in one aspect of these pairs and by so doing neglecting the other. By recognizing that each of these pairs had an opposite, we were able to understand that both of them were equally valid and important parts of the creative process and that both may be called upon at any time. Counseling for Creative People to Work HolisticallyWorking holistically is the logical next step from here. To work holistically we are essentially shucking the concept of duality altogether. We are rejecting any type of nomenclature for our work- instead we are being open to the moment, exactly as it is, exactly as we are- asking ourselves simultaneously- “what does my art” and “what do I need in this moment?” To work holistically, we are requiring of ourselves to be present, open, and mindful in our work. Sound familiar? Online Coaching for Creatives to Develop a Holistic PracticeIt takes effort to arrive at a place where we can work holistically. It takes knowing and understanding what our knee-jerk processes might be when we create, including avoidance tendencies, preferences, and motivations. Do we choose the same subject matter or materials out of safety? Do we use the same inspiration out of fear of failure or changes? Working holistically requires us to say we have no preferences and come to our work fresh and able to give it and ourselves whatever is necessary and best. Creativity Coaching and Creativity Counseling for ArtistsThere is important work to be done here. What fears do you have about your creativity? What excuses or avoidance are holding you back? What dualities do you default to? In a recent create well minute cast (#37 if you want to listen) I called you to an exercise- let’s expand upon it: Get yourself a piece of paper and pen. We are going to make some lists: 1) If I were to tell you to go create in this very moment (right now!) why can’t you? Why won’t you? What is preventing you? List everything. Logistics. Money. Tools. Abilities. Everything you feel is in your way from doing something creative right now. Hold nothing back. When you are done, label this list “avoidance/excuses.” (#realtalk!) 2) If I were to tell you to go take your work public (to a show, open mic, gallery, publisher, friend, etc- keep going through opportunities until you find some resistance) why wouldn’t you do this? List all the reasons holding you back. Include internal reasons like feelings, self esteem, value statements about self and work. Take your time to be thorough. When you are done, label this list “fears.” 3) What absolutes and values can you identify about your creative process? For example- “I am process oriented,” or “my work is figurative,” or “I value technique highly,” or “my work is non-commercial,” etc and so on- make a list describing what absolutes and values define your work. This is a tough one so give yourself time to think it through. When you are done, label this list “dualities.” Creativity Coaching and Counseling for Creative People HolisticallyYou have just identified for yourself three major categories of obstacles between you and holistic creating. Good job! Once you know what your obstacles are, you can identify yourself gravitating towards these old patterns and choose a different path. It takes time and repetition to train your brain towards new behaviors, and starts with recognizing old behaviors so you can not choose those. Counseling for Creative People has Holistic BenefitsThe power of working holistically is creating your best work and living your best life, because you are creating and living on life’s terms, not yours (and flexibility is a psychological and creative super power!) It is liberating because you are giving yourself endless options and freedoms. Unsurprisingly it starts with knowing that creative brain, your personal creative self, and a healthy dose of mindfulness. You can build holistic practices into your life today by taking one of these steps: 1) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 2) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. (C) 2022 Creatively, LLC www.creativelyllc.com More Articles for Creative People Like ThisTherapy Skills for Creatives: AnxietyA key part of Creativity Counseling is helping you roll with your powerful feelings, not struggle against them. Along with these strong feelings is a powerful energy stream, and often for Creative People, this can be experienced as anxiety, anticipation, or otherwise angst. You may regularly find yourself having difficulty relaxing, making choices, settling into your creative work, starting projects and staying focused because of this high vibration energy. Mother Nature has given it to you to support your creativity, and, in fact it will while you are working, but it can also take up so much of your executive functioning so as to cause difficulty. Step One: AwarenessIn a similar vein to mindfulness, the first thing you need as a Creative Person, is to understand that you have a unique creative personality, and what that means for you. Creative People experience emotions on an expanded scale, so it is important to understand that, and reasonable to apply that to yourself in this situation. What is your individual experience of emotions? How do you experience anxiety, anticipation, or high energy emotions like this? Step Two: ObserveOnce you have thought about and tried to understand your experience of anxiety, spend some time trying to recognize when it happens throughout the day. When are some of your common anxiety pitfalls or higher energy periods that become obstacles? Do you regularly wake up in the morning with an overflow of adrenaline? Do you wake throughout the night this way? How about when making choices? Make some observations when it happens, and how it feels, so that as it occurs, you recognize it is happening. Step Three: What are your Feelings Telling you?Emotions are chemical signals from the body to the brain. For Creative People, they are powerful signals. We don’t want to ignore them. Once you are aware of them happening, your next step is to understand the message, knowing that only sometimes the message will be useful. Waking up in the middle of the night, with anxiety about everything you need to do tomorrow, is not useful. The anxiety is “trying” to help you prevent catastrophe, but isn’t helping, really. It is just sleep depriving you. Anticipatory anxiety before you sit down to work is showing up to help you have energy to work. Sometimes it overwhelms you and “freezes” you to the point you feel you can’t begin, but if you recognize the purpose is to “fuel” you, you may be able to use the energy to push through and get started. This process of discovery can be complicated, difficult, and is time well spent in Creativity Counseling. Step Four: When you Don’t Need the Anxious EnergyIf you have done steps one through three, and have evaluated when anxious or high-level energy is not serving you, or also not dissipating, this is when you move on to step four. This step assumes you are doing background care for yourself and your creativity for overall wellness and stability. Need help and clarification on background care? I am here for that, too. Step four is the implementation of on-the-spot techniques to soothe yourself, recognizing your feelings, and allowing them to release without fighting them. This sounds a lot like mindfulness, and I am a big believer in those methods. However, what I have come to realize, is there is some tweaking needed for your Creative Brain. Mindfulness for Creative PeopleOver the years I have taught and used Mindfulness Techniques, I have found some difficulties both for myself and my creative clients. The techniques seem to work sometimes, but not all the time. They are a good beginning, but depending on the intensity of the situation, can fall short. What has become clear to me is, once again, that this is due to the unique expanded emotional capacity of your Creative Mind. As Creative People, you experience emotions very powerfully, so much so, that techniques, like mindfulness, functional for a typical emotional presentation, may fall short for you. I have found that using the same ideas and incorporating your creativity is the key to success in managing your emotional load. Powerful Feelings in Creative PeopleBasic principles of Mindfulness tell us to recognize our feelings to examine our needs, and meet them if necessary. Mindfulness also requires us to stay present with our feelings as they ebb and flow like a wave, and release us from their grip. I believe the success to this for Creative People lies in also incorporating a Creative Intervention that allows you to stay present mindfully, while engaging your creative muscles. I have designed one such intervention that is simple, yet impactful, for you to try. Creatively Mindful InterventionWhen you have completed steps 1-3 above, and notice yourself in step 4, try this intervention, a combination of Mindfulness Techniques, and an engagement of your creativity:
Therapy for Creative People Makes a DifferenceBy engaging your Creativity and using tried and true methods like Mindfulness, you will begin to experience the relief and ease in your life you have been searching for. Creative People are powerful, and understanding and knowing how your mind works, is crucial to giving it the care that you need. Start Creativity Counseling or Creativity Coaching today: 1) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 2) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. Read More for Creative People Like ThisWhat is your Creative Direction?It is in your soul as a creative person to make meaning in your life. You could go along with the normative milieu, status quo, and live a low maintenance life- but I’m going to bet that this is not you. Most creative people feel a deep drive to life authentically, meaningfully and purposefully. It is when they are living in this way they are truly happy and feel they are truly living. If you know this about yourself, Creative, this naturally begs the question, how will you make your meaning? What will be your purpose? What does your soul need this to be? Like the North Star of your creative soul, you need a purpose to be your creative direction, to guide the decisions you make in your life. One way to do this is to take the time to author your own creative life purpose statement. Writing a Creative Life Purpose StatementA creativity coach whose philosophy I greatly admire, Eric Maisel, in his book “Coaching the Artist Within,” (a read I also highly recommend), describes a process for generating a life purpose statement, which he states generally has six main elements: “- making use of your innate talents and abilities, your heart, mind and hands
Why Write a Creative Life Purpose Statement?In his book, Eric Maisel goes on to recommend creating a statement that incorporates these components into a single statement that will guide the decision making processes of your life. This is not easy and will take a lot of brain power to accomplish. You will need to write down your statement and likely revisit it often over a period of time to finalize it. When I wrote mine, I looked at it again a month after I had written my original statement, only to realize, the second component of what I thought was how I wanted to pilot the purpose in my life, was what I had defaulted to but not what to me was truly meaningful. This is in fact the reason you want to do this work. Writing a Creative Life Purpose Statement MindfullyYour statement may not include all six of these components but focus more deeply on a select few. Take the time to closely check in with your emotional needs and desires for your life as you think about your life purpose. What has brought you happiness? What has drained you of energy vs built you up? Are you feeling resistance towards any aspects of your desired life purpose (e.g. I “should” or “shouldn’t” include certain things?) This is all part of your process. Commit to your Creative Life Purpose StatementWhen you have finished your statement, you need to take the time to memorize it. To put it in a place of full recall, that you can spout off to anyone who asks you, at any time, anywhere. You want to be able to bring it to the front of your mind on demand when making any decision, big or small. After all, this is going to serve as your guiding light, keeping your life on course, pointed in the direction of your choosing. So go ahead, Creative, as I so often joke in the Creatively offices- stitch yours on a pillow. Creativity Counseling and Creativity Coaching for Help with your Creative Life Purpose StatementCreativity Coaching and Creativity Counseling are a great place to start if you are unsure of your creative priorities. One of the main reasons Creative People begin working with me is with this very question in mind. That is because having clarity here is very powerful! Once you know where you are going, the full powers of your Creative Personality are formidable in getting you there. If you would like to get started, I would love to help:
1) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 2) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. With love and wishing you clarity in finding your North Star, Cindy (c) 2022 Creatively, LLC www.creativelyllc.com Originally Written and Inspired by Artists During the COVID-19 PandemicThis is a blog post that was written originally in 2020, shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic officially came to the USA and lockdowns started happening for the first time. We were entering into week four or so of the health crisis in Maryland. Many of us were feeling patience wearing thin, cabin fever growing strong, hairs on our head growing unruly, and overall uncertainty and impatience waxing. I had been meeting with clients virtually from my home office, and for the first time both watching and experiencing the emotional toll from the same stressors as my clients. In that spirit, on the Creatively blog, I composed the 3 main recommendations I was sharing to survive a crisis and support healthy creative minds in the best possible way, during the early stages of the pandemic. Priorities when Managing a CrisisMy goal is always to support you in your own effort to manage a crisis with your existing support network in place (need a support network? Scrap this article and start there. Not sure where to start? Feel yourself approaching crisis? For a mental health emergency you can STILL CALL 911. Urgent, not emergent? A list of operating mental health urgent resources can be found here under "urgent resources".) Three Steps for Creative Minds to Manage a CrisisThese three steps are specifically designed for Creative Minds, to help stabilize yourself during a crisis. They will not "fix" the crisis, nor are they for urgent or emergent problems (see "priorities" above). They are meant to help you roll with the powerful emotions that are a part of your creative brain, make meaning from what has suddenly interrupted your personal storyline, and readjust your expectations during a difficult time. Let's go a little more in depth to each one of these: Step One: Integrate Strong EmotionsRemember, a creative mind is a passionate mind. It is natural for you to have strong emotions. That means you are likely to be having strong emotional reactions to strong emotional events. That is ok! Mindfulness says the most emotional pain we experience is out of the resistance of an emotional experience rather than the emotional experience itself. In other words, give yourself permission to experience your powerful emotions. Build support around yourself and talk through and express how you are feeling. Those that are emotionally doing the best in this crisis are those that are not resisting the experience. That is not to say they like or are in agreement with things, but it is to say they understand their current variables and have adapted and are integrated to working within them. It is the frequently used sailing analogy within mindfulness- know what forces you cannot change, and by accepting them as such, you now have the freedom to utilize them to get where you want to go and operate within them. This crisis is happening. Integrate. Feel. Support your feelings. Now what are your choices? Step Two: Make Meaning with Daily Creative PracticeYour creative brain craves meaning making. In fact, one of the most important ways you will feel grounded and stay emotionally well in your life is through finding meaning in your experiences. The reverse is also true- creative people commonly fall into emotional difficulty when they struggle to find meaning in experiences. By knowing this, you can harness its power into creating positive forces in your life. For this reason, the world often looks to artists for meaning in experiences throughout history. What is happening in the world right now is historical. How will you satisfy your creative need to make meaning? Spend energy here and watch yourself transform your own experience. Oh- and by the way- if you know me or have read or followed enough of what I have said on Creatively, you know by now my other rule about your creative practice- do it EVERY day! Commit to your daily creative practice every day as your search and investment in making meaning from these experiences. Step Three: Expect Much Less While Doing Much MoreI can’t tell you how many sessions in the past few weeks have started something like this, “I feel like I should be [creatively] doing so much more...” Let me try to put your mind at ease: You are in a crisis. Coping with living through it is doing plenty. Your brain is doing lots of things that just doesn’t produce as much right now. You have to allow for this. This is the rule of crisis. Allow yourself to expect less of yourself. Understand that though it may not always feel like it (though it certainly may!) you are doing so much more, it just is likely to produce much less. That is ok. It is expected. It is not forever. You are basically running uphill. More effort and energy is required than on a flat surface and it feels way less productive and way harder. But- a downhill follows- and your body gains strength from the uphill battle. So- keep pushing- and tell yourself you are doing well! I see you over there- hanging in there, struggling, not giving up, day after day. Every Day is its Own DaySo these are the 3 steps, Creative! Follow, rinse, repeat. Keep your wheels on the ground. Get through one day, go to bed, then get through the next one. I was recently re-inspired by a Caroline Casey quote, “You must hunger and be fully outside of something to truly know it.” Your return to former normal will be so wonderful and you will know it like you never did before. Look forward the most, to that. Creativity Counseling During a CrisisCreatives, if you are struggling, I understand, and I am here for you. I am offering a variety of services to try to support as many needs as one creativity counselor can- so don’t hesitate to reach out and we can talk. Here are three ways we can connect, right now:
1) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. Gaslighting and your Fear of SuccessArtists- this is a loaded subject that could use so many blog posts- and maybe I will write many more. But let’s dive in. I have much to say. What is Gaslighting?In the simplest terms, gaslighting is when your narrative is stolen by another voice. It is when you begin to question your own reality, based upon the willful (usually) manipulation by someone else. You feel convicted and clarity turn to doubts and confusion, because of feedback from external sources. How to Recognize GaslightingThere are classic phrases that you can use to recognize gaslighting, such as “why do you always” and “you are so emotional,” and “can’t you just,” but the theme here is your reality is cast into doubt by blame, accusation or otherwise discrediting you. Oftentimes we hear about gaslighting in relationships. Gaslighting also exists in groups- communities, families or even societal groups question or weaken each other’s points of view in order to elevate their own. Gaslighting is never ok. Gaslighting in the Arts CommunitySometimes gaslighting comes from insecurity and the insidious need to elevate oneself. Other times, gaslighting comes from cultural, familial or societal misunderstandings that become handed down that serve one body of people over another in some way. I believe both exist in the arts community, but the second more than the first is what I have seen most often. There is a lack of information and some broken systems that persist and we continue to believe in. While gaslighting does infer that the perpetrating party is aware of the misinformation and manipulation, even if they are not, the impact to you as the artist, is the same. So for the sake of the next illustrations, we may believe that the parties precipitating the gaslighting behaviors may know better (true gaslighting), or may not (inadvertent or accidental). Gaslighting and your Creative PersonalityYour Creative Personality is important and powerful. It features aspects such as powerful impulses, strong feelings, the need to making meaning, and above all, be creative. Nature has packaged these and other aspects together for you in your personality to prepare you for the enormous energy required to be innovative. However, this is not widely supported in the mental health or medical communities, nor many others (like professional, educational and more.) The result? Creative people are led to believe their emotions are “too much,” their impulses “too strong,” and their creative drives are marginalized. They lead lives that are frustrated, derailed, and misunderstood. I believe this is more an example of misinformation and inadvertent gaslighting behaviors, and more education for social groups and individuals would benefit all! Gaslighting and the Value of your CreativityArtists are regularly undervalued for their creativity. In the marketplace, they are underpaid for their products, in business underpaid for their work. They are regularly told by peers, friends and family they “won’t make any money,” and requests to do work “for free,” are common. This is more purposeful gaslighting because it serves those that perpetuate it! As artists, you are led to believe that your creativity is not valuable, not to charge for or believe in your services, and generally undervalue this most precious part of yourself. What about successful professional artists? How did they get there? Believe, a big part of it was changing this narrative for themselves! Gaslighting and the Fear of SuccessRegularly in Creativity Counseling and Creativity Coaching, we are battling this insidious topic of fear of success. It tends to branch off in one of two main ways: afraid of the life changes that come with succeeding wildly, or fear of seeing what you are truly capable of, including your limitations, when you put your best effort forward. When society, friends and family regularly feed us as artists a narrative that artists fail and our creative work is only worthy of a “hobby,” we are feeding this horrible fear of success. We are giving ourselves messages like “why try?” And “so much is at risk I can’t afford to risk it!” But- if you search your soul deeply- is this also what you believe? Counseling for Artists & Creativity Coaching for GaslightingAn important function of Creativity Counseling in Maryland and Virginia and Creativity Coaching in the US, UK and Canada is to recognize how our belief systems have been impacted by our lives and those around us. Separating beliefs from those created by our lives vs those innate to us is powerful work. Living authentic to yourself is powerful and your path to happiness and success. Start Creativity Counseling & Creativity Coaching for GaslightingIf you are interested in real, impactful and lasting life change for your creative mind, I would love to help you. Let's connect and launch your life to the next level! I have three steps you can take, right now from my site if you are ready to take an important step forward in your life: 1) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. (c) 2022 Creatively, LLC
www.creativelyllc.com Coping Skills are a Temporary FixIt was probably a year or more ago I authored a post on coping skills, titled, “Stop Coping,” (that post can be found here) urging you to look for areas you were settling in or becoming avoidant with overused coping skills. I suggested you discard what wasn’t functional anymore in your life, in order to push yourself forward. Today, in a very different world than the stage set for that advice, we are going to reexamine coping skills, look at their function, and help you help yourself to know when they are needed (and give yourself the permission to use them!) Definition of Coping SkillsCoping skills are to create emotional, psychological and even physical boundaries around something in order to survive it. In other words, a coping does not fix anything, it just allows us to survive that thing. By definition, coping skills are best applied to things that we cannot fix, or at least, not right now, or definitely not all at once. They are a tool to allow us to continue on until we can mindfully accept what we cannot change, and change what we can. When to Use Coping SkillsThe key principle, erring on the side of giving you cliche advice, is knowing the difference between these two. What can you change? If you can change it, don’t forever cope with it (see article from 1 year or so ago). If you can’t change it, do what you can to cope with it- ultimately with the goal of not emotionally resisting your experience to it (because in the resistance lies the suffering). Intentionally Using Coping SkillsIn a globally gridlocked situation, such as a pandemic, we are falling into category 2 in many ways. Give yourself permission please, to cope. Release yourself from high expectations, perfectionism, overly goal oriented behavior, knowing you can return to that and that your ability and skills to achieve will be there waiting for you when you need them. Allow yourself to maintain what is important (read: self care, structure, routine, support system) and do what is otherwise healthy to cope. Coping Skills for Creative PeopleUnsure what coping skills mean for you? I recommend to all my clients to have a written list of these prepared for themselves at all times. They can be wide and varied from distraction techniques, to self soothing, to personal development, to (of course) creative practices and more- this is something that time in counseling can be used to build- personalized for your use. Creativity Counseling to Build Coping SkillsCreativity Counseling is an important way you can both add coping skills to your toolbox, and build your inner knowledge of when to cope or when to push through, and switching back-and-forth with ease. These are important life skills every creative person needs to live successfully. Here are two steps you can take today to work on your coping and start living better: 1) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 2) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. (C) 2022 Creatively, LLC www.creativelyllc.com More Posts Related to Counseling for Creative PeopleContainment for Creative PeopleContainment is a skill often introduced early on in creativity counseling, as a way to manage feelings that arise during session. It is a way of modeling awareness of emotional experiences that can then be transferred to practice in our daily lives. The therapy for artists skill we will explore today is containment. With many practical uses and flavors of applications to try, we will focus on an introduction to and some basics of the skill. Containment is a Temporary SolutionThe goal of containment, unsurprisingly, is to contain, in this case, feelings. Containment as a skill refers to the process of containing, and this is something important to learn and practice. Once you have learned how to contain, your next task will be identifying when you need the skill and using it during those times. Collaboration with your creativity counselor is an important part to all of this, circularly, because containing feelings is a temporary solution. Ultimately we want to be able to experience and not resist our feelings, as in mindfulness practices, but there are experiences in our lives, past and present, that it is beneficial to temporarily contain. Containment is Useful for Creative PeopleWhat needs to be contained? In Creativity Counseling, we are probably talking about emotions, and strong ones. The function of an emotion is to communicate something to you through its expression, and to thwart that natural process by containing it means two things: 1) The emotional experience is likely too powerful to have all at once, and 2) you do not feel in control of the emotional experience. Creative people are passionate people, and whatever the source of your emotions, good or bad, you will feel them strongly. That makes containment an especially important skill to learn. The Containment Balloon for Therapy for ArtistsI will give you an example I often give to children I work with. Imagine a balloon representing you, and the air in the balloon representing emotions. The natural experience of this balloon is to be inflated and deflated, inflated and deflated. In this fashion, a normal flow of emotions comes and goes in our lives. If suddenly too much air inflates the balloon, then we have a deviation of the natural experience and now a larger volume of air to manage. If the larger volume of air is released all at once, the balloon flies all around without control. If the larger volume of air is not released at all, when more air inevitably inflates it, the balloon can burst. Containment represents a process in which we learn to let out some of the air, close off the balloon, let out more, close it again, etc. How to Practice ContainmentSo far so good. How is containment done? Like many things in Creativity Therapy- the answer is: it depends on what works for you. Your goal is to try to find a way to close yourself off from experiencing too many feelings at once and being debilitated by them. Remember- you don’t want to close yourself off forever, but you do need a system to do this periodically, allowing you to control how, when and how much you experience emotion. In creativity counseling, we will work together to devise a system to help you do this. Some people are successful with a physical ritual, like closing up their office at the end of a stressful day. Others do well with a meditation, visualizing locking up a box with the emotions inside. There are as infinite a number of ways to do this as your creativity will allow. When to Practice Containment as An ArtistOnce you have devised a system of containment, your second step will be identifying when you need it, and using it at that time. Sounds simple. It isn’t. But it is worth your troubles, because it is very effective. Containment is a process taught universally in mental health to help people cope with powerful experiences, and it can also work for you! Learning to identify when you have powerful feelings and to implement strategies like containment to help you manage them, is something that creativity counseling is designed to do! Learn Containment with Creativity Counseling for ArtistsLike any new skill, all therapy skills have a learning curve. This means it will require patience, perseverance and repetition to get good at it. Therapy skills are often less tangible than other things we may learn, and too often I will hear a client give up and say something doesn’t work, simply because they haven’t practiced long enough. It can be harder to stick to something you can’t physically see. Remember to do something new or different is to change and change is a process that takes time- so stick to it! Take one of these two steps and you can get started with Creativity Counseling and managing difficult feelings. Powerful emotions are part of normal experiences for Creative People, and you can manage them in a healthy way! 1) Take Courses in Creativity. Learning ways to manage big feelings is a first step you can take- and many more are available to you! Courses on reclaiming your strengths, living creatively, and learning and using therapy skills every day to live well are at your fingertips. 2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. More Articles like, Containment in Therapy:Creative People, Creativity and Psychology, Crisis of Meaning, Coaching Creative People, Mental Health and Creativity, Creative People, Creative Personality and Anxiety, Make Time for Art, A Creative Personality Snapshot, Creativity for HSPs, Creativity and Dream Theory, Duality and Creativity, Creating Holistically
What is your Inner Critic?It shows up differently for all of us, but somehow in a way that is so familiar. The self doubt. The feelings of inferiority. The fear. Each of us has an inner critic, and most of us has an inner critic that is healthy with a strong voice. How are you impacted by yours? In this article, we explore the role of the Artist's inner critic, and healthy ways to manage this inner voice. Don’t Fight with the CriticFirst things first. It's not a great use of time to fight with your inner critic. This is a fight you will lose at worst, and never stop fighting at best. You are equally matched with yourself, you see. Therefore, anything you can give your critic, she can fire right back at you. It is not productive to engage with her in this way. You don’t have to try to shut her up, or shut her down. You also don’t have to invest in what she has to say. Don't feel like that gives you a lot of options? Let's try an exercise. Try this Inner Critic ExerciseHave you ever intentionally given your inner critic a voice, just to see how absurd/powerful/angry/mean/difficult/etc she can be? Let’s take some of her power away by exposing her. Perhaps just for the sake of the exercise, and not by way of practice, we will engage her in a dialogue (fully realizing this is a monologue ;) ) Write it down, as you go. It might look something like this: Inner Critic: “You know if you drop the ball on one thing, everything will fall apart” You: “I have feared that for a long time just because I was on my own for so long. That has nothing to do with this. But thanks.” Inner Critic: “You know you are really not ever going to be good enough to be recognized. See that spot over there? It’s pretty bad. It’s showing all the other artists that you are pretty bad. See how no-one liked your piece when you posted it? They couldn’t even be bothered because it is just that boring.” You: “Dude! Yikes! I actually like it, it came from my soul, and if you step back and gaze at it from your heart, it’s really quite beautiful. I paint from my heart. You are truly quite wounded.” Inner Critic: “I have no response to that.” You: “What would it look like if your criticism was constructive and not wounding? Inner Critic: “…” You: “Can you even do that?” Inner Critic: “Can you even make me do that?” You:”…” When you are finished with your exercise, write a little bit about your experience and what you discovered about yourself and your relationship with your IC. What is something you can do differently as you move forward, in your relationship with it? Can you dramatize it, to take its power away? Give it a name that makes you take it less seriously? Repeat this exercise as a regular part of your journaling? Acknowledge it without engaging it? Add your ideas to your thoughts about the exercise. An Inner Critic Story from the Life of a Creativity CoachI have shared before that this past year, as part of fulfilling a life-long dream, I have taken up horseback riding. It is something that has challenged every part of me. Certainly the riding is difficult, but even more so, is the horsemanship. Horses are highly intelligent, and have a way of humbling you. Repeatedly. Especially my mare- she seems to know how I am feeling, where my weaknesses are, and exactly how to exploit them. She is demanding me to become a better horsewoman than I feel ready to be. So I regularly find myself at a juncture with her: push myself beyond my self doubt and fears, or walk away from my life-long dream. Why Conquering your Inner Critic MattersBelieve me when I say I understand, both on a literal and metaphoric level, the challenges of facing self doubt, feelings of inferiority, and fear. I have faced them as an artist. I have faced them when my twelve-thousand pound horse challenges me and I have to challenge her back. But consider what is at stake, and consider the gains. Will you push beyond your self doubt and fears? Or will you risk walking away from your life-long dreams? Because when the stakes are so high, so are the rewards. Everything you want, Creative, is on the other side of that fear, that doubt, that lack of self-belief. Do Something Important and Creative TodayI challenge you to face your self doubts and fears. I challenge you to confront your inner critic and show her you are the stronger energy. The bigger power. Do something important today to show up for yourself and your creativity and start your journey with Creativity Coaching. You can take one of these two steps right now: 1) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed.
2) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. Dear Artist Drawing in the Margins of your Papers,Dear College Student at your Easel Late at Night in an Empty Studio,Dear Musician Rehearsing the Same Two Measures and Stumbling for the Thousandth Time,Dear High Schooler Feeling Feelings so Big You Might Burst while Trying to Express yourself through Poetry and Feeling Overwhelmed by What Comes out,I see you.I see you.Dear Parents who Struggled for Acceptance as you Fought for Authenticity in the World and now Ache Watching your Children doing the Same,I see you.Dear Writer Staring at a Blinking Cursor as Time Ticks by with a Book in your Heart but no Words in your Mind,Dear Performer Sitting at Another Casting Call Full of Talent Hoping this is Finally the Time you Stand Out,I see you.Dear Painter Scrolling through Hundreds of Accomplished Artists Online while your Canvas Sits Empty or Unfinished Beside You,I see and know your struggles. I know that the world is failing you, overwhelming you and leaving you behind in their efforts to help. I know that your experiences and needs are unique and special. My experiences were like this, too. I felt the loneliness and helplessness that come with Creativity. But- I believed in the importance of my creativity. Just like I believe in the importance of yours. You have the potential to change the future for the better. Your future. The future for all of us. Your creativity is everything you need. I have dedicated my career to understanding this to be true. To understanding your needs as a Creative Person, and the inner workings of your Creative Personality. I have built a philosophy to support you in your life. I know you can experience ease and success in your life with the creative gifts you were born with. Creativity Counseling and Creativity CoachingThe application and work of my philosophy is found in Creativity Counseling and Creativity Coaching. And I developed it just for Creative People. Like you. Creativity CounselingCreativity Counseling is founded upon your natural strengths as a Creative Person. When you understand your strengths, and harness them in healthy and productive ways, you will live a life filled with ease. Your natural creative strengths, when they serve you, are so powerful that as surely as when they are aimless they are destructive, when they are focused in healthy and productive ways, are massively life changing. In Creativity Counseling, you become intimately acquainted with and empowered by your Creative Personality. You learn how powerful emotions, drive towards meaning making and authenticity, and more, are important and stabilizing forces. You learn practical, real-life tools to embrace, not suppress, how you experience the world. You understand that your key to happiness is true authenticity with yourself and the world around you Creativity CoachingCreativity Coaching is the gift creative flow that comes when you embrace your creative identity fully. Does your soul demand that you write? Make music? Paint? Dance? Unlock your true potential by claiming yourself fully as a writer, musician, artist, or dancer. No more “when’s” or “if’s” or other rules- if your soul demands a creative expression- embrace it with a passion! Experience clarity and ease when you give yourself permission to actualize what your creative soul desires of you. This permission is your first step to finding the “North Star” you will use for making daily decisions in your life. Creative flow comes from the purposefulness in knowing where you are going. It allows you to make aligned decisions that serve your greater purpose, and live a life filled with meaning. Creative flow builds from regular creative practice as you continue to making meaning from your life experiences with your art. These are some of the most important aspects of Creativity Coaching! Dear Creative Looking for Help because you are Hurting,Sometimes your hurt and struggle are your heart and soul showing up for what truly matters to you in your life. I believe your creativity truly matters, and is your most important healing and stabilizing force. I have experienced this to be true in my own life, in my research, in my education, and with hundreds of Creative People I have listened to and worked with. I am passionate about the future of the world as only you, Dear Creative, can dream it. I know you feel deeply. I dare you not to stop. It is my passion to help and support you. If you believe I can help, I would love to talk to you about what I can offer. Love,Cindy(c) 2022 Creatively, LLC, Cindy Cisneros, LCPC-S, LPC, Creativity Coach
www.creativelyllc.com Creativity Coaching for Artists, Writers, Performers, and EntrepreneursCreativity Coaching in Maryland, Virginia, Utah, Georgia, Maine, New York, California and beyond, Creativity Coaching is available throughout the United States and Canada!Get Unstuck in Life with a Creativity Coaching Plan Designed Just for YouCreativity Coaching is a customized, action-oriented approach to helping, for the Creative Person. If you have felt unsure, confused, or frustrated by your creative future, working with a Creativity Coach will give you what you need to thrive. Creativity Coaching is your personal handbook for creativity and success. The first step in creativity coaching is to work with me as your Creativity Coach to develop a customized plan. Together we will build focus and direction to help you meet your creative goals. In just one session, you will get unstuck and begin to see the creative future you desire. I want you to experience the relief at the nearness of that future with real, concrete steps to help you reach your goals! Creativity Coaching Benefits-Establish a regular, fulfilling creative practice -Create with confidence and ease -Design a creative future that is aligned with your values and lifestyle -Implement step-by-step processes to take you from your current creative work to your creative future -Address internal obstacles like inner critic and perfectionism -Automate processes that bog you down to create more ease in your workflow -Build a creative network within your arts community -Innovate systems and pathways to connect to your niche marketplace -Focus on day-to-day practices to keep you on track -Connect you with the support of other artists and creators through the Creatively Residency Program -Empower you as a creative professional! Working with a Creativity CoachIf you feel a call in your soul to make meaning in your life with your creative work, but feel lost, stuck, or unsure where to start, Creativity Coaching was designed to get you into a state of ease and flow. Creativity Coaching is designed by other creative minds in entrepreneurship with our expert knowledge of the creative industry, the creative mind and success, and how to navigate the specific challenges faced by a creative person. As your Creativity Coach, I understand healthy habits of the creative mind that lead to success, and how to reshape and better support what is going wrong. Creative work is demanding work and Creativity Coaching is designed brings expert support and knowledge to you so you can live the life of your dreams. A Powerful Philosophy of Healing for the Creative, Smart, and ArtisticI have built my practice at Creatively, LLC, upon a basic, 3 part philosophy for helping people with creative, smart and artistic brains. Everything I do with my clients is centered upon this philosophy that I have researched, developed, tested, practiced myself, and watched those I work with implement and flourish. The fundamentals of this philosophy are 2 important things: 1, that creative personalities are distinct, and have commonalities and should be treated and supported as such, and 2, that creative people need to create in order to stay well. My philosophy for helping is to 1, you must know your creative personality thoroughly, 2, you must learn the tools to support it fully, and 3, you must put your natural creative energies to work towards what brings you meaning in your life. When you do these 3 things successfully, you will be able to actualize your dreams! How you can Change your Life Today!If you are interested in real, impactful and lasting life change for your creative mind, I would love to help you. Let's connect and launch your life to the next level! I have three steps you can take, right now from my site if you are ready to take an important step forward in your life:
1) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 3) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. Online CoachingOnly the Best Online Coaching for Creative PeopleCreative People, Creative Entrepreneurs, Professional Artists and others seeking Coaching services lead busy lives! I am pleased to offer you the versatility of coaching services online. I am excited to offer you Online Creativity Coaching Services Nationwide, throughout the United States!
Virtual & Email Creativity Coaching SessionsOnline Creativity Coaching sessions are conducted in one of two formats: virtual live sessions or email asynchronous sessions. A combination of these coaching styles will design your coaching package. Virtual sessions are conducted with your Coaching Plan open, and in front of us as a guide. We will discuss your progress, obstacles and problem solve together. You will have space to explore where you are stuck and I will support you and help you untangle seen and unseen problems in both supportive and directive ways. Email sessions are conducted in specific support of virtual sessions, or as check-ins in between them. The content of the email check-ins is always used in a very intentional and supportive way related to your coaching plan, as all of our work together will be! Choose an Existing Online Creativity Coaching Package & Get Help NowThree Creativity Coaching Packages have been designed with you in mind- book one today and get help now! 1) Choose the Intro Package The Creativity Coaching Intro Package features one 30 minute virtual coaching session and 4 email coaching sessions. This Package is specifically designed for new coaching clients to try out the Creativity Coaching process with a specific goal in mind. It is the lowest level of engagement and commitment and a good way to see if coaching is right for you! 2) Choose the Engagement Package The Creativity Coaching Engagement Package includes your 90 minute virtual coaching and planning session with a customized written Coaching Plan, one 50 minute virtual coaching session, and one email coaching session. This package is perfect if you want to try out the full breadth of coaching services, and have in your hand a personalized plan for you to continue to use to work towards your creative future. This is the mid-range level of engagement and commitment and a good way to really move the needle on your goals! 3) Choose the Support Package The Creativity Coaching Support Package includes your 90 minute virtual coaching and planning session with a customized written Coaching plan, three 50 minute virtual coaching sessions, and two email coaching sessions. This package represents a full month of coaching services. It is perfect if you are ready to dive into coaching head-on and do the work to make important changes in your creative life! This is the highest level of engagement and commitment and the best way to make serious progress towards your future dreams. Customize an Online Creativity Coaching Package to Meet your NeedsCreativity Coaching services are offered in combination over live sessions and email sessions, and these services can be customized to meet your individual needs. I would be happy to meet with you for a free consultation to talk about your creative goals and how I can help you meet them with a customized Online Creativity Coaching Package.
ADHD in Creative PeopleA frequent client of Creativity Counseling presents with symptoms and/or a diagnosis of ADHD. Symptoms of ADHD are presentations that mimic traits of creative personalities- you don't need to be afraid of them! You can reclaim them! Creative Children with ADHD Signs & SymptomsWe can further subdivide this group into what I (unofficially) call "dreamer" type and "builder" types: "Dreamer" type ADHD symptoms look like "zoning out," distractibility, trouble concentrating, changing focus from one task to another, organizing logistics, and frustration when plans change, I call this type the "dreamer" type, because this type is highly intuitive, creative and invested in their own creative world, and is often highly intelligent in visual arts, reading and writing. "Builder" type ADHD symptoms look like difficulty concentrating also, but especially when not interested in the task at hand, while hyper focus can occur with tasks they are interested in, as well as hyper motor functioning, both in sound (sound effects and/or chattiness) wiggliness, problems sitting still. I call this type the "builder" type because this type is often highly intelligent in STEM subjects like math, science and engineering. Let's get this out of the way: just because a child shows characteristics of ADHD does NOT mean they have DIAGNOSABLE ADHD. Many if not most children who are highly creative will demonstrate characteristics of builder and/or dreamer type ADHD. Certainly it is important to recognize when diagnosis of a clinical disorder is necessary, and I will provide supportive care to that end, but what I will also do, is back you down when you are feeling overwhelmed, and help you see when a creative child can be supported as such and you can feel empowered with the skillset your kiddo was born with!
Creative Adults with ADHD Signs & SymptomsSo you have muddled through your life with overwhelm. You have struggled through making schedules and to-do lists. Organization and decision making is not your forte. Emotional regulation is difficult. You have wondered about ADHD, but felt embarrassed. Maybe you have been diagnosed or a medical person has suggested testing to you. Maybe you have been diagnosed as a child and hoped things would be better by now- that you would outgrow some of this stuff. Did you know that being highly Creative can look like ADHD, and these difficulties can actually be your creative strengths in disguise?! Many symptoms of ADHD and your Creative Personality are the same. Which one do you have? Maybe both. Maybe you have been misdiagnosed and it has been your Creative Personality that has needed supporting all along! It all has to do with that ever-important executive functioning center. Creative Adults, ADHD and the BrainYour executive functioning is the RAM of your brain. It is where "what is happening now" is getting processed- and the size and ability is limited (read: only so much can happen at once). Let's add to this what we know about Creative Personalities: You Live Large. Large feelings, need for meaning, drive for authenticity, investment in activities. When one of these tasks is "online" it takes up most of your RAM. If we apply this concept to what we know of ADHD, suddenly we are seeing a clearer picture! Imagine yourself doing the last thing you really enjoyed, then how difficult it was to feel interrupted? Or, conversely, how hard was it to focus on something that you really did not want to do? While both of these could be signs of ADHD, they are also hallmarks of a Creative Personality with big feelings- strong investment filling executive functioning making it hard to disengage, or, strong aversion filling executive functioning making it hard to engage. Having a Creative Personality is a wonderful gift- but you need to know the controls and how to drive- otherwise you can be left feeling confused and overwhelmed instead of empowered and in a state of natural flow. Creativity Counseling for Creative People and ADHDWhen you are wondering about symptoms of ADHD, or have struggled with issues in executive functioning, by understanding your Creative brain, and learning how to support your Creative Personality, you will be able to live your life in a state of flow and ease by working with your natural born tools, rather than fighting against them! If you are ready to end the struggle and start living with your natural born strengths, Creativity Counseling is for you! A Note About Creativity, ADHD & Analysis ParalysisOne of the most difficult things ADHD and Creative Personalities have in common, is "AP" or "Analysis Paralysis." That is, the difficulty in making decisions. You find yourself doing all the research, weighing all the outcomes, and still get stuck between choices, afraid to take the leap. There are two main drivers in your Creative Personality, also featured in ADHD that can account for your struggle:
Strong Emotions and ADHD2. Strong Emotions. You have weighed pros and cons. You have done all the research. Twice. In short- your choice is important and you are invested! When strong emotions (and for Creative People emotions are strong!) are online, your executive functioning center is pretty full, and your decision making ability doesn't have much room left to operate. Result? Analysis paralysis and overwhelm. The healthy reset? Using skills like mindfulness you can learn to work with your strong emotions rather than against them, freeing up space to make important decisions! Treatment for Creative People with ADHDWhen Analysis Paralysis strikes, there are accessible, usable redirects to work with your strengths rather than fighting against yourself. When you you are able to see your creative personality clearly, you can use your natural-born skills to live your life with ease!
I am here to help! Get the specialized help you need and start services for your Creative Mind today: 1) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem solve and hand-pick best next steps to help you succeed. 2) Book a Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages- let's get started with one that is right for you. updated 01/17/22 Hello, Creative Artist <3Have you been feeling a lack of energy in your creative practice? Have you been feeling isolated and lonely from friends and other artists? Have you lost sight of your creative purpose or experienced a loss in your creative meaning-making? Artists IsolatedThe past few years have impacted artists in diverse ways- but these are some of the themes I have been hearing in the Creatively rooms, and I have been working on creating something I can do to help. Virtual Artists Residency ProgramI would like to invite you to my new initiative at Creatively: the Virtual Artists Residency Program! Artist Residency Programs are designed to give artists dedicated time and space to their creative work. I am adding to this dedicated virtual space to connect with each other, with my professional tips and guidance to help you creatively get back on track. Benefits of a Virtual Artists Residency ProgramDuring the Artist Residency Program, you can expect: 1) To create studio space for yourselves that feels productive and allows you to work with a sense of ease 2) To begin to work within the structure of your daily life and commit to a daily practice for your artwork 3) To experience a sense of purpose and regular guidance, structure, and tools of residency 4) To experience benefits of regular work when you dedicate time and resources to yourself daily 5) You will participate in an online community of other artists in residency for support, motivation, and guidance 6) You will meet goals of your choosing during your residency and present your work to each other in the community of artists 7) You will learn the importance of dedicated time, space, routine, commitment, and community to personal goals and progress as an artist 8) You will have the opportunity to add additional support with coaching add-ons throughout the residency Join the Community and Start your Artists ResidencyI would love to have you join us in this exciting community. The artists residency program is open and ongoing- you can join us anytime. There is no sign-up deadline! If you are interested in participating in the artists residency program, email me for your members-only login info to get started. That's it! There is nothing else that you need to join. I am so pleased to share this opportunity with each of you. This wonderful community of artists is free for you to access- please take advantage and join us! Updated 01/17/2022
(c) 2022 Creatively, LLC, Cindy Cisneros, LCPC-S, LPC, Creativity Coach www.creativelyllc.com |
get more from The Creativity CoursesLiking educational topics and knowing what's hot in creativity? Creatively has online courses, with an interactive creative community, coaching sessions and more in the Creativity Courses. Want these blogposts in a newsletter? Subscribe here, and get a free gift. Cindy Cisnerosis a Creativity Coach, Creativity Counselor and Professional Artist in Sykesville, Maryland. She provides Online Creativity Counseling in Maryland and Virginia, and Online Creativity Coaching throughout the USA, Canada and the UK. The information provided in this blog is from my own clinical experiences and training. It is intended to supplement your clinical care. Never make major life changes before consulting with your treatment team. If you are unsure of your safety or wellbeing, do not hesitate to get help immediately.
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