Intense Pressure for Creative People

10/10/2022

There are traditional models and modes of understanding established through research about creativity and stress. The difficulty is, over time, these models have begun to contradict each other.

What is True About Stress and Creativity?

You may have heard the one theory, that, stress is the enemy of creativity. Conversely, it has been said that creative ideas are born and evolve under pressure. Which of these is true? They both seem logical. That is because- they both, in fact, are true at different times for different people.

How Does Stress Impact the Creative Process?

I recently stumbled upon a wonderful article by Daniel Kuntz1 in which he succinctly summarizes some of this research, and a more moderate conclusion in Creativity Research: “The trick, then, is knowing your stressors—though it is also a matter of knowing how much you can take" (M. Runco, University of Georgia, by D Kuntz). In other words, what Kuntz describes that Runco found, is that knowing your optimal stress level, as well as what your stressors are, are the most important features in knowing how pressure and stress impacts your creative process.

Thriving in High-Pressure or Low-Pressure Spaces

Picture of working creatives around a table during a meeting. Counseling for creative people in Virginia or coaching for creative people in Maryland can help you find balance between anxiety and creativity via online therapy with a creativity coach.

Human Sciences have increasingly moved towards behaviors, emotions, experiences and more as existing on a spectrum, more than previously-used stand-alone diagnoses, terms, etc. This has also been an increasingly accepted definition for stress. It makes sense that not the same amount of stress or pressure would a ff ect a Creative Person in the same way. Some Creative People thrive with deadlines, in competitions, and with high levels of pressure (like our earlier example of research: necessity as the birth of creativity). Other Creative People thrive with low to no stress or pressure in order to generate new ideas (like the models stating stress is the enemy to creativity). And- of course- examples abound in between these two points.

Different Strokes for Different Folx

A second important factor noted in Creativity Research is that what is considered stressful is not the same for everyone. Events, for example, generally labeled “good” by society, science, etc, may be experienced as stressful by some, and non-stressful by others, and vice-versa. Similarly, adopting a spectrum approach to how stressful events and conditions are to you, and getting to know yourself well as an individual is imperative. There are vast differences between levels of stress, for example, between living environment conditions, social conditions, noise levels, social events, life events and many, many more.

Drop the Labels

Picture of a black man looking at his phone and smiling. Creative people can thrive on stress and pressure in a way that makes them succeed. Counseling for creative people in Maryland or Virginia can help you find your creative balance around anxiety and stress here.

As you develop clarity about your optimal level of pressure, and what conditions create this pressure and stress for you (and a separate debate could be had to emphasize the importance of shedding the label of “good” or “bad” for the terms “stress” and “pressure,” for, in these equations they are merely formulaic and descriptive), your next task is understanding how to mitigate your levels of stress. Have you evaluated generally what levels of stress and pressure exist in your life? How does that compare to what you find optimal for your creativity? Now, as creative people, we as ourselves, what factors help us change that level of stress and pressure more towards what we find is optimum?

Optimal Creative Conditions: Stress and Pressure Included

Understanding how to mitigate your stress and pressure in order to be optimally creative is hard work. Implementing is even more difficult. It demands that you reflect and know yourself as a Creative Person, including the strengths and weaknesses of your Creative Personality, and well as knowing yourself and your intentions as an artist including your creative process, and what is beneficial or disruptive to that.

Picture of a woman sitting against a wall with double exposure technique showing the sunset reflecting on her head. Coaching for creative people and counseling for creative people can help in Richmond, VA and Baltimore, MD or via online therapy for artists and creatives in Maryland and Virginia.

Consider Coaching or Counseling for Creative People

Considering stress and pressure as factors you can understand and manipulate in order to benefit yourself and your creativity is a new way of looking at your Creative Self. If you are interested in empowering yourself in this way, I would love to talk to you. Here are some steps you can take right now, to start your journey as a healthy and successful Creative Person:

Discover the Science of Creativity: So you think you might have a creative personality, and are interested in learning more about creative practice, and the science of creativity. Learn more, here!
Schedule a free Consultation: All new clients at Creatively, LLC are guaranteed one free, 15-minute virtual consultation. You have access to my calendar here, to book your own, and I will see you soon, to discuss how to get started on your own life-changing journey!
Book a Coaching Package: Want to see a selection of pre-designed Creativity Coaching options? Choose from one of 3 options to get started today-reserve your full package of chosen services without delay!