Psychology of Creativity During the Holidays

12/13/2022

As you are learning about your creative personality, and embracing your strength, you will begin to make other changes in how you live in what serves you and what doesn’t- what parts of your life were chosen for others, and what parts of your life you chose for yourself.

Creative People and Holiday Values

Let’s consider the upcoming holidays. In mainstream society in the United States, at least, they have become about commercialism, conformity and displays of wealth. We try to give, eat, decorate and display, bigger, better, and more, it seems, with every passing year. Without making value statements about it- that is not my purpose here- I want to instead, take a moment for you to consider what aspects of your current holiday celebrations serve you, and which don’t. A good tool for doing so, is through mindfulness.

Mindfulness as a Tool for Creative People

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By now you have had some introduction to what mindfulness is and some ways to use it in your life. Mindfulness is beautifully simple and uncomplicated. When we are mindful, we are quieting the mind and focusing on our present experiences. Even those of us that feel seasoned and successful in mindfulness practices can get diverted from this state of being during the Holiday Season.

Expectations vs. Reality

Part of the problem with the Holidays is we want them to “be” something. Therefore, we have expectations for them. We compare out and feel pressure to deliver certain things to those around us. Usually these are with the intention of giving the perfect Holiday Season to others. This year, I give you permission to be a little more selfish. Ask yourself what makes the Holidays memorable and special for you? Of the list of things you “have to do” for your Holiday Season- why do items make that list? Let’s make mindful choices this year for how and why we celebrate. Try this simple exercise (as always I advise not to do these exercises without the guidance of therapy sessions- so let’s schedule one of those, too!):

Simple Holiday Mindfulness Exercise for Creatives

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Make a list, drawing or representation of your choosing of what you plan to do for this Holiday Season. If that is already too overwhelming (hmm) then choose one holiday for the exercise. When you are finished, go through each thing you plan to do and “mini-meditate” on it. Consider it. Scan your emotions, scan your body. As you consider this thing, how does your body react? With tension? With warmth? What are your emotions associated with this thing? Stress, joy, something else? Ask yourself, why do you do this thing during the Holidays? For yourself, for others? Allow your mind to consider and hold this information as you think about this first thing. Your goal this year is a peaceful, mindful, happy Holiday Season. Does this thing fit into that picture? Continue the exercise as you go through all your plans. Amend them to take away or add what brings you closer to a more peaceful and enjoyable Holiday Season. Allow yourself to feel the anxiety of eliminating things you might be accustomed to doing from your list. Give yourself permission to do something different.

Focusing Less on "Perfect"

So often when there are big calendar events like during the Holiday Season, we become so focused on outcomes and making them “perfect,” we miss enjoying them for what they really can be: peace, happiness, family, love, fulfillment and more. This year your new Holiday Tradition is yourself: create a more mindful Holiday Season.

Ready to Learn More Psychology for Creative People?

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If you are a creative person, are interested in the psychology of creativity, have questions about either of these, or would like to have a free consultation to talk more about anything that you have read on this website and/or in this article, I would love to talk to you. Here are some steps you can take from this article to learn more:
1) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free therapy or creativity coaching 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) 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.
3) Book a Creativity Coaching Package. Are you a working Creative in need of specific support? I offer a range of Coaching Packages from 150$- let's get started with one that is right for you.