But sometimes the flow of creativity varies
Despite my newfound love of being a planner – and plotting the newest fiction novels I’m working on – I am still a pantser at heart.
What that means is, from time to time, is that I still enjoy sitting at my keyboard and writing by the seat of my pants.
This has become largely applicable to my nonfiction. Sometimes I have an idea for the topic – but more often than not, it comes to me in a moment of inspiration – and then writing begins.
This was not easy today.
Usually, I have a set routine. I get up in the morning and read a chapter of fiction and another of nonfiction. Then, my wife and I go for a walk – or I ride the stationary bike. After that, I edit the blog for today and post it.
That complete, I generally begin tomorrow’s blog.
I write articles 6 days a week. All of these, save one, now follow a specific topical schedule.
- Monday: Positivity (Medium and Titanium Don)
- Tuesday and Saturday: Creativity and artistic process (Medium and MJ Blehart)
- Wednesday: Pathwalking (Medium and Titanium Don)
- Thursday: Health and wellness (Medium)
- Friday: Something about mindfulness, conscious reality creation, and the like (Medium)
Hence, I knew where this article would fall. Yet I found myself stuck.
I tried one idea and let it go. Then came up with another while meditating – but forgot to write it down and lost it.
Which brought me to this idea. Creativity is always active within me – and most other creatives. But the flow is quite variable.
Thus, I would like to explore here how creativity flows.
Like flowing water
I have always visualized creativity the same way I visualize universal energies. They are in a constant state of flow like a river or stream.
Thus, that flow will sometimes take turns, meet obstacles, carry things within its current, and so on.
There are three ways to work with and experience the flow of creativity. All are valid, and no one is necessarily better than the other. It’s largely a matter of how you are or are not aware of it.
Float within it
I think this is how most people approach their creative process. Particularly the hobbyists.
When you spend most of your time in a non-creative job or life experience – and only take up an art from time to time – you get into the flow. The current carries you along as you write your story, paint the painting, sculpt the clay, and so on.
It’s always active like any river or stream – you just might be a long way from it.
For the most part – this is a temporary connection to creative energy.
Sink into the creative flow
This is an immersion into creativity. But like floating within the flow, this is also a more temporary connection.
This is when you have a more routine practice. You make more collective time to do the art. This might be a hobbyist – or someone just starting in the direction of a professional.
When you do work on your creativity – even part-time – it becomes your world. You immerse yourself and sink into the flow. You get majorly connected to those energies – at least, for a time.
Sinking into the flow is more active and intentional. It’s a choice to get into a creative mindset – whatever form that takes for you.
Become the flow
When I decided it was right for me to be a professional creative – I realized that goes super far.
Rather than just float with the flow of creativity – or sink into it – you merge with it. You become it.
When you become the flow of creativity, you take on a notion of constant, non-stop creativity. Because creativity – like energy – is always present and transmutes from form to form to form.
Merging with the flow is only different from floating on it or immersing yourself within it because you choose the deep connection. This is how I suspect most professionals – if they analyzed this – would see it.
Actors, singers, writers, painters, sculptors, chefs, and all other professional creatives are always “on.” Hence why they can perform at a moment’s notice – they are one with the creative flow.
Even with the flow being always one – sometimes it is variable. As though someone is working the tap to lessen or increase output.
The flow of creativity varies
The main variable I encounter in this manner is my mindset/headspace/psyche self. Mindfulness, of course.
When I was working to come up with this topic, I had to actively think about it. Thus, I needed to be mindful of my thoughts and feelings. Once I did that – it was as if I opened up the tap to get the water flowing.
Though I am always flowing with creativity – it is never at a single, constant level. That’s because it will be impacted by my mood, location, and other variables and outside influences. And that then impacts my thoughts and feelings.
If I am mindful – I am intentional, I have control over what I am thinking, how and what I am feeling, and what I am doing. But if I am not practicing mindfulness, my subconscious is doing the driving.
Mindfulness puts me in touch with my conscious inner being – my mindset/headspace/psyche. With that, I have control over where, what, why, how, and who I am. Thus, allowing me to adjust the flow of creativity.
Whether you float in creativity, immerse yourself, or become one with the energy – enjoy the time you make, find, and/or have with it. Creativity in all its forms grows, changes, and evolves the world. When you work with creativity you actively take part in that.
This is empowering. And more empowerment is good for everyone.
How do you connect to the flow of creativity?
Thank you for being part of my ongoing journey, for joining me, and for inspiring me and my craft.
This is the one-hundred and sixteenth article exploring the ongoing creative process. Please take a moment to check out the collection of my published works, which can be found here.
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