As a creative, this can manifest itself in multiple forms.
Every creative has their own process. No two writers, painters, sculptors, chefs, or other artists are completely identical. Just like no two people, even identical twins, are completely identical. Yet there are patterns, behaviors, and other elements that are a general background people will fall into to one degree or another.
Take writers, for example. By and large, we fall into two main categories – pantsers and planners. The former works within little structure, sitting down to do their work, while the latter creates a plan for the work before they do it. This is a generality, of course. The forms these take are as variable as the creatives that take them.
In my experience, creatives are thinkers. How else can you take abstract concepts and turn them into stories, paintings, sculptures, furniture, and the like? Creative thought is where it all begins.
One of the biggest obstacles to creating is overthinking. That manifests itself in several different ways. Often, they’re so subtle that you don’t recognize them until you’ve self-sabotaged.
What does overthinking look like?
Here’s an example that might or might not look familiar. You have a creative idea. It begins to occupy a large swath of your brain power. You analyze it, and start to consider how to turn the idea – be it a story, food prep, fiber art, or whatever – into a tangible reality.
Maybe you begin and maybe not. Either way, additional analysis takes place. You might also begin to question the efficacy of the creation, its validity, and sometimes even your validity. Now you find yourself thinking about it from multiple angles and evaluating it more than working on it.
One of three things tends to happen next. Analysis paralysis sets in, and the idea gets put on hold or just doesn’t come to fruition. You start and stop the work so often that you lose interest in it. Or you do the work halfheartedly, with frequent stops to adjust it, and either produce something lesser or nothing at all.
There is, however, a fourth possibility. You recognize that you are overthinking it, take a momentary step back to regain your focus, and then create your art.
Overthinking can be utterly subtle. Yet when you overthink, it can delay, sabotage, or otherwise alter the creative process.
Recognizing overthinking is its own challenge.
Manifestations of overthinking
Overthinking tends to interfere with doing the work. One of its more pernicious manifestations is perfectionism. Recognizing this, there’s a great quote attributed to Sheryl Sandberg:
“Done is better than perfect.”
Overthinking tends to distract you from doing the work. For example, an author starts to write a novel. About halfway through, overthinking where the story is going, they go back and edit. Every time they continue from where they left off, they pause and go back and edit again. This can be such all-encompassing overthinking that before long, they can’t finish the work.
I frequently advise other writers to finish what you’re working on. Until you reach the end, do not edit. The exception to this is if something has changed so drastically that you must go back to drop hints or foreshadow. But even then, it’s often better to take notes and keep moving forward to get it done.
Perfectionism is a manifestation of overthinking. So are distractions, excuses, and adding to work before finishing it.
To be fair, this can be a fine line. Sometimes the initial idea has been improved upon in such a way, along the way, that you need to adjust it before completion. How can you recognize this form of thinking from overthinking?
Enter mindfulness
Mindfulness isn’t just a psychological construct. Mindfulness, as I define it, is active conscious awareness in the here and now.
One of the coolest things about the creative process is getting into the zone. That’s when you get so deep into the work, no matter what specifically your art is, that time loses all meaning. You veritably become one with the work and the zone is almost blissful.
The zone is a place out of time because it’s a product of the now.
Only by being present, consciously aware of what you’re doing, here and now, can you enter the zone. There is no past, no future, no time in the zone itself. You and it just are. Other places this can be experienced include meditation, reading, martial arts, manual labor, and more.
Mindfulness is a choice to be in the moment, wholly present, and focused on being and doing what you’re being and doing right now. It’s conscious awareness, reached initially by recognizing internal, intangible concepts including what you’re thinking, what and how you’re feeling, what your intentions are, and what you are or aren’t doing.
Creatives tend to live more consciously than subconsciously. That’s because subconscious living is all about rote, routine, and habit carrying you along. Creating art never begins by rote or routine (though it can be inspired by it).
Mindfulness, it could be argued, is taking the creative idea, that initial spark, and bringing it into reality. It’s how you choose to do the work.
You have the power
Ultimately, thinking or overthinking, you have the power to take control.
Mindfulness is how you get present and be in the here and now so that you can begin the manifestation process.
You have the power to do this. You are also worthy and deserving of being a creator and making art. Overthinking can often lead to self-sabotage, as well as disbelief in your worth, value, abilities, skills, and whatnot. Mindfulness helps you recognize and adjust overthinking.
How? Probably the easiest way to do this is via centering yourself. Some people turn to meditation for this, but not everyone can get into meditation. Here’s a simpler way to center, and you can do it almost any time you need:
This takes only 2 minutes. Put yourself somewhere you can sit or stand comfortably. Set a timer for two minutes. When you start it, take in as deep a breath as you possibly can. Hold it for a couple of 2, then release it thoroughly. Repeat. Focus on your breathing, and with each intake think to yourself, “Breathe in.” Then, silently do the 2-count, and as you release think to yourself, “Breathe out.” Repeat until the timer goes off.
I find this to be utterly centering and grounding. It takes very little time and is repeatable with little effort. Ultimately, this empowers you to center, balance, and take control.
This helps identify overthinking. You are worthy and deserving of this power. Don’t be afraid to put it to use. Go for it.
Thanks for reading. As I share my creative journey with you, I conclude with this: How are you inspired to be your own creator – whatever form that takes?
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