This week in the 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women Next Chapter book club, we’re exploring how to honor your creative inspirations. At the end of this section the author provides some questions to reflect on:
When did your creative awakening or reawakening occur?
I’ve always been creative. However, during high school in my advanced art class, I shut down because I was constantly comparing myself to my classmates. They seemed to create amazing, imaginative pieces and I was only good at “copying” things. I hadn’t yet found my voice.
I hadn’t painted in many years and I decided to create something just from an image in my head. I used to draw everything precisely in pencil before painting. This time, I did a rough sketch, but really let the brushstrokes just go wherever they were compelled to go. It felt good to just freely create. That painting still hangs in my bedroom. I eventually started to do more expressive art just for the process not the end result. I finally stepped into calling myself an artist and an entrepreneur. My next creative edge is stepping into being an author!
What talents do you have, naturally?
I’m intuitive. I am a deep listener. I’m sensitive. I bring quiet, stillness and reflection. I create beauty. I’m playful.
Which elements (fire, water, wood, air) draw you toward them?
Water for its flowing gracefulness and association with emotion. Air for breath and also because it’s light and intangible. Fire scares me (I have to use one of those kitchen lighter gadgets because I’m afraid I’m going to burn myself striking a match!). I know that I could use more fire in my life.
Where and when do you create? Where and when do you wish to create?
My kitchen table is my “craft room/studio” at the moment and I do lots of creative work at my computer. I would love to have a studio in my backyard one of these days. I would also love to participate in more and lead creative retreats in nature – like in the woods or in Hawaii!
What activates your creative energy?
Beauty, spaciousness, color, nature, nourishing my Inner Muse, finding ways to integrate different ideas, connecting with other creative people, yoga, mediation, reading, seeing and experiencing art, picking up supplies and just doing something! Seeing people going after their dreams (BTW, a guilty pleasure – I just watched the Beat Freaks on America’s Best Dance Crew and these talented ladies kicked butt and definitely inspired me!).
What drains it?
Being overwhelmed, not taking care of myself, being distracted by clutter, comparing myself to others, not allowing myself to fully shine because I’m worried about what others will think, making things too complicated or trying to make things perfect, doing too many things for other people.
Do you use creative rituals? Which ones?
As the book suggested, I have altars throughout my house. The photo above is a detail from the one in my guest room/meditation/yoga room. I also journal pretty regularly in the morning.
Does nature influence your creativity? How?
Definitely! The beauty of nature connects me to something bigger than myself.
What has been your greatest creative hurdle so far?
So far, I’d say developing my coaching brand. I tortured myself for more than a year trying to articulate what I stood for. So much questioning if I was going to get it right. So many times I was ready to just give up and stick with my old, safe and generic brand with just a face lift. It felt vulnerable to bring a more personal and authentic expression into my work.
What time of day are you most receptive to inspiration?
My creative sparks come at any time of the day (or night!). Random inspiration hits me while walking my dog. The key for me is writing it down or acting on it right away while I’m inspired, otherwise the idea looses steam and gets lost amongst my day-to-day activity. I love having those light bulb moments!
Be sure to listen to this week’s interview with domestic diva Suzie Ridler. I loved what she had to say about honoring her inspirations and giving herself permission to have her creativity show up in unexpected ways.