While visiting family in Connecticut last week, I was reminded how creative inspiration shifts whenever I’m reconnecting with them and my hometown. There are predictable places and faces so it doesn't feel quite a “vacation”. There’s also an existing history to align with or rebel against, instead of a “new” adventure type feel to the travel experience. I always see my trips back east as sort of a clashing of the new and the old in the same viewfinder, kind of like a set of before and after … [Read more...]
Why it’s Important to Connect the Dots of Passion Along the Creative Path
September 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment
When you throw together all of your life experiences, relationships and passing interests that led to nothing but detours, you are just scraping the surface of what shapes your creative path. Is this mind blowing? Not really, but it's pretty amazing if you think about how each of aspect has looped towards, away from and over each other to bring you to the present moment. So, having gotten this far on your winding creative path, can you take the viewpoint of a hawk, high on … [Read more...]
How Creative Shame Dampens the Spirit and Ways to Shake it Loose
September 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Creative shame is an extremely powerful emotion but one of the least talked about, especially when it comes to how it interferes with our creative spirit. Behind the scenes, the little negative voice in our head remains a private matter, directing us to choice points or talking us out of our awesomeness. Soon it’s easy to see how the world is reflecting back to us various challenges, “proving” the voice is right, but in reality, it’s just unacknowledged shame in the background pushing the right … [Read more...]
Creativity and the Inner Boss
September 5, 2013 By 1 Comment
Creativity and the inner boss. When paired together these concepts seem to be total opposites, pushing against each other’s efforts in a way that ends in a stand-off with no winner. Yet, this dynamic duo can definitely be a powerful pair, if they join forces for the greater good - you. The inner boss is not the ego (although it can certainly be bossy), but the way you manage yourself. Do you go full-steam into something, only to get bored towards the end and let things come to a thud? Do you … [Read more...]
Dancing with the Creative Shadow of Possibility
August 22, 2013 By 3 Comments
Dancing with the creative shadow is mysterious and alluring, like dabbling in magic without knowing the backstage insider tricks. Yet, it’s really just another aspect of you offering the ultimate invitation -- to dive in and enjoy the ride of creative self-discovery. The question is, are you curious enough (or frustrated enough) to jump in and see what the shadow has to offer? The creative shadow is the inner evolution of how you connect to your full authentic self, both the light and dark. … [Read more...]
Diminishing Creative Gains? Time for a Gut Check
May 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Every creative has experienced a period of diminishing creative gains. You know what I mean -- it feels like you are producing a product or a result more than creating something beautiful from the heart, and it can start to weigh on you. Clients have needs (and demands) and since they are paying, they get first priority (says your mind). So when the line of creative joy and obligation are fully intertwined and your creative twinkle is waning, it’s time to hit pause and do a gut check. Stress, … [Read more...]
Stand Your Creative Ground With Others
May 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Creative self expression can feel like a very personal risk, especially when you need to stand your creative ground with others. This exact feeling is what keeps so many people from fully diving into their creative passion or expressing themselves -- the fear of how to explain themselves to the world. The truth is you are absolutely not obligated to explain yourself to anyone regarding your creative pursuits, but will most likely need to stand your creative ground at a point when you least … [Read more...]
Stop Using Self-Criticism as a Creative Motivator
April 4, 2013 By 1 Comment
Self criticism. It can scream at the top of it’s lungs in your face, at which point you are unable to deny the presence of it’s steamy breath. Other times it’s such a faint whisper the negativity barely registers at a conscious level, doing all the dirty work on the down low. No matter how it shows up, I notice how often it’s misused as a creative motivator by those who feel guilty about neglecting their creative callings, or who don’t really feel their ideas are worth … [Read more...]
Why You Avoid Creative Change and Stay Stuck
March 28, 2013 By 1 Comment
Electric creative change. It’s everywhere. In and between people. Around big, community shifting issues. Among business connections and collaborations. And as fresh creative ways of thinking and being are coming to the surface right now, it’s time to decide; same old comfy shoes this round or time for a fresh, sparkly pair of new kicks? Sometimes fear chooses for us. “Same old shoes for me, thank you. I have enough crap I’m dealing with already.” Other times we pull out the dusty … [Read more...]
How “What- Ifs” Slash Creative Confidence and What to Do
February 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment
What-ifs are a part of life. We wonder if something is good or bad, light-hearted or embarrassing, a smart move or a set-back...the list can grow as long as the brain has life to power it, whether you direct active attention to it or not. So when it comes to letting your own what-ifs run wild, you have an opportunity to reign in the mind and determine if you are day dreaming to help build creative confidence, or slowly self-sabotaging it. Here’s how certain “what-ifs” burn through creative … [Read more...]