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Clearing Space for Creativity
By Fiona Hall
I work as a therapist and a coach as well as a writer, and sometimes it’s hard to find the time to focus on my writing. When I feel short of time, the writing seems to be the first thing to go. My creativity is easily squashed, easily pushed out.
Something I’ve learned over the years is how important it is to clear space for my writing. There’s always a huge list of “things to do” threatening to push it out. My writing has only survived because I’ve learned to fiercely protect it.
If you also struggle with dedicating time to your creativity, whether you paint, write songs or make pots, then the following four steps might help you to look at your own techniques for clearing space and how you might be able to improve on them.
One: Make a commitment
Before you go any further, I’d like you to think hard about why you want to clear space in the first place. How serious are you about your art? What does it give you? What are your goals? How much energy are you willing to invest in it?
If you decide that you’d rather keep your creativity as a “hobby” then that’s great -- you can stop feeling guilty about not spending more time on it and get on with enjoying it.
If decide that it IS centrally important to you then now is the time to make a formal commitment to it. You might want to have some fun with this and see it as a marriage -- decide that you’re going to stick with your creativity in sickness and in health. Make this public if you can. Let your friends and family know how serious you are, start speaking about your creative work with pride. Honor your art, and honor the artist in yourself.
Two: Feed yourself
I see my own muse as needing plenty of feeding. This is an ongoing process and it needs different types of food depending on what I need at the time. Some of this food is:
- Immersing myself in other writer’s work
- Exploring different art forms -- seeing good films, going to exhibitions
- Spending time alone with nature
- Speaking with writer colleagues
- Reading magazines about writing
- Attending writing festivals
- Writing a regular journal
Maybe you could write your own list and decide to dedicate some time each week to feeding your artist.
As you’re feeding (or afterwards), little ideas will start appearing like tiny green shoots. Make sure you have a notebook handy at all times so you can jot/sketch these ideas down and use them in your work.
Three: Turn up at the page
You’ve decided that you’re serious about this, and you’ve collected some interesting ideas. Now comes the important bit! I’ve taken this phrase from Julie Cameron’s book, The Artists Way. She helps artists to become unblocked, and believes that to be an artist you need to practice “turning up at the page.” It’s not enough that you work “when inspiration strikes” -- you need to be able to sit down and get on with it whether you’re in the mood or not. You need to turn up at the page.
I’d recommend that you practice this by booking time into your diary (start with 10 minutes if this is new and daunting to you) and spending this time on your art without fail. If you can’t get into your painting, then read what someone else thought about painting instead. If you can’t concentrate on the reading, then go for a walk and think about what you’re stuck on. Learn to be disciplined. Be determined.
Four: Get supported
Being an artist can be lonely, especially if your art involves you working by yourself. I’ve found that a support network is extremely important to keep me going. I can speak to my colleagues about bits I’m stuck on, or just have a moan about how hard it’s been. Having a support network can also be an important source of feedback. I know that I’m a better writer for all the feedback I’ve received over the years -- feedback helps me to sharpen my tools. Other artists whom you admire are great people to learn from.
There are many different places to look for your support network. There are often local classes or groups for writing, painting, etc. The internet can be a fantastic resource. Or ask your friends if they know any artists, get in touch and ask them out for a coffee. Put time and energy into building a strong, lasting network. Ask them how you can help them. Accept help.
Finally I run a weekly newsletter which will help you to clear extra space in your life. You can subscribe at my website at http://www.creative-living.org.uk/. I’d love to hear how you get on -- my email is fiona@creative-living.org.uk. Good luck!
Fiona Hall works as a qualified creativity coach, therapist and writer. As a coach she works with people who want to re-connect with their creativity, making their working lives richer and more meaningful. She runs a free weekly musing on creativity - sign up at her website at http://www.creative-living.org.uk.
Related Web site: http://www.creative-living.org.uk
Published on 6/22/2004
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