“Practicing any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to grow your soul. So do it.” — A Grammarly-corrected quote from Kurt Vonnegut
Here I am, three days past my self-imposed deadline of completing a weekly blog post for this project. And that is OK. I permit myself the freedom to slip my leash.
My reason for being "late" is that I was allowing too many thoughts and ideas to swirl around, making focus difficult and excitement about any one topic elusive. Discussing my project ideas with a friend was productive, deciding to "sleep on it" for a couple of days was freeing, and leading a group of fellow "creatives" on a nature walk last night was energizing. But still, I woke up this morning, reviewing some of my thoughts about creativity for the week and just not feeling confident in my ideas.
After a morning meditation, a first coffee, and some creative time with photo editing, I realized my topic. I was drifting from my original intention and purpose and letting doubts interfere. Here is the original intent and purpose from Post #1:
⦁ My intention for Creativity52 is a 52-week photography project where I will create a weekly blog post, containing at least one image from my photographic efforts and share my thoughts on creativity that resonate with me in the week.
⦁ My purpose for Creativity52 is to deepen my awareness of creativity and enhance my engagement in the creative process, and I hope my thoughts on creativity will be a source of understanding or even a spark of inspiration for other creators and, especially, for those thinking they aren't creative. Creativity is essential for us to find meaning for ourselves and connect with others.
The topic of creativity is broad and deep, spanning many arts and ways of being. Getting caught in a web of connected ideas had me pulling on too many thought strands at once, thinking I must be comprehensive and speak to everything about a topic. No, I realized that keeping things simple and having one main idea to keep the post short and simple to keep the reader's interest was a healthy constraint for the weekly posts.
Additionally, I have been reading books and blogs, watching videos, and listening to podcasts, by others considered experts, teachers, masters, and gurus on the subject. This consumption of "creative" education was leading me away from my intention and purpose. My thoughts and presentation of the subject were being shaped by the teachers and content. Their ideas and language were interfering with my work, in some cases leaving me doubting my voice. I was beginning to worry that I must wrap my thoughts in an intellectual writing style not my own, or that the thoughts of others will strictly inform and constrain my thinking. Nope, I reminded myself, these "sages" are just guides.
My Thoughts For This Week:
⦁ Whatever creative act or adventure is being engaged in, begin with both intention and purpose. Decide on healthy limits and goals that guide focus and efforts, such as art style or genre, topic limits, page length, time expended, money spent, etc., but leaving space for flexibility and freedom.
⦁ By all means, use the expertise and talents of others as an invaluable critique for your efforts, as both aspiration and inspiration, but in the end, the art is yours. You do you!
Seeing and feeling.
Creativity belongs to all of us and is unique to each of us. Finding the spur or the spark for a new creative interest, reaching a higher skill level, or discovering a new direction for an existing creative interest can guide us on the creative path.
Discover your creative passions, enter your creative zones, and take pride in your efforts and results. Listen and learn with an open mind from valuable critique. Above all, give yourself the freedom to create and then create with freedom!
I invite feedback from readers for different perspectives on creativity.
If my writings in this photography project can benefit anyone on their creative journey, I am proud to be of service!
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