The rhythm of creativity
These words from my friend struck me deeply as I realised a few things. I had lost the creative rhythm that was once established, having thought I had bought myself more time, I actually was spending less time in the ‘creative flow’.
I grew up with a belief that if you were good at something, or even just liked doing something that it would simply happen, that it would just flow out of you like turning a tap on. Slowly but surely that myth has been dispelled for me. During lockdown I listened to a podcast by the Irish author Marian Keyes. She talked about how people think a novel just magically flows out of you onto the page and how the process is so much more of a slog, actually! Novel writers mostly have very definite routines in order to get the requisite number of pages out daily, to move from the novel being an idea, to a chapter, to several chapters and then ultimately a book.
The truth is, creativity needs rhythm.
I believe this is true for all of us. If we don’t make a space for being creative, it will simply not happen. And perhaps you need creativity more than you know to feed your soul?
When I lost my creative rhythm, I became a bit “lopsided”. I was in such a cognitive headspace. So much trying to work everything out by thinking and thinking. I hadn’t realised how it was exhausting me. I love it when people help me to think better and see differently, but I am not wired to live in thoughts and logic only, I need creativity to fuel joy and inspiration for me. I need creativity to help me process things and problem-solve.
When we start a rhythm of creativity, we gain confidence in our own ideas, we don’t dismiss inspiration but we listen to it and try it out before seeing if it fits. A rhythm of creativity has a multiplication effect. We try something and it works, we get more inspired and there is a flow.
“Rhythm generally means a “movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions”.
Wikipedia.
Creativity doesn’t have to be productive or even good all of the time! Creativity is personal, first and foremost. It has good days and bad days. Days we want to share it with the world and days we don’t. But the point is the rhythm creates a movement that hopefully takes us forward. Whether it is always and only going to be for our personal benefit and use or to be shared with the world.
If you’re feeling bogged down and weary, maybe it’s time to make space for a creative rhythm that pleases your heart. It may give you a whole new perspective on things. Let me know how it goes?!
