“SHOULD”…and the case of the sneaky, underhanded creativity killer!

Have you ever found yourself creating creative expectations and setting artistic goals for yourself that in hindsight don’t really make sense?

Two weeks ago, I made a decision about something I felt I SHOULD do in my dance life in order to demonstrate real growth.  Let me say, I have no idea “who” the audience was for said demonstrative growth, but I decided this step was necessary.  Looking back, I see what a huge mistake it was to subject my creative child to this expectation, because it derailed my creativity for almost a week.  And let me say, as a creative soul, I depend heavily on my creativity as my true source of energy not only in dance, but also in my writing and at work.

As I wallowed in my creative sorrow, I kept asking myself, how did I end up here?

Source:  www.dreamstime.com

Ah, well, it all started with that word SHOULD.  I will talk more about this in upcoming blogs, because as artists, we have to be careful not to place expectations on ourselves that only serve to ultimately block or destroy our creative energies.  I recently read in a wonderful blog, Zen Copy, that these expectations can be the basis for killing creativity, so we have to defy our own rulebooks and sometimes do the absolute opposite of what we think we SHOULD do to free ourselves and unleash our creativity.

With the help of some wonderful friends, that’s exactly what I did. After my personal pity party was over and my friends talked me in off of the “I’m quitting” ledge, they convinced me that I  simply needed to take a different approach to reach my goal.  Rather than focusing so much on this SHOULD, which was only going to keep me stuck, I decided to focus on how to get myself unstuck creatively.  So how do we get ourselves unstuck?  Read on…

First, release yourself from the expectation and ask yourself “what if”.  What if I decided to do the complete opposite, how would this impact this project, choreography, music, etc.?  Sometimes, in order to unleash our creativity, we have to think outside of the rules, some we may have set for ourselves and really don’t serve us in being successful.  So set your creativity free and see what you come up with.

Second, try a new creative outlet or discipline to awaken your creativity.  For example, dance for me often gets me unstuck for writing and vice versa.  Also, I enjoy beading jewelry from time to time and painting and all of these things serve to keep my creativity flowing.  Also, much can be said for taking a step back and reigniting your creativity through the inspiration of other artists i.e., taking a trip to the museum, browsing artwork online, etc.  Find sources to feed your passion and then go for it!

Last, as Zen Copy also reminded us, go for yours.  In other words, this is your passion, your dream and your craft to pursue as you desire, so make it happen.  I love the advice “don’t take action in a small way, make it bold, make it count and don’t stop until you have succeeded”.  As a creative soul, you owe it to yourself and the world to go big or go home, so do not live small.  Don’t tip toe around your dreams waiting for someone to approve, just get it done!

In writing this, I learned of the passing of one of my favorite actresses, Kathryn Joosten, whom I think embodies this sprit.  The once psychiatric nurse from Chicago started her acting career at 42, after several life-changing events decided life was too short not to pursue her passions.  With no well-designed plan, she just got to the business of acting and living her dreams and the universe answered.  She ultimately became an Emmy-winning actress, last starring on Desperate Housewives as Karen McCluskey.  She had a wonderful thirty-year career and I salute her courage in the pursuit of her dream until the very end.  RIP

These are just my thoughts, from one artist to another and I look forward to hearing yours.  In the meantime, do you and creatively mind your business.