Everyone you ever admired did.
This week, I was at a design conference. Connecting with new and old friends, the majority of our discussions were on emerging topics such as, AI technology, Creative Intuition and Community.
As you might assume, the topic of AI sprouted in almost all chats and how it’s impacting us now and what might the future hold.
And down the rabbit hole we began.
Everyone has trepidations about using the technology, how to use it ethically and trying to understand ways of managing guard rails while protecting free speech.
Sideline conversations expressed a philosophical debate on how AI will influence design and art. And what does it all mean for creators, societies and culture?
Will this new technology cannibalize current artists? What will we now accept as art and creative expression if a computer produces all of it? What’s original? What will be deemed art in the future? What’s the single source of truth?
The conversations around the creator stood out the most to me. And the mission I feel important to express to those that are ready for it.
I believe that everyone is creative, whether you identify as one or not.
And I believe that you must be creative to have a vibrant and healthy life. Defining creativity in its more abstract form is a way of life. It’s the most human thing you can do. And over time, it will be what will separate you from being more evolved than other humans.
The importance of sharing and teaching simple creative intuitive tips and hacks grows stronger every day. You need to know how to connect with yourself, especially when life gets hard, to successfully survive.
Not expressing yourself is the simplest self-sabotaging move you can make.
I would know, I’ve done it for years. I doubled down on my focused, and somewhat stubborn mindset to keep on keeping on. I didn't want to look up and see my reality of all the long hours of working on businesses and losing myself in an idea in the future that never happened. I had dangled my own carrots and built a treadmill believing that this was going to pay off. It did, but in a way I couldn’t see at the time.
I ran myself into the ground. I was piling on more jobs to gain more expertise, thinking it would magically transform me out of all the work I was digging deeper and deeper into. I was in full survival mode after acquiring too many responsibilities.
It wasn’t attainable and it came crashing down. I was on the brink of burn-out and felt as if I had nothing to show for it. I had to learn self-care the hard way. And it took years to learn how to balance rest and action, and the right ways to create.
I wasn’t doing anything creative and fun for myself. I simply didn’t have the time. I didn’t know how to set up the boundaries or ask for what I needed.
I’m still learning the nuances of this as I keep challenging myself and growing. And I want to help others understand the importance of your energetic health. All four elements of mental, emotional, spiritual and physical get a boost with artist endeavors.
10% happier by engaging your creative mind
Visual creative expression allows you to make unknown connections to new things and increase blood flow by 10%. It allows expanding the brain’s neuroplasticity for better observations, problem solving and retaining memories.
A professor of neuroscience at University of Alabama Birmingham, Christianne Strang, noted that “Creativity in and of itself is important for remaining healthy, remaining connected to yourself and connected to the world.” She goes on to say that it doesn’t matter what activity is being done as long as we’re engaged.
The flow state is that moment you are fully engaged in an activity and time and space suspend. And being in the present moment of this flow state, in an active creative expression reduces depression and anxiety.
Even looking at art that you enjoy activates the theta waves in the frontal cortex that flashes the pleasure response. Yes, if you enjoy looking at a painting of dogs playing poker, you’re increasing your wellness. Well done.
Doodling with geometric patterns and coloring geometric mandalas has also shown the greatest benefit on mental agility.
Rehabilitation centers have seen a significant improvement in patients as they have a healthy way to release bottled and pent up emotions.
“Create with the heart; build with the mind.” - Criss Jami
Those that inspire you were driven to create what was undeniably important to them. Create until you stop living.
Everyone you’ve ever admired…
Build a thing Design a system Produce a product Create entertainment Craft an experience Plan and architect a way of life Make it with love Obsess over it Solve a problem And then share it. For you to enjoy.
These individuals were focused and driven by an idea and brought it to life.
“Don’t wait for inspiration. It comes while working." - Henri Matisse
The spectrum of creating
Creatives become obsessed with learning and getting into the details of a project. That obsession can become unhealthy if you let it, but it drives us to do great things.
If we aren’t in the pursuit or process of creating, we’ll likely suffer from depression and anxiety.
It’s a delicate balance between the healthy obsession and moments of replenishing rest before starting a new creative project. Know yourself and learn what’s the best time to balance both.
Start a small project that you’d had in the back of your mind. Do you have any low hanging and easy tasks that would be quick to accomplish and feel great when you’re done?
Let’s look at 5 steps to start activating your spectrum of creating.
Get inspired - Start looking at any art, nature, music, live performances, or events that inspire you. Check out a new store or location that is connected to your interest. Look with new eyes and observe new things.
Mind map ideas - Gather ideas and thoughts together in one place. If you could carve out one hour a week for 3-4 weeks to work on something for you, jot down ideas that come to mind. Brainstorm 5-10 small projects you could do. It could be anything that sounds fun and interesting. Is there something you’ve been wanting to DIY?
Selection process - Pick your top project and then a second one. Research the details and get all the necessary information and materials you’ll need.
Quickly outline a plan - Bullet point or simply sketch out the various steps of the project. It’s a mental exercise to envision the process beforehand. It’ll help give you a rough idea of what each step might entail to anticipate more and allow for further creative expression.
Create your masterpiece - Start moving through the steps you outlined. See how your creation unfolds. And if it took less time than you thought it would, jump into that second idea.
The easiest way to boost your confidence is by creating personal enjoyment. Embrace the process, the ups and downs of creating and problem solving. And you'll be amazed at how much you love what you’ve built.
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Whenever you're ready, here’s how I can help you:
If you're looking to strengthen your internal intuitive guidance, I'd recommend starting with an affordable journal. It’s a process that I currently use.
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