I had a very slow week of not doing my morning pages or my artist date. I did the reading though and it still triggered a lot of good information in my mind. I also read through the last couple of weeks again since I don’t feel I put my all into them.
In this final week, we acknowledge the inner inherently mysterious spiritual heart of creativity. We address the fact that creativity requires receptivity and profound trust — capacities we have developed through our work in this course. We set our creative aims and take a special look at last minute sabotage. We renew our commitment to the use of the tools.
This week was all about building trust in ourselves and what it means to be a creative. We are often very hard on our own dreams, to the point that we sometimes deny them outright or think they’re not really what we want. It takes courage to admit what you want, especially if it’s different from the norm or what you have currently.
This chapter focuses a lot on Julia’s idea of God or the universe. This book was surprisingly much more “spiritual” in nature than I thought it would be. Then again, it’s called “A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity” so I guess I should have seen this coming. I do like that she leaves spirituality up to us. She uses “God” because that is her own belief, but leaves it open to simply be the energy that moves the universe along. If you’re not a spiritual person, this book might not be for you. But if you do believe in a force beyond, even if that force is simply nature, I think it could be helpful.
So, if you’re not spiritual, lean on your own inner self. The phrase Julia uses is “I know what I know.” There is no greater expert in your self than you. It just takes being honest with yourself. “Just” as if facing your greatest fears is easy to do, or even admitting that they are fears. The truth is, when we are sure what we are doing aligns with our inner selves, it is so much easier to take action. So it comes down to knowing your values and what you want.
Let Ideas Sprout in Darkness
There is a kneejerk reaction when we get a great idea to share it immediately. To follow a project full steam ahead when it is but a seed we have yet to plant in the ground. Julia encourages us to let our ideas grow for a bit. Much like a seed in the darkness of soil, or a child in the womb if you want to get really literal with the word “brainchild.” To share that idea before it is fully developed would be like pulling a seed out of the ground to see if it has sprouted roots yet.
The creative process is a process of surrender, not control.
Julia suggest letting things drip on the page. A scene here, a character sketch there, and eventually the truth behind the idea will come forth. Don’t push it to be a full outline of a story when your mind hasn’t caught up yet. Once you have the truth behind the story or idea, then we can start structuring it. Maybe this looks like a full discovery draft, maybe it’s just a few scenes that show us where it’s going, or maybe it’s random photos saved in a moodboard that suddenly sparks the inspiration we need.
Creativity as Process
As the book suggest many many times – creativity is not about the finished product, but the process.
When we think about creativity, it is all too easy to think art with a capital A.
Often we fall into the trap of thinking about art as the finished product. The masterpiece in the gallery, the novel with countless readers and awards, the feature film. But, that’s not the case. Art is the process of creating. That process, Julia says, must be play.
Hobbies are a great way to start learning to play. Things we do simply for the fun of it, or at least because we like the process. We call them hobbies because we see them as unserious and optional things. Things we do in our spare time to spark a bit of joy. It’s the grown up version of play.
To be an artist is to fully believe that we were created TO create. It’s up to us not to fall into the trap that what we create must be the “right” something, something “important.”
Being true to our selves and having fun creating is what it means to be an artist. Singing in the car, baking fresh bread, experimenting with new recipes, planting more flowers than fit the space, doodling during phone calls, dancing in the kitchen to that song stuck in your head, buying that shirt because you love the color even if it “clashes” with your skin tone, putting up the thrifted art because you loved the frame, buying glasses frames that others would call “bold.” It’s all part of a creative life no matter how big or small.
The Test
The final piece Julia talks about is “The Test.”
This “test” is the sudden life events that challenge your trajectory into your dreams. It’s the nagging doubt that comes rushing because of a comment from friends or family, or even a seemingly unrelated event. However, we can sometimes stumble into the test all on our own.
When our careers heat up, or our creative dreams come into reach, we get scared. When we get scared, we often look to the person who will definitely deter us from this dream. We want our fears validated as real, scary, and inevitable. It’s the loving parent who asks “are you sure?” It’s the well-meaning friend who voices their own failures when you bring up your excitement. It’s the expensive emergency that makes you rethink the potential monetary downfall of your decision.
These things will ALWAYS align with our deepest fears and insecurities around our creative lives. It’s a last ditch effort of our inner critic to protect us from harm. Don’t go looking for someone who will tell you your path is wrong. You are the only one who knows your inner thoughts and dreams. You know what aligns with your goals better than anyone else. Find someone you trust to give you true support. They will know what the real dangers are and whether this is simply resistance or a bad idea (it’s usually not).
This does not mean be irresponsible. There’s a difference between taking a creative leap and simply throwing your life away. Small steps are always more sustainable. Take the leaps where they make sense. Do what you must to feel secure in your choices.
Our best defense is to know those fears and have answers to them. That’s what this book has truly focused on. We get blocked when we start to doubt. By solidifying our dreams in our minds, and acknowledging the fears that come along with that dream, we can build up some protections against this test. There will be resistance along the way, so start preparing for it.
For me, those fears are definitely around money and perception. I want to live comfortably and securely. That might mean that I will never be 100% reliant on my creative projects for my living. That’s okay. But, I’m not going to throw out the possibility due to that fear. There are so many successful authors out there who don’t have writing as their full time job. But there are many who do. There’s no one path for a career creative to take. Until then, I’m working on a different definition of success.
I’m still working on the “play” aspect of creating. I got away from that during my edits which I think burned me out a bit. I started thinking of my edits as work I had to do rather than creating I got to do. The fun of something like NaNoWriMo is definitely missed, but even that started to feel like too much. So I’m searching for what my creative self thinks is “play” now.
Tasks:
- Write down any resistances, angers, and fears you have about going on from here. We all have them.
- Take a look at your current areas of procrastination. What are the payoffs in your waiting? Locate the hidden fears. Do a list on paper.
- Sneak a peek at week one “core negative beliefs” (appended at the end of the task list). Laugh. Yes, the nasty critters are still there. Note your progress, and read yourself the affirmations that you invented to counter some of the core negatives. Write yourself some new ones about your continuing creative nurturance after this course is completed.
- Mend any mending.
- Repot any plants you have that are pinched.
- Select a “God” jar. A what? A jar in which you place your fears, hopes, dreams, and worries into.
- Use your jar. Start with your fear list from Task 1 above. When worried, remind yourself it’s in the jar — “God’s got it.” Then take the next action.
- Now, check how: Honestly, what would you most like to create? Open-minded, what oddball paths would you dare to try? WIlling, what appearances are you willing to shed to pursue your dream?
- List five people you can talk to about your dreams and with whom you feel supported to dream and then plan.
- Reread this book. Share it with a friend. Remember that a miracle is one artist sharing with another. Trust God. Trust yourself.
Happy Creating!
Rachel
Subtle Stories 