Go with the flow?

Our chosen pathway
should reflect our heart’s desire.
 – Steve Parish

When I consider a project has reached expectations, I always get an endorphin rush and a “Yes!” even if it’s a single image. The more clearly the work expresses my emotions in the moment of creation, the bigger the rush and the louder the “Yes!”. It’s the drug that keeps me going. It’s also how I KNOW that I’ve finished – it comes from the heart/gut. Most creatives would agree that the more they exercise their creativity, the better their outcomes are, especially when their processes are free from overthinking during adversity.

Above: A metaphor from nature.
The r eef heron may remain completely still for hours waiting for the tide to bring food within striking range. Then, just before striking out at its prey, the bird ever so gently rocks its body back and forth from left to right while the head remains entirely still. Then, through trial and error, the bird instinctively strikes out with alarming speed. If unsuccessful, the birds will repeat the activity until success is assured. Over, and over, and over, if necessary. After all, if it gives up, it is dead! Humans don’t die physically, but they can tell themselves they are a failure, and before long, they believe it to be true. For some, this can cause considerable anxiety.

Creative self-confidence is an essential quality that must be nurtured, especially during difficult times when it can be used as a tool to overcome obstacles. In other words, it is crucial to become your own art director, to step out with confidence and express your own truth. This is empowering and helps prevent your passion from fading by avoiding slavishly following the styles of others. Design and ideas that surround our vision are crucial in today’s online world.

For all creatives, changing direction is a natural part of the process, whether for commercial or personal reasons. Dealing with change can be daunting, particularly when it affects your financial stability. I personally experienced this in the early 2000s when I realized that my three-decade-long publishing career needed to radically change direction. I remember feeling enormous stress, but I learned to let go and trust the universe to guide my creative future. When phone photography started to impact the tourist market, our company significantly enhanced our children’s publishing offering in 2007. This change was a turning point in my creative life. I cover this topic in detail in my Masterclass and provide some tips below.

If you feel like your creative life is a failure, try looking at that feeling from a different perspective. Emotional responses are temporary and are not a permanent end to your creative journey. They are learning experiences, and all creatives face roadblocks. Don’t fight them; instead, go with the flow.

Many roadblocks can hinder your creativity, such as having no money or time, too many family commitments, fear of the online world, or feeling like there is too much competition. However, you are unique, and there is no competition if you create and present your work with sincerity from your heart. Granting yourself permission to trust your decision-making process is challenging, but it is key to moving forward. It can be even more challenging when negativity surrounds you, such as global events, lockdowns, or politics. In these situations, I find that focusing on positivity and creating an environment of joy can help overcome roadblocks. 

There’s an air of sophistication and confidence in simplicity. 
– Steve Parish

What are the rewards?

As we cultivate our creative lives, we can expect to experience a boost in self-confidence. This newfound confidence may inspire changes in other areas of our lives, and those around us may begin to notice the positive changes as well. As they start to acknowledge this “new normal,” you may find that your loved ones offer support in ways you hadn’t imagined.

I believe that finding a creative voice and expressing it directly affects our mental and physical well-being. It’s about finding a purpose and waking up every day feeling optimistic about what’s ahead. When real-life situations confront us, our creative pursuits can act as a source of strength, bringing authentic joy to our lives.

So, the next time you feel like giving up on your creative endeavors, consider it a crossroads and see your fear as a friend, not a foe. I challenge you to trust in your inner voice and invest in your creativity. I guarantee that your life will be transformed.

Above, is an example of some of the playful expressions during an early process where I was exploring options with my fine art.  Not everything we create needs to have a clear objective.  Montaged mages left to right: Uluru and bloodwood tree – Kurrajong seed pods – Whistling duck feathers.

12 CREATIVE LIFE TIPS

1. View your creative life as a collaboration between what you see and feel and your authentic inner you, your soul. It’s not a competition with others.
2. Look at your work from a distance – perhaps it is a new style of work that needs time to germinate.
3. Today, what may be thought of as failure could be later deemed a success. This has been a very common reoccurrence throughout my creative life.
4. Never discard creative ideas. They are your fuel. Keep them sacrosanct in a secret place if you feel you need to. 
5. Always choose creative council with care, especially during your journey’s early, possibly fragile stages.
6. Switch off all negative voices that do not express your inner truth. This could mean shutting off the news or avoiding people who constantly voice their own pain.
7. When you feel intimidated by a critic, embrace their comment and then quietly reflect on what they say. Who knows, they may be right!
8. Take risks. Banish overthinking from your creative processes. Learn to work instinctively in the present moment. Remember, there is no such thing as tomorrow.
9. Consider your state of mind at the wheel of your creative journey. When still and alone, or when loud music booms, whatever turns you on, work in that space.
10. When you lose what you have held precious in your life, that’s when the creative adventure can really begin. Remember, what you do is not who you are.
11. Consider driven, creative life purpose as the arch-enemy of anxiety and depression.
12. Watch out for pivotal life moments. They can come at any time, without warning. Embrace them without hesitation, as they can bring fundamental change to your life