Creative Break

Creativity isn't all about what we make. So much of what we create is what we consume. The works you read, view and hear can have a profound effect on your art, good or bad. If we think of our minds as a perfectly tuned vehicle, it's important what fuel we use to get the best results. Consider the art and media you enjoy (or don't enjoy) and how that may be informing the way you create.

When it's time to create, do you have a ritual or a process to get into the right head space? This episode discusses the personal self-care routine you can build around your creative time to ensure you come to the table, or the desk or the floor, with as much energy and momentum as possible. Building a relationship with your creativity is as simple as knowing what gets you in the mode to create and making a habit of it.

So many of us feel like we will be worthy once we achieve that one thing that separates us from novice to legitimate artist. This episode explores the reasons why we seek to validate ourselves with accomplishments despite how new we may be to an art form. Instead, take your time and lean into the moment you are experiencing. Every phase of your creative journey is important and worthwhile. 

Sometimes we just need a minute... or a year away from our creative pursuits. This episode explores some of the reasons for taking a break and how we can use that time to nourish our souls and stay interactive with inspiration and outlets without burning out on the artform we love. Time heals all, including our gridlock when it comes to creativity. 

Getting started can be a challenge, and many of us need inspiration to spark our initial flame of creativity. However, sometimes that inspiration can feel stagnant and formulaic. In this episode, learn the difference between Closed and Open Systems of Inspiration and how we can break the cycles we take for granted when it comes to how we express ourselves uniquely. 

Once you've made something, is it perfect in your eyes? Do you return later to revise your work and make it better through new perspectives? Many of us have our egos tied into our first drafts, believing we are only as talented as what we initially create. Give yourself permission to return to your pieces again and again, reviving them with fresh eyes and techniques to unlock their full potential. 

Putting your work in the world can be difficult. Everyone has experienced that unnecessarily harsh criticism (even if we didn't ask for it) and those instances can sometimes shape us as creatives. This episode outlines better methods of critique and feedback to ensure we stay kind and respectful. Understanding where, when and how to share your thoughts will foster a warm, inviting artistic environment and allow everyone to feel safe in sharing their most authentic selves.

It can be easy to compare your work to other's, especially when social media drives how we interact with art and creativity. This episode discusses the difference between creativity online vs in person and how these differing mediums warp our expectations. We can sometimes feel small when compared to impossibly large accounts, but often these are not as they seem. How you measure success in expressing yourself or sharing your gifts is not simply measured by your following.  *Also, apologies for the P Pops, I am still getting used to this mic!*

We all feel a little out of our league once in a while. Imposter Syndrome, the sense of feeling like a faker or someone who doesn't belong because you don't have the credentials, plagues many of us. Sometimes at work, sometimes socially, but especially when we try to tap into our creativity. Don't let it stop you! Hear some anecdotes and tips to quiet that part of your mind that makes you feel like an outsider. You are not an imposter, you're exactly where you need to be! 

Welcome to your Creative Break. In this first episode I discuss the three questions to ask yourself when creating something that will help you cope with any unwanted feedback. Being vulnerable through your art is terrifying, but it doesn't have to be. Answer these for yourself and you will quiet your harshest critic, you.   1. What is the purpose? 2. Did I complete this as I intended to? 3. Did I make this in an authentic way? Square with yourself first and it won't matter what anyone has to say about what you create!  With love, Emilee