It isn’t just one woman that comes up to me to tell me that she wishes she could do what I do, it’s most women. They see my art and think, “I could never make that.” Whether it’s because they’re afraid to be seen and put their art out in the world (which is fair) or more likely because they don’t think they’re creative enough, they are no artists. We’ve come to believe that only the artists or makers are creatives, not everyday women. It’s the bohemian woman in flowy clothes with the perfectly out of place curls, or the woman with paint on every piece of clothing she owns. It’s the one who sees something in abstract paintings and can have deep conversations about the latest gallery opening that you still aren’t sure should be called art (we’ve all said that!) It’s the woman with a dedicated art space in her home or has a following or is contracted at galleries, those are the creatives. Not you. What I’ve come to learn as an artist is this–Creativity is not a skill some are born with. It is the core of being human–especially being a woman.
The Divine Feminine: Creativity Is in Your DNA
As women we are born with the ability to make life inside of ourselves. When reproductive organs are talked about in Eastern Medicine, they are called life force. This idea is taken even further when we look at the charkas. The Sacral Chakra (The second chakra leading up from the base of the torso and sits over the reproductive organs) in the energy center of creativity, passion and pleasure. Creation isn’t just about making something pretty or having good design skills but about life. Your creativity is about following all of which you are passionate about.
As women, we have the ability to embody creation in every form, including having children but not limited to this (You are so much more than a baby maker!) The divine feminine is known for intuition, nurturing others, receptiveness, collaboration, empathy, kindness, vulnerability, humility, patience, power, protection, and creativity. When you think of a mama, you think of someone soft and loving but when someone comes after their cub, she is anything but those two things. She is a force to be reckoned with and that too is part of the divine feminine. This is where activism can be a true creative practice.
The fact of the matter is that you might be more creative than you’ve ever imagined, you simply have too narrow of a definition of what creativity is. If being creative only means doing something in the visual arts, you will often find yourself lacking, but if you open it up to all the things that bring passion, fire, and pleasure to life, you realize that there are so many ways for you to embrace creativity. So what brings you to life? What lights your fire? It could be writing, gardening, baking, hosting, activism, not just making fine art. (although fine art is great too and if you want to dive deeper into that there are so many avenues to do it. Being able to “do that,” comes with practice. And if you join my upcoming workshop you’ll get all my secrets too!–There aren’t really any secrets but I’m happy to share with you all I know.)
The Modern Disconnect: Why We Feel “Uncreative”
More often than not the voice that’s telling us we aren’t creative is the un-balanced masculine voice in our heads. We live in a masculine society that encourages productivity, to always do and have more, and to compare ourselves to those around us knowing that there are limited seats at the table.
But the feminine and the creative that lives inside of you, doesn’t follow these rules.
Perfection is a word I move that we throw out of the English language. Let’s be real, perfect doesn’t exist. Nature isn’t perfect. It is beautiful because of its imperfections. When we see “perfection” on social media, on television, or anywhere else, it’s because we are only getting a small glimpse of the story. When we see the full picture we’ll learn, it isn’t perfect by any means.
Combine this with productivity culture and any sane person would lose it, especially one that’s a parent.
I’ve learned that there is no productivity in parenting. As a business owner and mom I’m learning about flow. Only a few things will get done in a day, energy decides most of that, and the baby’s naps and mood will decide the rest. Trying to batch create to save time or get things done in a certain order never works. I’m learning to let go of all the productivity hacks I’ve learned over the years and to embrace intuition and cycle syncing instead. (Seriously, if you don’t know about cycle syncing, it’s a game changer!)
Leaning into intuition, how things feel and gut instincts, made all the difference for me and allowed me to feel more creative in everyday tasks. The more I lean into trusting the feminine side of myself, the more space creativity has inside of me and is ready to pour out.
Reclaiming Your Creativity
In the charkas, everything starts with the root. This is where our fundamental needs are. When you feel safe and secure and have your basic needs met, energy moves. From the root we move to the sacral chakra where creativity flows. If this chakra is blocked or your root chakra is (meaning your basic needs aren’t met or you are in flight or fight mode) then you have nowhere to store creative energy, limiting your creative drive.
So what are ways in which your creative drive might be running low?
- You aren’t getting enough rest, are exhausted, are doing too much
- You are constantly stressed/overwhelmed
- You aren’t eating nutritious food that is giving you energy
- You are having health problems
- Struggling with anxiety or depression
- Struggling within close relationships (Significant other, friends, family, or self)
- Loss of self (Very common postpartum making the creativity an all time low the months following having a baby)
Basically, self-care hasn’t been a priority and therefore your creative self hasn’t been a priority. You need to be full in order to pour out and that doesn’t just mean to take care of others. Pouring out is also being creative, giving back to the world.
If you’ve read my post about self-care and this multi-billion dollar industry, you’ll know I have a lot of problems with this hype word. But taking time for yourself, tuning into your body and noticing what you need in any given moment is something I deeply believe in. I don’t think a new nail polish, face mask, or massage will change your life (they might be a drop in the bucket) but think that cost no money and allow you moments to be bored, find rest, re-charge, and bring you back to yourself make all the difference. (You can find more ideas of these here.)
Make Space for Wonder
My 11 month old watches the world in awe. From a tissue sitting on his head to when dad arrives home after being gone for what feels like forever.
My 5 year old dog is in awe of a ball appearing out of nowhere and being thrown, over and over and over again. He’s just as in awe of a baby’s foot coming out of nowhere and kicking his back, over and over and over again.
My 33 year old self is in awe of the birds coming back to the yard after being gone all winter long. Of how bread rises after being left alone, in a dark warm room, for hours (that might be a life lesson right there).
I didn’t notice the bird migrations until last spring at 8 months pregnant. I would sit in my favorite chair and just stare at the backyard for hours. We invested in bird feeds, new binoculars and my mom bought me a copy of Slow Birding to learn more about these birds that come and visit me year after year. Now, I’m noticing them again and remembering how wonderful it is to have these visitors after a long winter.
Invitation: Find Your Creative Spark
First I encourage you to find space in your day to slow down. To notice something small. To find wonder. To discover everyday magic (and if a print would help remind you to do that, please find one here!)
Once your basic needs — health, safety, security — have been tended to, I invite you to do something small. Pick up a paint-by-number kit at the art store. Grab a new cookbook from the library. Make your own bouquet of flowers with the affordable selection at Trader Joe’s. Invite people over for a dinner party or game night.
If you’re in the Denver area, I highly recommend my painting workshop! This two-hour workshop is an invitation to get creative, connect with new people, and experience living fully in your creative energy. Leave perfection at the door and come to try something new. The goal isn’t to turn you into the next museum worthy artist, but to allow you the time and space to play. A key ingredient to embracing your creative energy (Libido!).
You Were Born Creative
You, my dear, were born creative. It has always been a part of you and will continue to be a part of you until the day you die. (Even then, energy cannot be destroyed and so you go on to be a creative part of something else.)
The idea that you have to be productive always and that you’re never enough isn’t serving any of us. So let’s drop it. Instead, let’s live in flow, trust our guts, find rest, embrace wonder, and reunite with that creative self hiding within. I want to be friends with her. I think she’s just waiting for the invitation.
