In my last newsletter, I told you about a series of work that I called my “Accidental Protest” series that I began in January of 2017. It wasn’t planned—I hadn’t set out to create “serious” pieces with strong social justice messages outside of my Victims Quilt Project. But as the year unfolded, I found myself turning to art as an outlet for expressing some intense feelings bubbling up inside me. Creating these pieces brought me a sense of relief and grounding. Even so, I know how hard it can be to begin creating when life feels heavy and overwhelming.
So, how can you start creating when you know it’s what you need, but motivation feels out of reach? Here are a few ideas:
- Start with Words
If you feel emotionally overloaded and aren’t sure where to begin creatively, try writing as a release. Julia Cameron’s “Morning Pages” are a wonderful exercise for this; they don’t have to be done in the morning—any time works. Pull out three sheets of paper and write anything and everything that comes to mind. Dump your thoughts onto the page and clear out some of that mental clutter. Sometimes, clearing your mind this way makes room for creative energy to flow. - Start by Letting Go of Goals
Ease into the creative process without pressure. Instead of aiming to launch a new project, try a bit of sketching, pull out some paint and mix colors, or play with textures. Just create for the sake of creating—no goals, no judgments. Let the act itself be the reward. - Start Small
- Small acts of creativity can be just as fulfilling as larger projects. Consider creating a small, experimental piece—a study where you try out a new technique, color palette, or material without any pressure to “finish” or perfect it. These small studies are a safe space to explore, make mistakes, and play. Sometimes, they even spark ideas that grow into something bigger, but even on their own, these small, unpolished works can be incredibly satisfying and refreshing.
Creativity doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, especially when life feels overwhelming. Taking small steps, whether through making art, writing, or simply experimenting, can help you reconnect with your creative self and find calm in challenging times. Start where you are, and trust that each small effort brings you closer to creative renewal.
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