How to develop a Creative Practice
Having a meditation practice, or a Yoga or Tai Chi practice is key to our general health and wellbeing. What these practices give us is a connection to a deeper aspect of who we are. A part that nourishes and supports us as we cope with the daily stresses of life.
The trouble is they don’t suit everyone and can sometimes make us feel worse because we know they’re good for us but still don’t do them. Having a Creative Practice offers the same opportunity to form a deep connection with your deeper Self and when used with that intention resources us at every level.
Your Creative Practice
You could think of your Creative Practice as a new way to have a conversation with yourself. Images and symbols are the language used for this conversation and the more open you are to just drawing something, anything, the more willing your conscious mind will be to let go of knowing.
When you’re making the image it takes you deeper into the meaning without the burden of trying to figure out the message yet. Trust the process
Using a journal to make notes beside or around your image allows you to take a step back and reflect on the experience of making the image.
Reflect on the image itself and see if there is more to it than first experienced.
Challenge your own assumptions about what it might mean.
Be open to the possibility of seeing whatever you were making the image about from a new perspective.
True creativity has nothing to do with being an artist, and everything to do with being authentic.
When to use your Creative Practice.
1. Just to check-in with yourself.
You can do this every day or once a week. You can use a meditation or creative visualisation to help you come into a relaxed receptive state. You might pose a question into that receptive space such as how am I right now?
OR what was my dream trying to tell me OR what part of me is calling for attention?
2. When something is bothering you.
This could be a relationship or a situation where you feel stuck. Questions you might ask if something is bothering you are,
How is this situation serving me?
What this situation pointing me towards, or what do I need to see?
What is this relationship showing me about myself?
What do I need to understand here?
3. When you want to improve a particular aspect of your life.
This could be about your work life, money, some aspect of your appearance, a characteristic you’re not at ease with. It could be a confidence issue, relationship matters or a closer examination of your relationship with your own life purpose.
These are guidelines rather than instruction and I encourage you to make the practice your own. The structure is there to help you get started but you will get the most from your practice by finding out what works best for you. Think of these as starting points to begin your own creative practice and the more you do it, the more it will become your own.
What to do once you’ve made an image. Reflection
This is when you really begin to engage in the conversation. It’s an opportunity to see what the image is pointing you towards. Writing some words around the image, just impressions or the feeling you are left with after making it is a good place to start. Here are some guidelines to follow as you journal about the image and begin your journey of using creativity as a resource.
1. After you’ve made an image and feel satisfied that it’s complete, step back and try to name your impression of the image.
The image you’ve made will be different from your inner experience of it and the critic may distract you with judgements, so remember it’s about the process not the product. The made image gives you an opportunity to see what you have included and what you have left out. Does this editing tell you anything about yourself or the situation under review?
2. What emotion does the image evoke?
Be receptive to the image in front of you and ask, what do I feel looking at it?
Reflection means you’ve begun to move away from the inner experience and the emotion connected with that. The made image may evoke different feelings. Include both in your notes along with any emotions you had while making the image itself.
3. If the image before you could speak, what would it say?
Take time to listen. This might come in the form of a title or a statement.
Allow the image to speak for itself rather than over-thinking it.
4. What quality would you say this image has?
Qualities are attributes or characteristics of the image that can give you insights into whatever the image was about for you. Take time to consider these qualities and their presence or lack thereof in your life right now.
5. If you were to guess, what would you say the image needs?
Just accept the first thing that comes into your mind when you ask the question. With that answer in mind, think about that need in relation to the topic under review when you began making the image. Consider ways you might meet that need.
6. What is the feeling you are left with?
7. What insight about yourself have you gained from this image?
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Whatever your experience working with images, trust the process. The meaning and message of an image may come to you later or on second review. This is why it’s always a good idea to keep your images together and it’s an interesting experience to look back on older images as they have the power to take you right back into the moment.
The purpose of developing a creative practice is to bridge the gap between conscious and unconscious mind. It’s a way to come into relationship with yourself at a deeper level. The more self-awareness you have, the better you can understand why you behave or feel the way you do and can bring compassion to your own suffering. Developing your creative practice is a way to meet what arises in you with an open heart and a curious mind.
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