Creativity, Disruption: How to Return to Work

This weekend my husband and I spent two hours cleaning our attic on top of the garage each day. This project felt overwhelming, but we made great progress with big clean as they both work hard.

I have unearthed many abandoned projects: a 4-5 page sketchbook of my art, the rest is blank. A notebook with lines of my awful cursive writing. Another outline. A list of ideas for novels and short stories. A transparent plastic bag filled with balls and chains of thread. Understand – I’m not knitting or crocheting.

Since March 1994, we have opened a cardboard box filled with newspapers. I opened a crumpled paper protecting glassware, Chinese cuisine and ceramics.

Emotional whispers of memory

I have experienced a wide range of emotions. It experienced a wide range of emotions, reminiscent of a family that had passed away and the pictures smiled at me, as if they were patiently sitting in the room next to me. GuiltI think hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars, have been spent on ski equipment, computer components, and YES (yards and yard fabric).

Also great happiness It was still there by discovering and celebrating the fact that the project was left semi-finished. In particular, one clear plastic ziplock bag filled me with joy when I saw a reversible quilted jacket that I made, or started, in the year I began my doctoral research in 2013. I made this jacket for my weekend trip and visited my daughter in San Francisco and found the jacket was too big. What was secreted into this plastic bag was all the pieces I had already broken down.

The whispers are resurfaced

How many times have I thought about the project?

And then I put the bag in another bag. Next, I temporarily lost the project, but thankfully, two days later it resurfaced.

When we create, we often experience interruptions. These moments can occur at any point in the creative process, from ideas to purchasing and assemble resources, editing and revision until the final project is obtained.

Listen to creative pauses

At any point along the creation and artmaking continuum, we face two choices.

Sometimes we know that our projects are wrong and can confidently say no. Sometimes we abandon this idea, even if we already invest in creating it. But the efficient step is simply to stop.

You may also suspend the product in the process. Our lives are too busy. The holiday may be approaching. The movement and changes in the landscape make us feel modest.

The third option, and for some of us, frequent results, end the project. We know that it’s going on. We put it for sale. Send to the editor. We give it to our friends.

He said yes.

When there is no word in the whisper

Interesting – when we encounter an idea or concept, it may call us in a language that we don’t understand. A kernel of ideas with no size, shape or color – it’s the essence. The kernel speaks to us nonverbal.

You, my fellow artists/makers/creators, must learn to hear and interpret the call. Be open to the essence. Prepare for planting the seeds. Be prepared to grow and grow it.

Practice whispering “yes”

I believe in this gardening process of sowing, cultivating and weeding that allows you to learn and practice its essence. It brings a great harvest.

Try this: Start by adopting acceptance rituals.

Say: Yes, in a whisper.
Say: Yes, I’m ready.
Say: Yes, I can hear it.
Say: I understand you.
Say: I’m ready to give you life.
Say: Yes.
Say: Yes, it becomes the essence of the idea and moves on.

The soul will fine tune

Whisper and remember that even the quietest sounds in a noisy space, you’re ready to hear them, and the noise is in your head.

Place your hands flat on a desk or table. Put your palm down. Next, relax your hands and bend your fingers slightly.

Note the tension in the hands, the wrists, forearms, elbows and shoulders.

Close your eyes and try to relax.

Now let your fingers dance!

1. First, raise and lower the little finger on your left hand. Place a gentle faucet on the desk and move up and down quickly.
2. Then ring finger, center, pointer, thumb.
3. Meanwhile, start with thumb, pointer, middle, ring and pinky.
4. Next, reverse the order.
5. Finally, tap both the pinky, the fingers of the ring, the fingers of the inside, the pointer and thumb at once.
6. Again, reverse the order.
7. Don’t forget to breathe or come out slowly while exercising.

Closed for flashy finger dance:

1. Turn your hands and point your palms towards you.
2. Place your right hand on the left.
3. Fold your fingers firmly but gently grasp them.
4. Internally, the Express Thanks.

This ritual is your anchor. The anchor still holds you – it’s well enough to take action. And the action, no matter how big or small, is your step.

Once you’re ready, if the world calls you back to family care and serve your work, acknowledge those roles as well.

Know that you are lucky when you work hours for others. Your salary acknowledges that this service provides value.

Also, know that the work you do without compensation is important. Keep your home organized, feed yourself and your family, find space for rest and sleep.