2013 Wellness Challenge Week 33: Creation
Last week I got into a big discussion with a close friend about alternative healing modalities and personality typing systems. Specifically, the conversation revolved around the Ayurvedic doshas and the enneagram. It got me thinking more and more about how, when, why and what I create.
It was a timely discussion considering I’m in creation mode these days, preparing to launch a new podcast with more incredible conversations and inspiring life journeys from successful women all over the world. I’m also creating my first ever “live” online course, to help women like you live a more balanced, healthy and wealthy life. And then there’s the upcoming move and the inevitable “creation” of my new life in Tucson.
When I talk about creation here, I’m not necessarily talking about creativity, although much of creation requires creativity. Creation, in the context of this conversation at least, is the action we take to bring our ideas into reality. Creation is the programs, services, products, events, experiences, food and moments we make based on the intersection of our mental (sixth chakra) and physical (third chakra) energy. It’s not really about how good what you create really is – although we all get caught up in wanting to produce quality stuff. It’s more about creating in the first place and putting yourself out there.
How the Brain Halts Creation
For example. I’ve been sitting on my online course for a long time now. The first iteration of it came to me back in the spring, and potentially even before that. I wanted to try it out first in a physical workshop setting, but the timing wasn’t right and I missed my chance. I then scheduled it into the calendar for October, but then upon closer examination, realized that wasn’t the right timing either. I was falling into the perfection trap – waiting for the right moment to unleash my baby into the world, afraid that I’d be rejected and jumbling up rejection of my online course with rejection of me as a person (which is utterly ridiculous but something we all do). It’s easy for me to get stuck in the throes of ideation and never actually create.
Do you create but never show your creations to the world?
In the context of wellness, creation is an important component of feeling fulfilled. If our ideas stay floating around in our head and we never get the time to build them, we’ll feel resentment, frustration and overwhelm. There may even be a lingering sense of sadness that haunts us as we continually knock creation time to the bottom of the to-do list until it disappears forever. We all create differently, but its important to take stock of your primary mode of creation and mix things up from time to time.
The Different Modes of Creation
For me, I create intellectually. The action part of my creation cycle is to actually write what I intellectually think about and push publish. To create courses around content that makes sense and can help others. If I sit on it, not only do I suffer from information overwhelm, I also feel sad that I’m not creating for my women, that I’m not helping and that I’m not making a difference. It’s not anyone’s fault but my own, as I’m simply standing in my own way.
For others, creation is about art – drawings, painting, sewing, photography, movement expression, such as dance or even yoga. Others really enjoy creating delicious dishes of food to serve to their family and others. And still others love nothing more than to create experiences – that might be the noble goal of a teacher, a server, an event planner or a mom.
Balancing Creation To Create a Healthy Life
For creation to be healthy, we all must find our own unique balance of creation pursuits. I must find the time to write, but I also need to put down the pen, get out of my head and into my body. That’s one reason why yoga is so good for me. To switch up creation modes gives one part of my brain a good rest and activates another part of my brain. Exercising your brain through creation is just like exercising your body. You don’t do the same thing every day, or your muscles will eventually normalize to whatever activity you repeat over and over and you’ll no longer grow.
Healthy, balanced creation is good for your soul, your brain and your body. Make sure you’re not ignoring the human need to create within you, even if you fill like you have nothing meaningful or worthwhile to create. The first step is to just put pen to paper. The second step is believing you have something worthwhile to say.
Be wary of over-creation as well. Over-creation with no rest is the certain path to burn-out. To get there for yourself, you must be willing to play with the following tenets of healthy creation.
1. Open up to vulnerability
First you have to understand that creation invites vulnerability. All creation is expression. Expression is always vulnerable, whether we feel confident or not. Everyone else always has a choice as to how they will receive our expression.
2. Do the work
Put the pen to paper, the paintbrush to canvas, the glue to the popsicle sticks or the needle to fabric. Get your butt on the yoga mat, go to the grocery store to get your ingredients for dinner. The hardest part is always showing up.
3. Consciously choose your creation methods
Become aware of how you best like to create. What comes most naturally to you? What do you enjoy creating the most? How are you already creating in your life? Are there any creation modes that interest you but you haven’t tried? Use creation as a means for self-discovery.
4. Schedule it in
For me at least, if I don’t put it on the calendar, chances are I won’t do it. Treat your creation like a vital to-do item on your daily list. It’s just as important as the work you do to bring in income for your family or to care for you children.
5. Experiment
Adopt an experimentation mentality – some acts of creation may fail and others you might knock out of the park. Be open to new ideas, and remember – all of life is really just one big experiment.
6. Reflect
Once you’re finished creating, make sure you spend some time reflecting on how it went. Write in your journal or sit in meditation and review your creation. How did it make you feel when you were creating? How was your creation received? Was it a success or a failure? Why? What are you going to create next?
Are you getting your creation time in? What’s your favorite way to create? Please leave a comment below and let me know what you do to create!
Image credit: JP..
