Your daily life has changed in the span of just a few weeks.
The news you see on the media can feel unnerving. Overwhelming, even.
But this unexpected situation raises some unique opportunities. You might, for example, find yourself with more free time.
How will you use that extra time?
You could use that time worrying about the news and obsessing about forces beyond your control.
Or…
You could use that time in a more constructive way.
Like learning how to tap into your creativity.
Believe it or not, creativity can do so much for your overall well-being. In these uncertain times, creativity may be exactly what you need when you’re feeling overwhelmed with life.
What’s So Great About Creativity?
“Coronavirus is sweeping nations and you’re telling me to be creative?”
Valid question, I know. But here are a few benefits of creativity that may surprise you.
Soothe Your Anxiety-Wracked Mind
There seems to be an update on COVID-19 every hour. Tune in for long enough and you’re bound to feel the stress and anxiety creeping in.
Creativity is more than painting a pretty picture. It actually has a positive effect on your health. One study found that “creative engagement can decrease anxiety, stress, and mood disturbances”.
Tapping into your creative spirit will do more for your health than the coronavirus alerts beeping on your phone.
Tapping into your creative spirit will do more for your health than the coronavirus alerts beeping on your phone. Click To Tweet
Feel Empowered
Overwhelm can feel like the walls are closing in on you.
Right now, those walls might represent coronavirus and financial strain.
This can leave you feeling helpless and hopeless.
And you’re probably not feeling very creative at that moment.
But when you engage your creativity, you’re taking action.
Whether it’s painting, writing, or some other skill, you’re giving form to your ideas.
You’re creating!
And that can feel incredibly empowering — something you desperately need when you’re drowning in overwhelm.
Get Out of Your Head and Into Flow
Ever thrown yourself into a creative project, looked at the time, and realized that four hours flew by?
You slipped into flow state.
When you enter flow state, you’re completely immersed in an activity. Your mind is freed from the outside world.
You’re living entirely in the present moment.
Sounds amazing, right?
Even if you’ve been engaged for hours, flow tends to not trigger signs of burnout.
Instead, you often feel energized. Joyful. Fulfilled.
That’s why I want to help you tap into your creative flow.
How to Tap Into Your Creativity and Feel Empowered Again
#1 Choose Your Craft
Tapping into creative flow starts with choosing a craft.
What are you good at?
It may be helpful to return to your childhood interests. What activities did you gravitate to?
Was it painting or drawing? Or maybe your inclinations were more musical.
Don’t think, though, that creativity and artistry are the same. While there are many overlaps, creativity doesn’t necessarily need to be traditionally artistic.
Any of the following can still be considered creative pursuits:
- Business development
- Tech skills (e.g., coding, video editing)
- Speaking to an audience (e.g. YouTube, podcasting, consulting)
- Organizing
What is your creative craft? Share it in the comments below!
#2 Create a Designated Space
We create spaces and assign them specific meanings.
The kitchen is for cooking. The library is for studying. And the office is for working.
The same can go for your creativity. Create a designated space that is optimized for nurturing your creativity.
A place where your mind is free from distractions — because distractions can block your creative flow.
But right now, it may be difficult, especially if you’re confined to your home.
You’ll have to make do with what you have.
Perhaps you can clear a corner in your living room. Or you might discover some valuable real estate after you declutter your garage.
The point is to create a space solely for creative expression.
#3 Channel Your Inner Child
Do you know why children tend to be so creative?
Their minds and hearts are unburdened by the responsibilities of adulthood.
Children don’t worry about clocking in or putting food on the table.
They have space and time for creative ideas to bloom and manifest.
Reconnect with your child-like state.
The world will always be waiting for you. But for a few hours, can you channel what it felt like to be young and carefree? Can you give yourself permission to play again?
When you do, you might clear more space in your brain for creativity.
#4 Morning Pages
In The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, she talks about Morning Pages. Morning Pages “are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning “.
There’s no right or wrong way to write morning pages.
Whatever’s in your mind, get it down on paper:
- How you’re feeling
- Your goals
- How you slept
- What you want for lunch
The point is to just start writing.
And that’s the tricky part in any creative pursuit — getting started.
Many women might be afraid to get creative. You might be skeptical of your skills. Or perhaps you fear criticism — from yourself or others.
Morning pages help you overcome those inner fears. The goal isn’t how good your writing is — it’s that you did the work.
Creative flow is all about doing and engaging with your craft.
Morning pages help you make creativity a daily habit. I’ve made journaling a cornerstone practice in my own morning routine. Writing my thoughts, feelings, and goals is a liberating and creative experience for me.
Can You Choose Creativity in Your Overwhelm?
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by COVID-19.
How can you even think about creative expression?
But these circumstances, which are often outside your control, don’t have to smother your fire.
There’s a burning spirit within you that’s begging you to give it form.
Get lost in your flow state.
There’s something uniquely you that you can share with the world.
In the empowerment and joy you gain from creative expression, you’ll find what you have to offer to yourself and to the world.
And I’m here to help you discover that. If you want to rise above your overwhelm, sign up for my complimentary “Overcoming Overwhelm” Discovery session.
In this 60-minute consultation you’ll:
- Reveal a clear and compelling vision of what else is possible for your life when you no longer have so much on your plate and are enjoying your life again
- Get simple and practical tips for how to break free from your symptoms of overwhelm
- Tap into greater energy and inspiration
- Explore how having a partner on your journey will provide a shortcut to all that you desire.
Click here now to sign up for a complimentary “Overcoming Overwhelm” Discovery session.
Whitney believed in me and saw what I couldn’t.
Whitney is a joy to work with. Her compassion, deep listening skills and coaching supported me to accomplish and move forward in areas of my business where I’ve previously felt like I was spinning my wheels. I’m now doing what I set out to do with love and compassion for myself!
Thank you Whitney for believing in me and seeing what I couldn’t. I highly recommend Whitney to anyone interested in upleveling their life and especially upleveling their self-care.
Hi, I’m Dr. Whitney
