We all feel this pressure when we create sometimes. Some of us more than others. Some of us do it by putting pressure for money, deadlines, and others self made pressure. This pressure can suck the joy out of creating. For me I decided long ago not to play along. I never place a dollar amount on what I create. However, I do fall into the deadline category sometimes. It is a painful feeling to place pressure into my creativity. Creativity is a natural thing for everyone. It is a practice we should all partake of. When we place pressure on our creativity we lose our creative freedom and therefore do not see being creative as a fun, freeing experience.
How can we be free creatively?
1. By being kind to ourselves. NO harsh self talk. When these voices come into your head just ask them politely to go away and then see some good in what you have created or the creative thought you are nurturing.
2. Don’t box yourself in. If you are photographer and you want to paint. Go paint. I say this because I did this. For a lot of years I stopped playing in paint and just played with my camera. One day I decided to play in paint again and it is what I do most of the time. I still take pictures and I adore photography but it is not my path right now. Right now it is painting. So I am following it.
3. Start your creative process with the bold NO PRESSURE attitude. Just have fun and enjoy it.
4. Remember creativity is your God given right. You were born a creative, we all were. Do not put a place marker in your creativity. Don’t compare yourself to others or let them compare themselves to you. You do not have to be the best or even place yourself in some rank. “You are you. That is truer than true. No one can be you better than you.” Dr. Seuss
