CreativeRx: Creative Health is found in consistency, not performance; we're allowed to have fun (and dance!); the artistic philosophy that embraces imperfection rather than hide it.
"The thing is: Scientific research shows us, again and again, that our brains and bodies literally do not register how “skilled” we are at creating when it comes to our health. It doesn’t even matter if we feel inspired or confident or knowledgeable while we’re doing it."
I'm so curious to hear more about this claim. Are there any citations that you'd highly recommend I check out? I'm so sorry if I missed them as part of the article. I will read more about the Daydreamers study finding.
The concept of the "Creator's Runner's High" showing up 48 hours later really intrigues me - have you noticed any patterns in what types of creative activities produce the strongest delayed effects? I'm wondering if there's something about working with physical materials versus digital creation that changes how those benefits manifest.
Yes - your thinking is spot on! We actually just covered the science behind what I call the "hand-brain connection" in our last deep dive (the impact of creating with physical materials vs digital). And this week's Deep Dive we're going to unpack our findings on which creative activities give you the biggest bang for your buck :) The science on that is quite new, but this has been a large focus for our work at Daydreamers!
I must be living this current writing in tandem! These past few 24 hours have been all about letting the ugly and the mess be in my very controlled paintings. Needless to say, I have been grumpy and insecure. And fortunately I know better and accept that this is exactly what I need to experience. And,yes, I stayed with the ugly painting and I didn’t give up on the book that goes with it. It is just as challenging to let go and be open as a professional artist as it is for someone terrified of beginning a creative act. From either viewpoint,it involves surrender.
And trust. Which turns into excitement if you let it do its thing.
So, yesterday and this morning I surrendered and threw a mess into my painting. I like it. And yesterday,when I wanted the world around me to shut up so I could concentrate ( I was writing in a very loud public space with my dog who wasn’t behaving )I wrote anyway. And it sucked.
But, I like where it is taking me. Here’s to creativity and the superpower that it is.
Thank you for sharing this experience Susannah!! I think it's so important to acknowledge the grumpy / annoying / frustrating feelings that can come up when we're shifting out of performance and into the process of creating. To me, I always view those experiences as the natural "purge" of perfectionism, judgement and expectation that are precursors to being in the flow. And sometimes, that friction is exactly what opens up more space to create more honestly, freely and courageously.
Your comment about creating more honestly,freely and courageously strikes home for me. A shift already occurred right after this post.I think also, that when we verbalize the change as it is occurring….it takes form. Speaking it into being. As I was writing my latest pages that are a companion to the paintings, I noticed a more playful and effortless piece of the story unfold. I have to say, it has the honesty of a child and this is both surprising (because it is inside of me)and fresh.
I so enjoyed this read!
"The thing is: Scientific research shows us, again and again, that our brains and bodies literally do not register how “skilled” we are at creating when it comes to our health. It doesn’t even matter if we feel inspired or confident or knowledgeable while we’re doing it."
I'm so curious to hear more about this claim. Are there any citations that you'd highly recommend I check out? I'm so sorry if I missed them as part of the article. I will read more about the Daydreamers study finding.
I’m so glad it resonates!! The study + science is covered in depth in our last Deep Dive here: https://daydreamerspace.substack.com/p/how-to-turn-your-creativity-into
The concept of the "Creator's Runner's High" showing up 48 hours later really intrigues me - have you noticed any patterns in what types of creative activities produce the strongest delayed effects? I'm wondering if there's something about working with physical materials versus digital creation that changes how those benefits manifest.
Yes - your thinking is spot on! We actually just covered the science behind what I call the "hand-brain connection" in our last deep dive (the impact of creating with physical materials vs digital). And this week's Deep Dive we're going to unpack our findings on which creative activities give you the biggest bang for your buck :) The science on that is quite new, but this has been a large focus for our work at Daydreamers!
I must be living this current writing in tandem! These past few 24 hours have been all about letting the ugly and the mess be in my very controlled paintings. Needless to say, I have been grumpy and insecure. And fortunately I know better and accept that this is exactly what I need to experience. And,yes, I stayed with the ugly painting and I didn’t give up on the book that goes with it. It is just as challenging to let go and be open as a professional artist as it is for someone terrified of beginning a creative act. From either viewpoint,it involves surrender.
And trust. Which turns into excitement if you let it do its thing.
So, yesterday and this morning I surrendered and threw a mess into my painting. I like it. And yesterday,when I wanted the world around me to shut up so I could concentrate ( I was writing in a very loud public space with my dog who wasn’t behaving )I wrote anyway. And it sucked.
But, I like where it is taking me. Here’s to creativity and the superpower that it is.
Thank you for sharing this experience Susannah!! I think it's so important to acknowledge the grumpy / annoying / frustrating feelings that can come up when we're shifting out of performance and into the process of creating. To me, I always view those experiences as the natural "purge" of perfectionism, judgement and expectation that are precursors to being in the flow. And sometimes, that friction is exactly what opens up more space to create more honestly, freely and courageously.
Keep us updated on how it continues to shift :)
Your comment about creating more honestly,freely and courageously strikes home for me. A shift already occurred right after this post.I think also, that when we verbalize the change as it is occurring….it takes form. Speaking it into being. As I was writing my latest pages that are a companion to the paintings, I noticed a more playful and effortless piece of the story unfold. I have to say, it has the honesty of a child and this is both surprising (because it is inside of me)and fresh.