I did it!

I took a huge leap of faith and started building a new creativity business aimed at nurturing and caring for creative souls.

Excitement bubbled inside me. I was driving, and I caught myself grinning like a loon as new energy bounced around inside my chest and ping-ponged through my heart. I was listening to a podcast called Stumbling Toward Genius by Cynthia Morris.

Cynthia is an artist and coach. Here is a woman who does something similar to what I dream of doing, and surprise, surprise… she lives in Denver, only an hour or so away from me. I always marvel at Serendipity, and I love it when things line up in miraculous ways. I don’t believe in coincidences, so I know this is meant to be, and my soul sings. Maybe one day soon, I’ll get to meet her.

On her podcast, Cynthia was interviewing Marcus McAllister, an artist in Paris who spoke about working daily in an art journal, which reminded me how I too used to work through my challenges by drawing them out. He so inspired me that I stopped by Hobby Lobby and picked up a journal, a drawing pencil, and a new eraser. I also bought a full sheet of Arches 140 pound cold-press watercolor paper. Then I rushed home, unable to wait to return to the play and nourishment of creating just for fun. 

Creativity is play—it’s sacred play.

I want to love on and nurture creatives who feel blocked and stunted. I want to help creatives bring play and joy back into their art and care for their weary soul. Our creative spirit's sustenance comes from creating. But we push our muse to the end of a line of priorities so long her artistic essence becomes empty, dry, and starts to crack. The result is an artist who feels there is nothing left to give. One who fears the blank page, canvas, musical staff, or dance floor.

For more on creative joy and play, check out my previous post on Creative Play

My Current Creative Business

I am a fiction author by trade, which is a creative venture, to be sure. I adore expressing my imagination in stories in books to share with others. I’m sure I’ve never done anything so gratifying and fulfilling for myself. But, I didn’t start writing until my forties, when my four kids flew the coop. I finally had time—or so I thought—to write, paint, draw, sew, make stained glass, garden, and ride my horse, but… something different happened.

Becoming an Author

I wrote my first book and fell in love with writing. I finished my first series and realized other people seemed to like my style. My family and friends supported me though they thought of my writing as a cute little hobby. In my heart, I knew my craft was worth more than a pat on the head. I started my second series, and things started taking off. I made decent money at this newfound love. My third series sealed the deal. I was a successful author. Click here to visit my Amazon Author Page.

Being a successful, independent author, also meant I ran a small business. The business side of writing started gobbling more and more of my time. Soon, I forced my writing into a schedule so I could write fast enough to keep my readers happy and continue to make a career from my art. The delight I first fell in love with began to falter. But, I didn’t have time to notice. I had a business to run and a product to sell.

Turning What You Love into a Business

Before I go any further, I should clarify. There is nothing wrong with taking something you love and making money at it. In fact, isn’t that the dream? Well, yes, and no. Yes, it is a huge blessing to be able to make an income doing something you love… as long as you continue to love it.

In the American culture, we value hard work. And that is a good thing, right? The challenge is when we believe that busyness equates to hard work. All the to do lists involve hard work and we’re often exhausted at the end of the day. If you ask me, the real question is: Did we love all the moments?

In the name of hard work, I came to the unhappy realization that I had choked the joy out of my creative soul. My art had become A JOB.

Are You a Blocked Creative?

That’s my story. Perhaps you see parts of yourself in my words, or perhaps your story is very different. But if you are a creative (shhh... secret: everyone is!) you have probably experienced a few sensations that are common to all artistic souls. The horrible moment(s) of staring at that blank page, canvas, song sheet. This is generally when we start complaining that we are “blocked.”

Now, I’m going to shock you. I don’t believe in creative blocks. Not really. I mean, I know what we feel when we find ourselves in that depleted place. But I have fantastic news! You have the power to change that empty feeling, and you can do it right away.

Maybe You're NOT Blocked After All

My perspective is we that we, as creatives, are never actually blocked. The state of being blocked refers to being stopped, as though a gate has closed, and you are no longer allowed entry. Instead, I believe we have simply run ourselves dry.

One of My Favorite Sayings:

"You can't pour from an empty cup."

I believe in my bones that we are not blocked; we’re empty! Semantics, you say? Well… I am a writer after all, and I’m fond of saying, “Words matter.”

If we use the word blocked, that implies we must perform some heavy lifting, or bashing through to remove whatever is in our way. But we can’t see or feel what is blocking us, so how do we perform such a chore? And what does our muse have to do with this block – if anything? And where is that muse, by the way?

How Can We Refill Our Cups?

If we claim the notion that our creative cup is merely empty and dry, then all we need to do is refill our cups! No bashing and crashing needed! Perhaps our poor muse is draped on the stairs, faint with dehydration, and will come to with a little refreshment.

So, how do we do this?

First, I have to confess, though I believe my theory to be true, and know the solution to stifled creativity is much simpler than we often make it, I have been a hypocrite to my own ideal.

I am a multi-expression creative and have been since I was little. But lately, say the past five years, I have only been writing. I love writing and it brings me a ton of joy. But I left behind some crucial gifts—the ones that nourish my soul. Namely, drawing, painting, stained glass, quilting, art journaling, singing... you name it. Any type of creating. And consequently, I’m getting close to the bottom of my well.

My joy is parched and a vague sense of fear oozes from the crumbling walls of the empty pit. That fear whispers, “You’re done. You have nothing left. Who do you think you are, anyway?”

Replenish and Revive Your Muse

I desperately need to replenish. As soon as I realized this, I got excited. Because I can take immediate action before my muse gasps her last breath from her parched throat and turns to dust. It turns out I have more to teach myself than I do anyone else, but perhaps my lesson and my path will resonate with other artistic souls and I can bring you with me. My message comes from a place standing shoulder to shoulder with other creatives struggling with the same symptoms of a dried-out spirit.

The Pressure of Producing

Sometimes we look at a blank page or an empty easel and wonder if we’re blocked. I’m quite familiar with that sensation. But good news! I also know the best way to avoid that empty feeling of bewilderment, of not knowing what to do when I want to produce something but instead drawing a blank. One key is the word produce, and the energy behind it.

When the goal of our art is production, when we assign a value to it beyond what is intrinsic, we heap pressure on our spirits to perform. That performance weighs even more if there is a dollar amount attached to it. Now, don’t misunderstand me. There is nothing wrong with making a living from your creative gift. If you are fortunate enough to be in that situation, hallelujah! Just be aware of the added pressure and remember to take good care of your creative spirit.

Heal by Creating Something New

What is the answer to the blank page, the dehydrated muse, the broken spirit?

Create more!

Creating heals your soul. But I’m blocked! Your heart cries. No, precious Creative, you’re tired and dry. First, you must triage your body. Partake in some much-needed soothing self-care. Then, when you’re physically refreshed, get ready to play. Your muse needs to play. Creating must become fun again. Check out my previous blog on Creative Play for more thoughts on that topic.

Élan Vital Create

At the beginning of this post, I mentioned my new business, Élan Vital Create. Originally, I was going to call it Cross Train Your Creativity. But as I sat with those words, they felt too harsh. Cross training elicits ideas of painful, sweaty exercise, whereas creation nurtures your soul. It’s far more loving and softer, gentle and warm, blissful and nourishing. So, I searched for something better. When I stumbled on the word Élan, which means energy, style, and enthusiasm, and then on the combination of Élan and Vital, which speaks of the vital force or impulse of life—a creative principle—my soul jumped within me!

Inspiration Hides in Many Places

For me, inspiration found me in my car, while listening to a podcast! 

We must nurture our creative soul by creating and we should try something other than our usual media of choice. Together, we must learn new things to grow and stretch. We must re-learn to play. Creativity is play—it’s sacred play.