Staying creative amidst instability: 5 tested actions
TL;DR
Try it: Skip to the end for your free journal prompts to take action
"So while our art cannot, as we wish it could, save us from wars, privation, envy, greed, old age, or death, it can revitalize us amidst it all.” ~ Ray Bradbury
Disruption and instability. They’re inevitable in life. So how do you regain a sense of balance and well-being when the ground beneath you keeps moving? How do you stay creative¹ when constrained by space or time?
Having moved 5 times in the last 3 years, including across the world to start over, my household has had its fair share of disruption. This month, my household is living in temporary accommodation, our belongings stored, while our floors are repaired from Christmas day storm damage. That backs onto 8 months of constant tradespeople for critical repairs on our new home, for issues unknown to us beforehand.
While I am so grateful for the privilege of living on beautiful Kombumerri country, I share this experience as one example of when the ground just won’t settle - do you know that feeling?
Maybe you’re going through career uncertainty or job changes. Perhaps an important relationship is in upheaval. You may be experiencing some form of displacement, or even going through the continuous adjustments required with chronic health issues or injury recovery. Or maybe you’re dealing with the time constraints and stress of a career and ‘life’.
As I find my way through our moment of chaos, I have picked up a few things that help nurture my creativity amidst the inevitable time and space constraints. By no means am I suggesting I got this ‘right’, but I wanted to share what I learned, just in case it helps you some day, some time, when you’re struggling to keep up your creative practice.
1. Set up your ‘creativity spot’
The practical objective here is to make it quick and easy to use the minimal art supplies needed to create. Symbolically, claiming a creativity spot is powerful, no matter how small, as it reinforces to our brain and our loved ones that making art is (still) important and part of our life.
When in a longer-term environment, I have all my supplies available and organised, with a spot cleared ready to start creating with minimal effort. Each time we move (including the week before last), I look for a new creativity spot. Right now, in my temporary accommodation, I have claimed a small part of a table where I work, journal and pencils on hand and ready. It could be as simple as an A5 journal tucked into your jacket for when you’re out and about, though, or a transparent box placed at the end of your kitchen table to hold your art supplies. You get to define what your creative spot looks like, in your environment.
PS This tip also echoes what I wrote about last year, to prepare to be creative.
2. Embrace micro-creativity moments
As I’ve shared before, tiny actions and 5-10 minute moments are powerful. It may feel insignificant (and I have argued otherwise) but not only do these small bursts of creativity add up, they are what make it an active practice. These micro-creativity moments are yours, where you get to jot down ideas, sketch for a few minutes, collage - anything that feels good and wondrous for you.
As an example, I’ve enjoyed sketching when I am an audience member of presentations and panels.
Amy McQuire in conversation with Chelsea Watego to launch Amy’s book, “Black Witness”.
3. Embrace imperfection
Lower the stakes and give yourself permission to make and create in ways you feel magnetised to, with the materials you have available. Given these creative moments are so precious, it is even more important to have the freedom to go (seemingly) nowhere.
As an example, while I miss my paints and have paintings I want to be working on for upcoming shows, my temporary situation means that pencils are the materials I have to work with. This constraint has been a blessing because I love sketching, and I’ve been able to explore how sketching allows me to digest stories and information differently. To illustrate, during NAIDOC week I listened to the story of Pat O’Shane and created a sketch to celebrate her and her community.
What you create doesn’t have to be perfect; it needs only to invite spontaneity and expression. Imperfection also applies to other things in life too, like the washing, cleaning or whatever task tries to delay a creative moment.
4. Gather inspiration
To be creative is to look for creativity in the world around us. Notice the sky blue at midday compared to the beachy pink at sunset; see the patterns of the architecture, nature or whatever your physical surroundings are; observe the interactions taking place around you. Have you noticed how incredibly beautiful the mundane can be? And then, have you noticed how you feel when you observe that beauty?
You may want to journal/sketch what you notice, or collect tokens like a leaf, stick, etc to keep the inspiration top of mind. Gather your ideas as they come up during the day to - use a voice recorder if need be, or a small notebook or notes app. This approach welcomes creative thoughts, even if you aren’t able to act on them (yet!).
Alongside that, when your activities permit multitasking - if this is your kind of thing - try listening to podcasts, audiobooks, or music that inspire and keep you connected to creative ideas, even when you're busy.
5. Give yourself freedom by being flexible and adaptable
While constraining circumstances may be out of your control, you can choose to be flexible and adapt. It can be fun and even inspiring to adapt creative practices to new environments and circumstances. You get to decide how you do this.
As an example, during a regular virtual catchup with a dear friend in the USA, we paint and share what we created, just for fun. I also like to convert my daily walks into exploration when in a new place, to find inspiration in my new surroundings. I have already given examples above about staying flexible with materials, scheduling and outcomes. I am also playing with ways to stay connected with creative communities I’m part of, particularly now that I’m in the downunder time zone that doesn’t always cross over well.
Being adaptable and flexible means lots of experimenting and releasing the speed at which you travel, to instead embrace a direction that matters to you and your practice.
Journal/action prompts
How has recent instability or disruption in your life affected your creativity? What have you learned about yourself from this?
Describe your ideal ‘creativity spot’. What is it about this place that feels conducive to your creativity? What can you adapt in your current environment to better support your creative practice?
List five small (eg 5-10 minute) creative activities. Can you see space in your day today to play with one of these activities?
I hope these tips and journal prompts support you to leverage disruptions and constraints as opportunities for growth and new ways to be creative. Some seasons in life can be rough, but creativity and art are important for wellbeing, finding meaning and being human. Art is not a luxury.
What have you tried during times of disruption and constraints, to cultivate your creative practice? I would love to know - please comment below. Likewise, please comment below or contact me directly if you have any questions.
Footnotes
¹ When I talk about making art as an example of creativity, please feel free to insert your own form of creativity, if making art isn’t it.
I am committed to honouring the wellbeing and creative power of every person, as the ultimate form of justice and health-for-all. If I can help you or your team with this journey please reach out by contacting me here. Learn more about my coaching services here and workshops here.
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