I scheduled the time for me to write this. I planned it in advance. In my whirling brain, I committed myself to sitting down and writing about…
…
…
…
Something.
Creativity doesn’t always come easily to me. There are times when I sit and stare at an empty screen, waiting for an answer that never comes. Or one that comes but doesn’t satisfy.
But then there are those rare moments when that sneaky bolt hits you and charges you with enough energy to write 5 blog posts in quick succession. Or 10 pages of a play. Or that manifesto you’ve been waiting for.
It never seems to be conveniently timed or on command. Rarely when you need it. Sometimes only under the greatest of pressures. Creativity is the thing we wish for with a smile but curse when it doesn’t arrive as expected.
So, here I sit, my feet propped up on a cozy couch with a cup of mint tea at my side. My husband is writing code next to me, working on building a website. He’s good at putting his creativity to use. Meanwhile, I’m struggling.
I went to Google, because, well, where else do you go when you want answers? I searched “why is creativity so difficult?”. What I found was pretty darn interesting – and rooted in science.
- The entire creative process– from preparation to incubation to illumination to verification– consists of many interacting cognitive processes (both conscious and unconscious) and emotions.
- Creativity can become a habit.
- Your subconscious is doing a buttload of work behind the scenes to help you generate your eureka moment.
- Having more bad ideas can lead to more good ones, too.
- Improvisation can have a positive effect on your ability to be creative and generate new ideas.
All this, and more, from a squishy thing in our noggins.
I started this post feeling frustrated at my lack of inspiration – but now, I’m feeling pretty good. This block is a positive thing. I’m stretching my brain and letting it do its thing. And hey, I’ve got another post out of the experience!
I’ll enjoy the down time while I’m at it.
You know – spending a nice afternoon with a cup of tea and brain science.
If an idea comes, it comes.
I’ll wait and relax.
After all, it’s good for me.