Creativity Information

Self-Care for Creative Artists: 5 Ways to Start Today


Self-care is the path to creative expression. By paying closer attention to your self-care, you can have easier access to your creativity, to your muse and to your inner strength and resilience. You'll also have more energy, more tolerance for others and yourself and more confidence in your work.

Start. Have you been procrastinating about something? Do you need to update your resume so you're ready for that next audition or show? Edit the last chapter of your book? Call that gallery owner? Learn that new piece? Well, just start. Set your timer for 15 minutes and remind yourself that as soon as it goes off you can stop.

Stop. Today, just for five minutes, STOP. Stop and listen to what your inner muse might be trying to tell you (if it could just get your attention). This process will be easier and more effective if you consciously relax your mind and body first - a few deep breaths might be enough, or a few minutes listening to your favourite relaxing piece of music. If you have the time, try a progressive relaxation exercise where you imagine a ball of light traveling through your body and relaxing each muscle as it passes.

Turn around. Turn around your negative perceptions. When you start beating yourself up for procrastinating, remind yourself that you worked for 15 minutes on that project today! If your inner critic is telling you something else, try this method from my "Performance Readiness" worksheet. Write down everything your inner critic is saying to you. Now, imagine it's saying those things to a small child. Then, for every statement, write down what you would say to comfort and encourage that child and show them another way of looking at things.

Play. Speaking of children, just for today, approach your art as child's play. Paint with your non-dominant hand, play a new instrument or write a song or story using only words that start with the letter "d". What are some other playful things you could try?

Rest. Do whatever it takes to get a good night's sleep. And, just for today, rest when you feel tired. Not getting enough rest and sleep is one of the most direct ways we sabotage ourselves and our health. When's the last time you bounced out of bed in the morning, eager to start the day and feeling completely rested? For tips on getting a good night's sleep, see my Genuine Self-Care article at www.genuinecoaching.com/news/selfcare-aug2003.pdf.

Copyright 2005, Genuine Coaching Services. All rights reserved.

Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, helps artists enhance their creativity by addressing their unique self-care issues. To receive her free monthly newsletter, "Everyday Artist", subscribe at http://www.genuinecoaching.com/artist-newsletter.html


MORE RESOURCES:

Canada.com

Ian Rush: Liverpool Lack Creativity
Goal.com, Switzerland - 9 hours ago
When he points out that Rafa Benitez's current Liverpool side lack creativity, people should probably listen to him. Speaking today after last night's draw ...
Rafa ready to use youngster SkySports
Wasteful Liverpool Frustrated By West Ham Goal.com
all 671 news articles


A trip to Bob's Red Mill take the grind out of creativity
The Oregonian - OregonLive.com, OR - 4 hours ago
by Matthew Card, special to The Oregonian Beth Nakamura, The OregonianSavory Rosemary and Cheddar Multi-grain Crackers, made with a 10-grain blend from ...


School magazines - Creativity? Schools have got it covered
Scotsman, United Kingdom - 3 hours ago
... and interpretation of news events through the eyes of the next generation, school pupils are rivalling the professionals for ideas and creativity. ...


GaGa’s creativity slim
Argonaut, ID - 3 hours ago
Artists without clear talent produce albums inevitably within the machine of corporate pop music. Lady GaGa is a strange exception to this statement. ...


Connect with creativity in community arts classes
Arizona State University, Tempe - 4 hours ago
TEMPE, Ariz. – Awaken your inner artist and enroll in ASU Herberger College Community School of the Arts spring 2009 classes. Instruction in art, dance, ...


CNET News

Morocco fights terrorism with one ID card, "promotes" creativity ...
CNET News, CA - Dec 1, 2008
As to the artist card; it affords them a "more structured environment" in which to work and ensures "conditions necessary to promote creativity," according ...


"Creativity in the Classroom" panel discussion held tomorrow
The Daily Advertiser, LA - 5 hours ago
The Acadiana Arts Council will host an education panel discussion, “Creativity in the Classroom,” at 4:30 pm Wednesday at 101 W. Vermillion Street. ...


Creativity and our life
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - Dec 1, 2008
CREATIVITY, as held by many, can take two forms. One is invention, which has quite often been described as “one creating totally new things”. ...


Call For Entries: Mydeco ‘Pure Creativity Competition’
TAXI Design Network, NY - 16 hours ago
The idea for Pure Creativity was born when the design team at Mydeco was chatting with Philippe Starck at his Paris office. Hugely excited about the new ...


Will new home stifle Joe Biden's creativity?
Pensacola News Journal, FL - 21 hours ago
But his creativity may be tempered at his new address on Observatory Circle. The 115-year-old white-painted brick Victorian that is the vice president's ...

Creativity - Google News

home | site map
© 2006