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:

Seattle Post Intelligencer

Beanie's injury tests Buckeyes' depth, creativity
ESPN - 9 hours ago
... so let's see how he handles the spotlight I've gotten more than a few e-mails from Buckeyes fans criticizing a lack of creativity among the coaches, ...
Video: Terrelle Pryor Might Play in Ohio State Opener AssociatedPress
Don't expect to see Beanie on Saturday ESPN
all 1,938 news articles


State Of Education: Hatrick Stresses Creativity, Languages For ...
Leesburg Today, VA - 9 hours ago
By Alex Bahr While the test scores recently released by Loudoun County Public Schools are impressive, educators also should focus on fostering creativity in ...
Area SAT scores beat state, national averages Charlottesville Daily Progress
all 2 news articles


‘There is little creativity and too much business’–Valentino
Inquirer.net, Philippines - 14 hours ago
I became rather bored of continuing in a world which doesn’t say anything to me. There is little creativity and too much business.â€


Letter: Promote Joseph with creativity
Wallowa County Chieftain (subscription), OR - 1 hour ago
We are a first class town with creative people, why cheapen our image with an "in your face plastic sign"? There are many ways currently being used to ...


Las Vegas Sun

Students showcase creativity
Las Vegas Sun, NV - 3 hours ago
"It took all of our creativity to see what we could come up with," student Ricamae Lmibao said. Once notified that they had been selected, the students' ...


WiredPRNews.com (press release)

Clarity Versus Creativity - You Decide
WiredPRNews.com (press release), TX - 11 hours ago
Take the issue of creativity for example. When we talk with our clients, the term creative approach invariably comes up. What will the advertising look and ...


Creativematch

Creativity vs pragmatism – a marriage made in heaven or hell?
Creativematch, UK - 13 hours ago
In his articles, Barry will be exploring some of the interesting issues and trends that are facing the creative sector, giving food for thought and insight ...


Tri State Defender

‘Firehouse’ still fanning the flames of creativity
Tri State Defender, TN - 7 hours ago
My mother, as the owner of Nelson’s Kindergarten (one of the first in Orange Mound) and later a teacher at Hanley Elementary, was quite creative and made ...


• Highland dance promotes heritage, creativity
Guelph Mercury, Canada - 13 hours ago
Highland dance offers a child not only a great source of physical education, but it also promotes heritage and creativity.


moms finding jobs that combine creativity, flexibility
Statesville Record & Landmark,  USA - 15 hours ago
Creative Memories, a scrapbooking supply company, also helped Joy Stamey branch out of her home life, while still being able to be there for her 13-year-old ...

Creativity - Google News

home | site map
© 2006