Creativity Cookies: One Full Flavour

[Dan Goodwin]

One of the biggest causes of creative block is being overwhelmed by too much choice in what to create.

“Should I start a new story? Maybe I should work on my novel? That website I found on getting started with Altered Books was great, maybe I can begin one of those? Although I have those new paints I bought last year and are still sealed and unused? But then I promised myself I go out with my camera and take some black and white photos this weekend too!"

The list of possible creative projects we can start is virtually endless!

So this Creativity Cookie is called One Full Flavour and will help you choose one of those projects, get started and enjoy it to its fullest flavour, rather than feeling so confused and under pressure that you create nothing.

Head over to Creativity Portal for the full Cookie, try it out for yourself, then head back here to share your comments and experiences.

Click here to get the Creativity Cookie: One Full Flavour

[DJ]

Nice article, Dan!
Metaphorically speaking, I'm going with raisin oatmeal, right now. It's a different direction from my beloved chocolate chips, but I'm moving.
DJ

[Susan Hosken]

I need to concentrate on my knitting. I've nearly finished a jacket but have stalled.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

[Beth Robinson]

This Creativity Cookie really had an influence about me and I blogged about it a couple days ago. http://www.artbybethrobinson.com/journal/2008/4/30/my-creative-outp... It's also what ultimately had me clicking on more links and finding this network.

[Patrice]

What resonated with me from this article was the part about seeing choices as a positive move. Once I could not have imagined that. Now I agree.

This has been a big problem area for me, not just in creating art, but in life as well. Somehow the knowledge of just this one life caused me to freeze up at times - or even worse - to embark upon so many activities that I had no time for consideration. Life is so rich in possibilities and there are so many millions of things one might pursue. What choice? Which activity? How to decide? In the past I've tried to do it all; everything in a big way at the same time. I often felt like too little butter, thinly spread - and like dry toast - life was choking me.

I've learned that what doesn't necessarily work in life can be a boon in the studio. The trick here for me is that the studio/work spaces must be large enough and well organized to allow several projects to be accessible. This way even though there must be some limitations, my desire to accomplish much and my natural tendency to go all out are both appeased.

I recently came to the conclusion that since my life is about art and creating, my house should work for me. The former master bedroom will become my painting studio as it's the only large room with a cathedral ceiling. Besides, I only need a room with space enough for a bed to sleep.

[DJ]

Patrice, thanks for leading me back to Dan's article. I needed to re-read it at this time, and regain my focus for the New Year. Thanks for your words regarding making your studio/home work for you, also.
Nice inspiration from both you and my fave CCS ZooKeeper.
Love & Laughter,
DJ

[Dan Goodwin]

I think the key idea for me in this is:

You will never have all the time, energy and focus to create every possible project you want to do, and develop every single idea into its full potential.

It goes not only for creative projects, but for big areas of life like relationships and careers, down to simple choices like "what shall I have for dinner?" or "what record shall I play?"

If you're constantly flitting between half a dozen options, there's no way you can enjoy any one of them to the full. Pick one thing, for this hour, this day, this week, this month, and give it your all.

Then, later today, tomorrow, next week, next month, you can move on to something else, better informed about yourself, what you enjoy, and what really brings meaning and pleasure in your life...

[Dan Goodwin]

DJ, on a slightly different tangent, your comment "thanks for leading me back to Dan's article" switched on a big light bulb for me. There's SO much stuff on CCS (A mind boggling 77, 497 unique pages according to my Google Analytics!!) but people only see the latest "Hot Topics", especially newcomers.

One thing I'm going to do this year is some tutorials on how to get the most from CCS, including using tags, and using the CCS search engine to find stuff that's relevant to you.

Sometimes people aks me "where's that article on..." or "do you remember that discussion on..." and the first thing I say is "have you tried using the search feature?" and they reply "huh? What search feature?"...

Thanks for the prompt DJ, time to reuse some of this abundant content!

Dan

[DJ]

Dan, I just feel so blessed that "this abundant content" is here, and available for inspiration, motivation, and knowledge. You & CCS have been an answer to prayer for me.
Your essays cut right to the point, without the fluff, which I don't have time to wade through. I actually saved this one in my documents with your by-line, so I could return to it for gentle nudging when I need to redirect my journey.
Thanks for feeding all the animals in such a healthy manner here at the CCS Zoo!
Love & Laughter,
: =)

[Dan Goodwin]

You're welcome DJ, you've certainly added your own abundant contribution many times over.

By the way, type "zookeeper" in the search box in the top right corner of this page and click Enter.

Amazing how many times that term has been used here on CCS : )

Dan

[DJ]

LOL! Wow! Six pages of links containing the term "Zoo Keeper" !
Ah, well, I'm off to rattle some cages...maybe stir up some creative juices...
Keep 'em straight, Dan.
~ Deej

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

Great idea, Patrice ... use the space for what works best for you, and throw the rule book out the window! The master bedroom here is large, with lots of light from glass double doors ... if I got rid of all those clothes I've hung on to and never wear, I could very well move the bedroom furniture into the smaller bedroom ... and use that large space for art. I'm rapidly outgrowing my little corner of the living room. You've just given me a project for the New Year :) Thanks!

[Patrice]

It's ironic - though what I seek is complete freedom from being confined to a schedule, what works best in terms of accomplishment, is that I put myself on a schedule. I tend to have tremendous guilt about not working enough even when I am working 10, 12 and even more hours so the schedule (keeping track of how many hours spent doing what) actually frees me up from myself. It works as long as I make the rules! ha ha... If I become lax, I suffer; getting no exercise, no social time and no time to enjoy the land I work so hard to keep.

The best creative space I ever had was a 3,000 sq. ft. loft in Philadelphia. Small living area; huge creative space including power tools (I was a sculpture major in art school). I still long for a space like that forty years later though now it is unfeasible for me both economically and in terms of lifestyle. I need rural life, my horses, solitude in natural surroundings.

As it is the mental state I wish to re-create, I see no reason why I shouldn't make over my space to suit me. (I live alone except for the critters - cats, dogs, horses...) Most people don't have this luxury, balanced though it is by my being sole provider, so I count myself lucky, glass half full and all that...