The Importance of Creative Spaces.
Look around you, are you in a space where your creativity can flow?
If not, it’s time to adjust our space, to allow for flow state.
For me, a messy space means a messy mind.
My attention and intention reflect the room around me. Scattered, and difficult to locate.
Everyone’s version of their creative space will look different, depending on their individual set and situation. I am lucky enough to have a large bedroom that had been converted from a craft room. Because the space is intended for creativity and passion, I am able to flow through it, and it through me.
Answer this question to yourself or out loud before and after adjusting the space:
How does your creative space serve your creative process?
HAVING A SPACE THAT IS DESIGNATED FOR YOUR CREATIVE FLOW WILL HELP IN THE MINIMIZATION OF DISTRACTIONS, ALLOWING YOU TO WORK MORE EFFICIENTLY.
AND NOT NECESSARILY EFFICIENCY IN TERMS OF QUANTITY. THAT SHOULD NEVER BE THE GOAL OF AN ENTIRE ART JOURNEY, ONLY A RESULT OF IT.
EFFICIENCY IN TERMS OF QUALITY.
HAVING MINIMAL SENSORY DISTRACTIONS WILL ALLOW FOR MORE CREATIVE CLARITY.
FOR ME, IT IS DIFFICULT TO BE FULLY EFFICIENT IN MY CREATION WHEN I AM WORKING IN A CLUTTERED LIVING SPACE.
I AM TOO DISTRACTED WITH MY THOUGHTS.
I FEEL, AS HUMANS, WE ARE EXTREMELY IMPRESSIONABLE AND REACTIVE. IT IS TOO EASY TO FEEL AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF INSPIRATION, GOOD AND BAD.
“YOU CAN’T USE UP CREATIVITY. THE MORE YOU USE, THE MORE YOU HAVE.”
MAYA ANGELOU
IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL YOUR INSPIRATION, SO THAT YOU MAY HARNESS IT.
THIS APPLIES TO OUR MEDIA CONSUMPTION AS WELL.
IN A MODERN TIME, IT IS FAR TOO EASY TO BECOME NEGATIVELY INSPIRED.
THIS CAN BE NECESSARY, SURE, BUT UNLESS CONTROLLED, WILL RESULT IN LITTLE SOUL DEATHS.
IN YOUR CREATIVE SPACE, THE INTENTION OF WHAT IS IN IT IS CRUCIAL.
“It can be helpful if the space contains one or more objects that spark creativity.” (CARLO UNIVERSITY)
WHETHER THAT BE A TREASURED ITEM, PERHAPS A PIECE OF ART, OR PHOTOGRAPHS. ANYTHING THAT GIVES YOU THAT CREATIVE SPARK.
BY HAVING A DESIGNATED SPACE TO CREATE, YOU ARE GIVING YOURSELF A PLACE TO ENTER INTO;
A PLACE WHERE YOU ARE FREE TO INDULGE IN PASSIONATE TRAINS OF THOUGHTS, CREATIVE WILD GEESE CHASES, AND A PLACE TO MAKE YOUR IMAGINATION TANGIBLE.
THIS MAY LOOK LIKE A MASSIVE WAREHOUSE FILLED WITH SUPPLIES AND LARGE CANVASES, PLACES TO DUMP PAINT AND MAKE CREATIVE EXPLOSIONS. A PLACE TO REALLY BE FREE WITH YOUR MESS.
BUT IT ALSO MIGHT LOOK LIKE A PAPER AND A PENCIL. MAYBE EVEN AN ERASER WORN TO METAL.
BOTH OF THESE ARE ENTIRELY VALID, AND SHOULD BE TREATED WITH THE SAME LEVEL OF EMOTION AND RESPECT.
SOMETHING I REALLY ENJOYED HEARING, I CANNOT RECALL FROM WHO OOPS,
WAS THAT YOU CANNOT CREATE NEW EMOTIONS.
YOU HAVE A SET SPECTRUM OF THEM, AND YOU FEEL THEM ALL IN DIFFERENT LEVELS. GENERATING NEW RESPONSES AND FEELINGS.
I LIKE TO REFLECT THAT INTO CREATIVITY.
IT, AND PASSION, EXIST, AND ARE POWERED, ENTIRELY BY AND IN OURSELVES.
YOU CAN HAVE ALL OF THE MONEY FOR ALL OF THE SUPPLIES AND ALL OF THE SPACES,
BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOL IS THE ONE THAT EXISTS INSIDE OF YOU.
THAT HAS HELPED ME A LOT WITH FEELING CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO INDULGE IN PASSION, NO MATTER THE SPACES I HAVE BEEN IN.
ANYHOW, BY HAVING YOUR DESIGNATED SPACE, YOU HAVE CREATED A PLACE WHERE YOUR CREATIVITY CAN LIVE AND GROW.
A DIRECT TANGIBLE SOURCE FOR YOU TO TEND TO.
SOMEWHERE WHERE YOUR THOUGHTS CAN TAKE ROOT, AND GROW INTO MIGHTY PROJECT PLANTS.
IT GIVES YOU A PLACE TO BLOSSOM.
IT ALSO GIVES YOU A PLACE THAT YOU CAN LEAVE.
SOME FOOD IS ONLY COOKED BEST WHEN LEFT TO SIMMER.
I EXPERIENCE THE MOST CREATIVE BLOCK, WHEN MY CREATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE INTERTWINED WITH EVERY BIT OF MY DAY’S ROUTINE.
CONSTANT REMINDERS THAT I MUST GENERATE IDEAS, AND BE ABLE TO MAKE THEM TANGIBLE.
WHICH IS A MIGHTY TASK SOMETIMES!
WE MUST GIVE OURSELVES ROOM TO BE SILENT. TO OBSERVE. TO WITNESS. TO BE INSPIRED BY SOMETHING OUTSIDE OF OURSELVES.
IT ALLOWS US TO BE EAGER TO RETURN TO THAT CREATIVE NEST WE HAVE MADE.
EAGER TO WATER OUR PLANTS WITH WHAT WE HAVE GATHERED FROM THE DAY.
WE CANNOT BE CREATORS ALL OF THE TIME.
WE MUST TAKE THE TIME FOR INSPIRATION FORAGING.
CHEERS IN YOUR CREATIVE FLOW!
-NADi
