ManicDDaily

Space

My newly discovered focus on stress and creativity has energized the part of me that loves to give advice.  The one caveat I would make to those reading my advice:  “do as I say, not as I do.”  It is infinitely easier to dish out good counsel than to follow it.

Life is stressful, particularly in the modern world where many play multiple roles; there are the stresses of all that must be done to maintain a job, home, family;  then, there is the added stress of distraction, so many possibilities for avoidance.  Right at the tips of our fingers are the means to while away huge amounts of time—email, Facebook, worldwide news services, horoscopes, blogs, video clips, even favorite TV shows.

In my experience, creative people find it extremely easy to justify giving in to distraction.  We characterize it as “inspiration,” “research.”   We persuade ourselves that it is necessary “keeping up,”  important “networking.”

Some of these justifications may be valid, up to a point.  But the problem is that creativity needs space, a bare spot in the brain to flop around in.  Sure, a brainstorm can arise during a tumult of activity and distraction, but accomplishment (that is, finishing something) generally needs a bit of concentration; time; solitude.

Even if we can restrain our fingertips, nipping computer distraction at the knuckle, there is also the problem of … people; the real live human beings in our lives.  Creativity thrives on people; it wants to speak to people, to impress people, entertain them, awaken them.  Even the most narcissistic artist usually has some genuine sensitivity and empathy.

Still, usually you can’t actually make something (other than perhaps a baby), if you do not cultivate a certain reserve.   By reserve, I do not mean coldness or apathy.  I mean, once again, time, space, quiet, focus.   Given such needs, you may sometimes have to distance yourself from people, to make a choice not to be involved in every family or community drama; to try not to “fix” people (other than your characters).

I should step back here: creativity comes in many different forms.   Some people find their creative expression in mediation or entertainment, in, for example, preparing the perfect family reunion or dinner party.  I had an aunt like this who expressed herself through her elaborate celebrations; I have a cousin who manages to send cards to a wide variety of people not only for their birthdays, but for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, etc.

But if you want to focus on something more egotistical– poetry, writing, painting—and you are not making a living from this work—then you simply have to make choices.  Arranging other people’s lives, or even the perfect dinner party, may not always be possible.  Accept that.   (And you may just find that the other people in your life benefit from this choice as much as you do yourself.)