Show Notes
Summary:
In this episode, we will talk about the idea of honoring your creative dreams and how this may not be a linear path. We’ll talk about the intention and the reality, limiting beliefs that are holding us back and how to bring creativity back into your life. It’s never too late to honor your dreams.
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Episode Transcription:
[00:00:00] Welcome I'm Kristi Backman. This is my podcast, Cultivating Creativity. It's about helping you build your creative life. Giving creatives a way to make space for artistic growth through the insights for the mind of an artist, instructor and art coach about the creative process and living that crazy creative life.
[00:00:27] In this episode, we will talk about the idea of honoring your creative dreams and how this may not be a linear path. We'll talk about the intention and the reality limiting beliefs that are holding us back and how to bring creativity back into your life. It's never too late to honor your dreams.
[00:00:47] Are you honoring your creative dreams? Or did you put your dreams on hold? Did someone encourage you to go a different direction? Did you take the safe path? You know that phrase, it takes a village. Sometimes it feels like the entire village is weighing in on the choices we make. And boy, can that make life challenging for creatives.
[00:01:11] Are you living their dreams? Tell me if either of these scenarios sound familiar. One, you wanted to do something creative and important people in your life that you love and respect, steered you in another direction. It may have been parents, a partner, a mentor, close friends, or someone else in your inner circle. It's important to understand that in most cases, this is done out of love. They love you, and they want the best for you and encouraging you to take the safer path is a way to protect you. They don't want you to be hurt, and if they can, they want to lead you away from risk and disappointment. In their minds, stability and security is the safer and better choice.
[00:01:52] Or two. You were encouraged to develop one of your other gifts and pushed in that direction instead. We all have multiple gifts and so many directions we could go, there's no right or wrong choice. There's also not a single choice. It can be wonderful to walk down one path for a while, learn from that experience and then take another. Most creatives I know have done of variety of things, and that just gives them more experiences to draw from. Each experience good or bad, enriches their life and enhances their creativity.
[00:02:26] If you feel right now that you are not honoring your creative dreams, you may have experienced one of these two scenarios. But depending on how far down that path you may be. It's not easy to just say, oh, I'm going to switch and go this other direction. And so there may be some steps to take to incorporate some of those dreams in a way that doesn't maybe upend your entire life.
[00:02:51] Another challenge is if we took that alternate path that didn't lead to our creativity, we often don't feel good enough to turn back into it. We feel like we gave up that option and this feeling of not feeling good enough is really an aspect of limiting beliefs. Even if you're ready to turn into adding more creativity into your life, these limiting beliefs can block you from making that a reality.
[00:03:22] One thing I do in my coaching program is work through limiting beliefs with my clients. We identify those beliefs and explore their roots and then analyze their effects. And question their validity and the truth behind them. And yes, I am using truth in air quotes. I find that the majority of those limiting beliefs come from other people and we tend to latch on to them and increase their power. Those negative beliefs play off our own insecurities and grow in ways that can inhibit our actions.
[00:03:55] There comes a point in your life that you have to look at what others tell you from a more objective distance. In other words, tell that village to back off! You have to start making the choices that are right for you. Your loved ones may be concerned for you, but you need to understand that this is your life, not theirs.
[00:04:14] In most cases, the people who really love you will come around once they see how happy these choices make you and will become supportive. If that doesn't happen, maybe it's time to rethink that relationship or consider what type of boundaries you can establish in that relationship to better support you. This can be really challenging. And I recommend working with a counselor for support and navigating changes in these types of relationships.
[00:04:42] So, let me ask you this. Are you living your dreams? Are you living in the life that you want? That is such a loaded question. And while we could all imagine some excesses we wouldn't say no to, I'm talking about creative space for art in your life. Do you allow yourself a creative outlet? Do you have a creative practice that feeds your soul and honors your artistic dreams? If the answer is no. Then the question is, how can you add this to your life now? What you don't want to ask is why. This leads us down the rabbit hole of excuses and explaining your whole life history. That doesn't matter. We just need to start from now. Life happens and it can get away from you. As you take stock, you may find you went in a much different direction than you intended to go. First of all, that happens to all of us. I have never met anyone whose life is 100% according to plan. They may exist, but in reality, I feel a bit sorry for them. I think about all you would have missed out on if that was the case.
[00:05:47] The experiences we have in life shape who we are. I've had experiences that I certainly would not have chosen, but looking back, I'm grateful for them. As they have shaped who I am.
[00:06:00] Getting derailed with our creativity is so easy. It often becomes the last thing on our to-do list. And what happens with those last things on the to-do list? You got it. They just don't get done. They don't get prioritized. Doing things like, cleaning your clothes so you have clean clothes to out into the world. Washing the dishes, making food, making sure that your house is clean enough to live in. All things like regular chores and or the things that you do with your family or with your work or all the million other commitments you may be juggling. It can be hard to find the time, the space, and the energy to really focus on your art. And it can be hard to navigate that with those in your life as well.
[00:06:49] But first you have to prioritize it. You have to decide that this is important for you. And then once you get onboard yourself, you'll be able to experiment with this and then share with those in your life. How this is important for you.
[00:07:08] It's completely normal to get to a point where we aren't honoring that creative gift that we have. And I'm not saying this to shame you. We all get busy. Life gets crazy. But we do have control over those little moments. Creating space for creativity doesn't mean blocking out 40 hours within the week. I mean, that'd be nice. But most of us have smaller bits of time that we can really utilize in a more impactful way.
[00:07:39] One trap that I often fall into is black or white thinking. The old all or nothing mentality. Either I'm an artist and nothing else, or an XYZ with no space for art. That is completely untrue! No matter what your situation is, you can add space for art in your life now. Then you can build in change gradually until you get to a place that feels more balanced and authentic to you.
[00:08:06] I was always determined to follow an artistic path. I knew from a very young age, what I wanted to do. And I was lucky to have parents who supported this. But the way this path has manifested for me is very different than I expected. And in fact, continues to evolve, which only makes sense as we continually grow as well. I've also learned that if things come up and I do not actively make space for art, that I feel off balance and just overall more negative. I know it's important for me to create. And to allow space for that in my life. Are you doing this?
[00:08:42] If this is resonating with you, then I would say that you're probably at a crossroads and could consider some growth. It's never too late to change directions and start anew. This doesn't have to be as dramatic as quitting your job, moving to another country or anything like that. There are so many ways you can modify your experience to honor the creativity you want to share with the world. Following your dreams doesn't mean that your dreams have to pay the bills. For most creatives, it simply means making art and finding ways to share it with others. There's nothing wrong with approaching it from this mindset.
[00:09:21] I am not saying that making money and selling your art isn't valid. But it's rarely the reason people make art to begin with. And my intention as an art coach is to encourage people along their artistic journey. To help them find their way back to honoring their authentic creativity.
[00:09:37] Don't forget, creativity is fun! Making art is fun! And don't, you need a little bit more of that in your life? So, I'm trying to talk you into the fact that if you're not doing this already make space for that, or if you've gotten to the place where it feels like a chore back up. Try a new medium do some experimentation. Make it fun if it's not fun. Then you might be doing it wrong. I don't know. Something to consider. Honoring your creative gifts and your creative dreams is as simple as taking a few minutes to maybe look at some other art, to think about your own, to sketch something, to play with color. To just consider a project that you want to do. Thinking about it, giving yourself space and time to consider something that feeds your soul. That's really what we're talking about. And giving yourself that opportunity. So, I want you to consider this and think about how you can start to integrate this into your life now.
[00:10:44] The creative journey is not easy, but it is interesting. Following your dreams is so rewarding. Doing what you were meant to do creates a contentment that can't be attained in any other way. I want you to experience this as well. If you need further support, I work on this with my clients in my coaching programs. Reach out and we can talk about this.
[00:11:05] I hope you found this helpful. There are so many ways to incorporate creativity into your life now. If this resonates with you, I strongly encourage you to check out my Creativity Planner. It's only $12 and will lead to true change. Find the link in my show notes. And if you enjoy this episode, follow me on Instagram subscribe to my podcast and leave a review. Until next time!
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