By Nielsen Greiner GUEST COLUMNIST
Years ago, I worked through “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. One of the primary practices of the book is the morning pages. Right after you wake up every morning you sit down and write three pages by hand. As stream-of-consciousness writing, it’s meant to be messy, imperfect, chaotic and whatever you want it to be. It’s a space where whatever’s inside is given the room to come out through pen on paper.
After I finished the book, the habit stuck. Almost every morning, I make a cup of coffee and sit down to write a few pages on a comfy chair in my room. Honestly, most of it is garbage, nonsense and no good at all. But that’s the point. In this practice, there’s no such thing as good or bad, or right or wrong. All that matters is that you show up. I always feel better after I do it, and never feel quite right if I don’t.
A 2023 poll by the American Psychiatric Association reveals a strong correlation between creativity and mental health. “About half (46%) of Americans use creative activities to relieve stress or anxiety… Americans who rate their mental health as very good or excellent tend to engage in creative activities more frequently than those who rate their mental health as fair or poor.”
Creative outlets foster self-expression and self-awareness. For instance, writing is a practice in which I not only express myself but also come to know myself. It’s much the same for all creative acts—music, painting, drawing, sculpting, making pottery, gardening, graphic design, photography and editing, making a short film on your iPhone, or anything else that draws on creative energy.
Note that in these creative acts, perfectionism is your enemy. Creativity is about the act, not the outcome. If no one else ever reads, sees, hears, or knows of your creative work, it’s still worthwhile simply for your own personal expression and fulfillment.
If you are new to the world of creativity, here are three things to help you get started.
Creativity tips
Make it a habit and create a routine. Basically, force yourself to sit your butt down, like I do with my morning pages. Then, find a time that works for you and put it in your calendar. It might sound silly, but it helps you maintain consistency. Next, share it with someone else. This is the hard part, potentially terrifying, but it counters the fear of failure and rejection.
Creativity requires time and commitment and, above all, love. While this is hopefully true for professionals it is also true for dabblers. The best advice I can give is this: First and foremost, do it for yourself, for its own sake, for the love of it. If you love the creative act you engage with, whether hidden or shared, it is worthwhile for its own sake. It always begins with personal love, and, if shared, is made public from this intimate foundation.
If you give yourself the space for creativity, it is not such a long leap to begin giving it to others. What you do for your own pleasure brings joy to others when you share it. They catch some of the sparks your creation emits. They are transformed by the passion with which you create. It is contagious.
No doubt, you will encounter resistance—as penned by Steven Pressfield in “The War of Art,” The more you create, the more resistance will try to stop you. How do you beat it? It’s simple. No matter what, you just do the work.
When you sit down and do the work no matter how mundane or tiring it feels, you beat resistance. You come away feeling more whole, free, fulfilled and settled. You’ll be surprised at how quiet the voice of the inner critic becomes.
Shoulder season in a resort town is hard for many of us, with the restlessness of being in between seasons and activities; we may twiddle our thumbs and wonder what to do with ourselves. Whatever it is for you, I encourage you to find and pursue at least one creative outlet this off season. Make it a habit, create a routine, and put it in your calendar, whether it’s once a day or once a week. And, if you dare, share your creation with at least one other person you trust.
If you take me up on the challenge, I bet you’ll be surprised at how much a creative act will settle your mind and be a helpful friend to your mental health. Why not give it a try and find out for yourself?
If you’re looking for a safe space for creative expression in the form of writing, there will be a creative writing group meeting at BASE Community Center on May 19 and June 16 at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome. You don’t have to be a writer to join. We’ll write in response to one or two writing prompts, with the opportunity to share what you write, but only if you want. I hope to see you there so we can put creativity into practice.
Nielsen Grenier is part of the Navigator Network of Be Well Big Sky, attending monthly meetings and helping with community events. Aside from getting outside, he currently spends much of his time writing and reading. As he’s currently in between jobs, this summer he’ll take a long road trip through Canada to Alaska.
