Creative Overwhelm

(image) I've been wanting to share a topic here on the blog.  Other artists are beginning to open up about this as well.  Creative overwhelm for those of us who have made our work our life has a shaddow side.  Decor8 opens up about it a bit here.  And Lisa Congdon here.  And I'm sure there are many, many more people (you know who you are) who are working on the balance of creativity in their lives.  I can talk about it now because I'm getting to the otherside of what has been a hard time. (image) It's been a slippery slope this year.  Confusing and emotional.  Reaching a lightning 9 years at PAPAYA!, a new clothing line, opening our first flagship boutique, work travel, (dieting for f sake), more employees, a personal life, a love life, and motherhood all began to be too much to juggle.  With the many blessings of "having it all" has meant feeling weighed down too.  Unable to fully taste, feel and enjoy the bounty of all these years of effort.  What I'm beginning to realize is that the pervasive undercurrent of simply being an artist outweighs it all.  Nothing is more important than that.  When and if your life becomes too busy to express yourself as an artist...make a change.
(image) Since this spring I have literally been in the midst of clearing my life and making space for the next decade of creative work and trying to map that out for myself in a thoughtful way. (and I'm delighted!)  I realize now that not having enough pure creative time, (unhindered) can create anxiety, stress and even illness when artists do not pay attention to the building of energy.  This stuff is real.  It's a soul crisis!  It's good to reach out to creative friends, peer artists and those who are following the muse.  We have to stick together to make sense of these times and help each other through.  Trust me.  Make time.  Save yourself.  It means everything. xoxoxo...

Comments

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=644713827]

I am in the middle of what you call the «Soul Crisis», it's been a few weeks now.
My head is spinning with creative stuff I want to try and experiment and create. But once I'm there, nothing happens for X or Y reason.
It is SO true that if we are not aligned with our needs, our health usually go downfall...

Take care with your back.
Nolwenn

[Catherine Witherell]

Nice post! I know exactly what you are talking about. Thank you.

[Patti Friday]

These recent thoughtful posts from fellow Artists has caught me off guard; relieved and able to unravel my unexplained mood. I appreciate your openness so much. You are and always will be an art rock star for generations to come.

[kecia]

i find the busier i get with more teaching, the less time i have for creating and i don't like it! it's tough when teaching is really the only income i can earn (due to other situations), so i'm always at a quandary with this. at some point, I realize some choices will have to be made, maybe less committments and less income (which is already quite "less", lol). it's interesting to find out that other artists are experiencing it as well. more changes ahead!

[Kim]

I agree with you all but my question is why Aren't there big girl sizes in your clothing line?? We do support you and would love to wear your clothes, just asking....

[Indigosoul]

so refreshing. love your honesty!

[Sheila]

Hi, thanks for the great post! I too was wondering why no big girl sizes. It's really hard to get cool clothes.

Anyway, congrats!

Sheila

[anahata]

Hello Kim and Sheila,
We are working on plus sizes as we speek for Leelah clothing. Our designer is in-house and now is making custom fit designs for our plus size customers. We wanted the fit and flow to be correct as we know how important well cut pieces are. So...hang on ladies. It is in the works and on the way. And of course I will keep you posted.

[Samie Kira]

So many of my artist friends are going through this as well. One has decided to cut back so she can focus more on creating art, while another is exploring new outlets. I've actually changed my focus so that others can focus on creating more art instead of learning how to do video editing (it's one of my passions and college major!).

I'm so glad to hear you'll be carving out more time for yourself and your art. Ever since I set aside an hour a day for journal play, I've been much more refreshed and full of creative joy.

[Alicia]

It's so true about the way exercising creativity is necessary to the health and well being of a creative person. I just always have a hard time putting creative time above all else as I'm not a bonafide recognized artist. I know that the need for me is just the same, but I guess I have a hard time making it a priority since it's not how I make my living (though I'd love to!). Thanks for sharing this part of your journey.