Being Creative Isn’t Always Easy and That’s Okay
I have a secret to tell… I don’t always find it easy to be creative.
Sometimes people assume that because we call ourselves creatives we are constantly brimming with unique, new, out-of-the-box ideas. That we wake up every morning, pour a cup of coffee, say our daily prayers to Picasso and Van Gogh, and then paint a masterpiece. Okay, that may have been dramatic, but the truth is as much as I love The Starry Night, there are days that the stars are hard to find in a sea of emails, conference calls, and approaching deadlines.
That’s the line we walk as digital storytellers. Whether you’re a graphic designer, a social media manager, or a paid advertising strategist, you have to balance the bottom line with your obligation to the client and yourself to create impactful art.
We also have to wrestle with the idea that there is a measurable value to the art we create. When was the last time you were at an art museum and you heard the person next to you discussing ROI or the month-over-month growth of an artist’s work? I’d wager to say never. Yet every day as marketers we put our creative work into the world to be openly and publicly judged.
As a social media manager, I’ve especially struggled with this. If I create a campaign, graphic, or caption that I am proud of, but it doesn’t get many likes, comments, or shares does that mean I failed as a strategist? If I rely fully on strategy and double my client’s Instagram impressions, but their audience doesn’t know what we stand for, have I failed as a creative?
“Okay, Delaney this is getting a little emo…” Yes, okay, I hear you. I may be re-entering my Tumblr phase. But, here’s where we look to the bright side! How do we push away the monster in our heads telling us we aren’t good enough? That our ideas aren’t creative? That they won’t perform? Well, I sought out to find the answer. To start, I went to the most creative people I know, my *amazing* coworkers, and asked “How do you stay creative?”
Lily: “I’m always dancing and moving my body. I like finding open space outside to breathe and think (at the beach, in a flower field, by water, etc), and writing to process and inspire creative thought.”
Emily: “Walks, Walks, and More Walks. I’ll literally go on an hour and a half walk with the goal of paying attention. I also love collaborating with other creative people, reading poetry, and listening to music. And, okay this may sound silly, but like really good food. Whether I’m at a restaurant with friends or at a dinner party, I need to be in places where I feed off of the energy.”
Kayla: “When I’m in a creative rut I love to scroll and explore Pinterest. Sometimes looking at things that seem completely unrelated to what I’m working on gets me back into the creative mindset. Everything from floral arrangements to future home inspiration.”
After collecting my data (a little Type A moment for you *wink*), I set to work looking for the common thread. And, you know what? I think I found it.
Allow yourself to be where you are. Sometimes, allowing ourselves to explore creativity outside of the task at hand actually helps us come up with new ideas. So recognize where you are. Be okay with it. Find comfort in your lack of inspiration, because that is human. And then, follow your heart to the next spark of creative interest. Scroll Pinterest. Go on a walk. Write poems. Move your body. You’ll find your way back when the time is right.
I fully admit that this isn’t a blanket solution. This won’t be your antidote to writer’s block, avoidance, or imposter syndrome. But, it is a first step. A step that I for one, definitely need to take.