September/October 2008 Spirituality
Diving into the Creative Process

by Anne Paris

Sitting in my psychotherapy office, Mary squirmed in her chair as she confided, "I just don't know what is wrong with me. Why can't I just do it? I feel stressed all the time when I'm not writing. I should be writing, I say to myself, but I don't. I think, If I just get the laundry done, then I'll be free to sit down and write the next chapter. But then I don't."

Through thousands of hours of psychotherapy with artists, I have found that most are quite familiar with the experience of being artistically blocked, or of procrastinating and avoiding their creative work. "If only I weren't so distractable" or "I must not really want to succeed" are common complaints I've heard. These blocks can lead to non-productivity as well as to more serious problems such as depression and addictions.

Until now, most experts have offered behavioral strategies to help artists initiate and sustain their creative process, such as setting aside a time and place everyday for the creative endeavor, telling yourself you can do it, or exercising a great deal of self-discipline. Structure can certainly help artists to focus and to discipline their time. But many artists do not find the strength to overcome deeply embedded blocks with this advice. "If it were that easy, I'd do it," they say.

New research in neuroscience and contemporary psychological approaches show that these strategies are only part of the answer. Revolutionary understandings in clinical psychology now suggest that healthy interpersonal relationships are the fuel for optimal emotional, cognitive, intellectual, behavioral and creative functioning. Contrary to how we've been taught to value independence and autonomy, this new scientific evidence is showing that we are at our best when we are connected with others.

Applying these findings to the secret, internal world of the artist, the capacity to be creative is actually generated by the experience of connectedness with others. When we are feeling frightened or are lacking self-confidence and vitality, we need to look at the state of our relationships, rather than to blame ourselves for being weak and inadequate, or to think that we must somehow find strength and courage from deep within ourselves. We cannot create in a vacuum of isolation: we are helped along in the creative process by certain kinds of emotional support from others that help us to be at our best and to realize our full potentials.

When we shift our focus from searching within ourselves to reaching for healthy connections, we will be propelled through the creative process to complete a work of art. To immerse into creativity, we need to feel strong, inspired and comforted. Rather than existing as static "traits" in our selves, we can generate strength, inspiration and comfort in our relationships using mirrors, heroes and twins in the following ways:

Find strength in mirrors. An artist finds the strength to create through feeling special, recognized and appreciated by others. Share your ideas and your work with others who are likely to appreciate your talents and your efforts. Allow yourself to take in this kind of psychological nourishment. If you don't have this kind of support, imagine it.

Find inspiration in heroes. An artist finds motivation and inspiration to create through admiring, respecting and hoping to please a parent, teacher, mentor, or idol. Reach for connection with your real life hero or immerse in your idol's work, ideas or art.

Find comfort in twins. An artist finds comfort through the creative process by feeling understood by others who are in the same boat. Reach for connections with like-kind (for example, join a writer's group, take a painting class, or go to conferences, artist retreats or galleries). Share your hopes and dreads, and triumphs and defeats with these empathic others - they've been there - they understand.

Throughout a creative project, you are likely to grapple with core feelings of safety, trust and hope. When you become aware of how your relationships with others (or lack of relationships) impact your ongoing sense of self, you can then try to elicit more of what you need to carry you through the myriad of emotions involved in the creative process. It is not weak to need others. In fact, being able to create and sustain mutual relationships is the key to our continued growth as artists and as individuals.

In the end, it is not really how much will power or discipline we have that determines our capacity to enter into a creative state. Standing at water's edge, looking at the vast unknown and uncertainty involved in the creative process, it is our relationships with others that will empower or inhibit our dive.

Dr. Anne Paris, Ph.D, author of Standing at Water's Edge: Moving Past Fears, Blocks, and Pitfalls to Discover the Power of Creative Immersion, is a clinical psychologist who has helped artists along in their creative processes for more than 20 years. Visit www.anneparis.com. Printed with permission by New World Library, www.newworldlibrary.com.