by Amanda Davis

“It was only when my time and energy to create
were severely limited that I realised
how central they were to me as a person.”

~ Lucy H. Pearce, author of Creatrix: She Who Makes

Hello Storystormers!

I’m so excited to be back on Tara’s blog and grateful to share my latest ponderings on the creative process. This post isn’t so much to inspire us during the creative process but to get us thinking about how we approach it. What do we do BEFORE we begin? How can we clear the brain clutter? The noise and the distractions that sit heavy in our brains as we sit down to create.

If you’re anything like me, I usually sit down to write or draw with my mind being pulled in various directions. With a limited amount of time to accomplish an unlimited amount of tasks and to do’s. My brain is filled with clutter, and I often have a hard time prioritizing and getting started. I default to my inbox and emails because it’s easy and convenient. Forgetting how central it is for me to authentically harness my creativity and flow.  With this limited mindset, how is there space to create? How can there be room for inspiration to enter? To take root?

I found this to be especially true while working on my latest picture book, SOMETIMES STORMY: A STORY ABOUT FINDING CALM AND STAYING SAFE WHEN SOMEONE YOU LOVE DRINKS TOO MUCH, which is my author-illustrator debut, releasing with Free Spirit Publishing/ Teacher Created Materials this fall.

*sneak peek of near-final cover used with permission from Free Spirit Publishers

The story was inspired by my childhood experiences living with a father who struggled with alcohol use disorder and recognizing a lack of contemporary, age-appropriate books to turn to on the topic. SOMETIMES STORMY provides an empathetic exploration of this ‘storm’ and highlights ways for children to cope with the challenges of a situation that is often out of their control.

I’m currently working on the final art for this book and each time I sit down to create, my mind is filled with clutter. Some is book related clutter like, is the story and art good enough? How will readers respond? Will anyone buy the book? Where do I start on my final art? What would my dad think about me writing the story? (he passed away when I was twelve) And some unrelated clutter like, what’s for dinner tonight? Am I doing enough with my toddler? Did anyone walk the dogs? Did I make that doctor’s appointment for my aging mother? The list goes on. Life is busy. I take all this clutter with me each time I sit down to create-leaving little space for creativity itself.

What’s your process when you sit down to write? What’s your mindset? Are you feeling ready to create? Or do you have what feels like a million other To Do’s and tasks running through your brain…pulling you away from your creativity?

As we enter the new year, we often hear talk about clearing away the clutter from the year prior. Organizing. Starting fresh with clear goals and intentions in mind. What if we took this same approach every time we sat down to create? What if we took time to clear the clutter and make space for our stories to seep through?

According to the book, Mindfulness for Creativity by Danny Penman, mindfulness and meditation practices enhance three essential skills for creativity: divergent thinking, which opens our mind to new ideas, improved attention, which makes it easier to process the usefulness of those ideas and lastly, the fostering of growth and resilience in the face of failure and setback, which we creatives know a lot about! Research also shows that just ten to twelve minutes of mindfulness/meditation a day can help boost creativity. There’s hope!

For today’s post, I’d like to put this research to the test by trying a meditation on creativity to help us clear our mind before we start to write or illustrate.

First, get out some paper and pencil and make note of the following:

  1. What gets in your way of creating? How many of these things are in your control?
  2. What is your purpose and reason for creating?
  3. How are you feeling right in this moment?

 Now, find a comfortable seat.

Settle in.

Close your eyes.

Take a couple of deep breaths in and out.

Notice how you’re feeling right now, in this moment.

Scan your body starting at the crown of your head.

Imagine your mind space opening up.

Letting go of all the things that get in the way of creating.

Let them drift off.

High above you.

Out of view.

Relax and release as you scan down through the rest of your body.

Observe what is.

Release them all with the breath. Notice, accept, and release.

Keep your eyes closed, take another couple deep breaths in and out.

Repeat these phrases in your head:

  • BREATHING IN: When I create, I am connected to myself.
  • BREATHING OUT: I will surrender to the scene, to the words that come through me.

Take a deep inhale, filing your body with the peace of this moment and with your exhale, release your creativity into the world. Bring your hands to your heart.

  • REPEAT TO YOURSELF:  I AM READY TO BEGIN!

Gently open your eyes and notice.

How are you feeling now? Make note of this in your journal. Does your mind feel just a tad more clear? Is your body more calm? Are you ready to begin your creative journey? 

You might not feel much different after just one time of trying this and that’s okay. It takes practice. But next time you rush to your creative corner, I ask you to pause. Reflect. Are you really ready to begin? Could you take a few minutes, a few breaths to clear the clutter and make harnessing your authentic creativity central to your practice?

  • YOUR CHALLENGE: For the next week, each time you sit down to create, try the above meditation. Repeat the mantras. See if you notice any more space in your mind for inspiration, focus, and ideas. Can any of these ideas be a seed for a story?
  • BONUS--declutter your physical work space as well and you might notice an extra boost in creativity!

Good luck and Happy Meditating!

Source: Can 10 Minutes of Meditation Make You More Creative

Amanda Davis is a teacher, artist, writer, and innovator who uses her words and pictures to light up the world with kindness. Amanda is the author of the award-winning picture books, 30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag (illustrated by Sally Wern Comport), and Moonlight Memories (illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan).  SOMETIMES STORMY is her author-illustrator debut, and she has three more unannounced picture books on the way. Learn more about Amanda on her website and on Instagram, and BlueSky.

Amanda Davis is offering a 30-minute Career Consultation via Zoom.

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