Kimberly - Uplift and Mend - Burnout Series Part 3

Finding joy and beauty in the creative process

Do you feel joy when you create?

Do you recognize the beauty in your creations?

On the other hand, might you feel like your passion has turned into just another job or obligation?

As we discussed in the 1st edition of this Burnout series, burnout as a creator (or trauma survivor) can manifest as:

☁️ Emotional depletion

☁️ Overwhelm

☁️ Self-criticism/comparison

☁️ Perfectionistic tendencies

☁️ Isolation

64% of creators cite lack of quality and creativity for their burnout, in addition to internal and external pressures (performance anxiety, chasing views and likes, maintaining relevancy, etc.)

Further, burnout can leave many creators feeling like their passion has turned into an unfulfilling job, chore, or pressing obligation.

However, reconnecting with the joy and beauty in creativity can serve as a powerful antidote to burnout.

I've had moments in my creative (and mental health healing) journey where it felt like a burden to make the effort to be active in my creativity or healing "homework". Sometimes it felt like I couldn't shake it off and I would berate myself for feeling like I was failing myself or giving up because I was unable to be productive.

In times like these, I remind myself of how far I have progressed and how joyful, at ease, clear, and relieved I feel when I am in a state of flow. Some of my best creative sessions occur when I am not trying to vie for a specific outcome or create the most perfect result.

Joy in creating (emotional health)

Reconnecting with and rediscovering joy in the process of creating can be thought of as a form of emotional nourishment. Nurturing your emotional wellbeing helps sustain long term creative momentum.

When you feel joy in the process, time seems to fly and creativity flows effortlessly. This connects you with your intrinsic motivation for creating - doing something for the love of it, not for external rewards or validation. Recognizing and capturing small moments of joy can act as a creative "recharge", further inviting more energy and inspiration into your work.

Feeling joy in creativity offers us a sense of accomplishment, meaning, purpose and boosts our self-esteem and happiness. It also helps us discover new talents and passions, further multiplying our joy as we continue creating. At the basic level, joy releases dopamine in our brains, helping support our mental health.

Beauty in creating (purpose and meaning)

The creative process contains an intrinsic beauty in itself because it is an expression of your inner world and your perception. The process of manifesting an idea into reality, tangibly, is beautiful in its vulnerability and authenticity.

The philosopher-author Ananda Coomaraswamy said an object's ability to fulfill its purpose is where beauty lies in creativity. Taking this one step further, it solves a problem. Author Shai Goller recommends thinking of beauty and creativity in terms of achievable goals, not in terms of aesthetics and subjections. Many goals of creators are for the benefit of their business endeavors as creators. This includes problem solving and goal orientation.

However, the definition of beauty we are talking about here is that of the presence of inner fulfillment, wonder, and the connection with a deeper purpose (beyond just producing content). Embracing beauty in creation engages appreciation and fulfillment. It offers an opportunity to practice self-compassion by recognizing the beauty in oneself. According to Fyodor Dostoevsky, beauty can allow us to face fears and find joy and meaning, even when feeling lost.

What might happen if you lose sight of the joy and beauty in creating?

Burnout

Creating out of obligation or pressure can invite burnout to come quickly. This leads to stagnation, overwhelm, and loss of expression.

Creative fatigue

Successful projects can feel empty when joy is not present. Pushing through to create can lead to creative blocks and stalled progress. Ideas stop flowing easily.

Loss of authenticity

When creators attempt to seek external approval or validation, they risk losing their authentic voice because they are not creating from a sense of joy and inner fulfillment.

How to find joy and beauty in creativity

Create for an audience of 1 - You

Create for the sake of creating, without any intention of posting or sharing your work publicly. Make something just for your own self-connection.

Experiment

Try something new. A new medium, technique, or topic you've never encountered or attempted before. Approach this newness with a sense of play. No pressure here. Just fun.

Time limit

Challenge yourself to a daily "creative sprint", doing something creative with no specific outcome or expectation. Just pure enjoyment and satisfaction.

Reconnect to your "why"

Reflect on why you started creating in the first place. Remind yourself of your passion and interests and why they bring you joy, especially whey they are exciting to share with others.

Re-cap

Reconnecting with the joy and beauty in creativity can serve as a powerful antidote to burnout.

It is also beneficial for supporting mental and emotional health, as well as highlighting your purpose, meaning, and "why" for creating.

When joy and beauty fade, creative momentum can slow and stagnation set in.

Creating for yourself, experimentation, challenging time limits, and remembering your "why" are all avenues to rediscovering your joy and beauty in creativity.

What do you think? Let me know!

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Thanks for reading!