The Mirror - Creating with Emotions
I recently enjoyed listening to a special guest on the Mel Robbins podcast that discussed the idea that creativity and anxiety cannot exist in the same space. When someone feels anxious, they cannot create, and vice versa. When someone is creating, they cannot feel anxiety. It's a fascinating concept to think about, and of course, I had to write about it in my blog! I have had this need to create all my life, and it has served as an outlet for me in many ways. In fact, in May of 2023, I added the goal to "create" every day as a daily habit, and for almost two years, I have created every day. You can probably guess the most common form of creativity I have implemented over the past two years. I have written and worked on my book daily for almost two years!
Mel's special guest on her epic podcast was Oprah's Life Coach, Martha Beck. I was blown away when Martha shared her perception of the creativity and anxiety dichotomy. This hit me so deeply because I have often found a release from anxious emotions through creating. Let's be clear that creativity does not simply mean coloring, drawing, or gluing two paper things together. Creativity is when you partner with your imagination to create something never made before. An example of creativity that some may not think of immediately is cooking, rearranging furniture, journaling, or even cleaning your house. These behaviors are examples of channeling energy into something new and creating.
I first noticed that creativity was a way for me to control my emotions. When I would feel my life spiraling out of control as a young teen, I would find myself rearranging my bedroom in an attempt to control it. Controlling my environment would help me feel a sense of control over things outside my direct control. To this day, I still rearrange or clean when I feel out of control. I would like to further elaborate on creativity. When I was in college, I would have lengthy term papers to write and I would procrastinate beginning the paper as close to the deadline as possible. When I would sit down to write the papers, I started sipping on whisky, and that is when my lifelong love for whisky started. I noticed that the alcohol would remove any writing blocks, and I could let my ideas flow naturally. I even noticed when I would create artwork through drawings, I would have whisky, and I found my drawings were much better - Now, I am not advocating for drunk creative moments; instead, I would invite you to consider… the idea that alcohol released unnecessary thoughts during the creative process.
The reason why I want to delineate the importance of not relying on alcohol to be creative is because that also is a way that we choose to numb our anxiety. However, I would like to focus on the fact that once we reduce the chatter going on in our minds, we can create a flow of creativity. It is very important to understand that to be creative. You should be in a space where you can be yourself and be vulnerable because not every single thing you create will be a masterwork of art; however, everything you make will direct you to become less anxious. No, I have not read the book by Martha back as far as how anxiety and emotions control one another. Still, her statement within itself made me realize that there is definitely more to using creativity as an outlet to control and subside anxiety.
Creativity is more than just an outlet—it's a powerful tool that allows us to transform anxiety into something meaningful. Martha Beck's insight about creativity and anxiety being in opposition resonates deeply because it reinforces what I've intuitively felt my whole life. Whether through writing, rearranging a space, or cooking a meal, engaging in creativity provides a sense of control and a path to emotional release.
The key takeaway here is that creativity is not about perfection; it's about presence. It's about quieting the noise in our minds long enough to let inspiration flow. While external tools like alcohol might temporarily remove creative blocks, true creativity flourishes when we are fully present and open to the process. No matter how small, every act of creation is a step toward reducing anxiety and reclaiming a sense of calm.
So, if you ever feel overwhelmed, consider shifting your energy into something creative. The more we create, the more we cultivate peace within ourselves—one idea, one project, one moment at a time.
And guess what? I started Martha's book! :)
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The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health professionals with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice based on information you have read here.
