Like other cycles of change and transformation, our creative life is shifting, morphing, and ever moving. It can mimic the movement of water in our earthly oceans and rivers. If we allow the rivers of creativity to flow through us we are filled with positive energy. In Chapter 10. Clarissa Pinkola Estés presents us with stories that reveal what can happen when our creative flow becomes toxic and polluted.
Pollutions and Poisons
When our creative waters are “dirty” they have generally been muddied up with limiting beliefs and fears. Our insecurities, self-consciousness, and not feeling good enough or talented enough can get poisoned by fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, and fear of vulnerability. It becomes even more toxic as we mix in excuses like – not having enough time or questioning who would even engage with our creativity. It can become a mess.
Cleaning the River
The pathway to living our clearest creative lives is to “clean up” our creative flow. It is an active process of clearing out the people and energies who are not supportive. This involves boundaries to only allow strong partnerships and connections and to learn to accept and take in compliments, rather than downplaying and arguing them away into cloudy chum. As CPE advises in “Taking Back the River” we need to practice and that starts with responding to the call for a course correction.
Be Wild: that is how to clear the river.
Begin: this is how to clear the polluted river. Take the leap. The fear will pass.
Protect your time: this is how to banish pollutants. Use boundaries.
Stay with it: put in the time to move toward mastery.
“Taking Back the River” (para. 6-9)
Embrace Rejuvenation Periods
A creative outburst can be as exciting as a white water rapid ride that is filled with fast action turns and energy filling exhilaration. We need to honor the calm after the thrill. CPE points out that rest and rejuvenation is part of the formula of a creative life. It is not optional or we are throwing a different kind of toxin into our waters. This creativity cycle will look different for everyone, there is no one soup recipe for it. But marination in the pot is okay and important.
There is also a difference between “editing” and poisoning our creative expressions by overdosing on the toxins of perfection. Honor that, at times, rest is better than pushing through. The creative juices will run clear when they have time to filter and replenish. Honor jumbled brainstorming and consider it magic glitter rather than dirt.
Just Do It
Claim your creative spirit.
Call yourself your craft. I am a _______________.
Shine a light on what you dream to become.
Own it. No qualifications are required.
Be a MAKER. It is up to each individual to decide our own wild creative spirit.
The Power of Story 