The Shadow Side of Creativity

Creativity is a superpower... But like any superpower, it has a shadow side. Let's shed some light on the shadow of creativity so that your power works for you rather than against you.

Creativity is a superpower... But like any superpower, you need to learn how to manage it. I won't tell you to control it because creativity is an urge; you can't push it back. Yet, many things can derail you from your initial creative spark to its completion.

You may think self-censorship would be the biggest threat to your creativity; for some, it is. However, the profusion of ideas is the biggest challenge for many creatives. Why? As I mentioned, creativity comes like an urge, and it is hard not to drop what you are doing to dive into this new idea. As a result, you may find yourself with one or more drawers filled with unfinished creations, leading to a sense of inability to see things through to completion. That is why you want to learn how to manage it or channel it.

Creativity is an energy.

It flows through you like electricity and activates parts of your imagination and intuition, your capacity to see and to transform. Electricity left unchannelled is like lightning in the sky; it goes to the most straightforward magnetic point it can reach the ground. But electricity channelled can power up a tool, warm up a house, light up your room or power your computer. Therefore, your creative energy, channelled or given a point to focus on, will help you to see more ideas and projects coming to fruition.

One of the first steps is to observe when your creativity shows up. That observation was crucial for me to avoid confusing creativity with avoidance or procrastination. By remembering situations and observing them, I started noticing different types of ideas: the ones supporting an ongoing project, the ones bringing a quick feel-good or winning experience and the ones derailing me from it.

Does it feel familiar?

If so, ask yourself why some ideas are derailing you.

For my part, I found that new ideas came very often when I thought I was not qualified or good enough, when things felt difficult, or when I didn't know what to do next. In these moments, creativity is a coping mechanism, not a superpower.

Damned, that was uncomfortable to acknowledge! What was even more painful was that it made me realise that sometimes, my creativity could be in the hands of my self-saboteur rather than a superpower—that sting. And if you felt stung, I welcome you to the club of unearthing your Shadow Side of Creativity so that you can connect with its superpower.

The good thing about becoming conscious of the Shadow Side of Creativity is that you can start changing patterns.

When you see yourself coming up with an idea, you can quickly check whether that idea—no matter how good or exciting it is—supports or derails you today. This will help you see when it is self-sabotage, a need for reassurance, distraction, boredom, or uplifting inspiration supporting your journey.

Since I've shed some light on the Shadow Side of Creativity for myself, I still have a gazillion ideas per month, but now most of them support my shop or lifestyle. It is also much easier to have a "bright ideas" notebook, be okay with having an inspiration today, and finish what I already have on my plate first. Maybe it will help you too.

With love

Christel