Where I Have Received Fringe Benefits from the Creative Process

Using the term the “Creative Process” is helpful for me as it is an inclusive way of reframing the entire experience of being in a creative flow, and helps to identify it’s benefits. For me, the term takes the weight off the use of the term “creativity” which could be related to an end result ultimately.

Striving to be perfect, isn’t helpful in the creative process, and the fear of not being creative ultimately stops the feeling of being creative. By just being in the creative process, rather than expecting preconceived results, relieves the pressure.

The process is the creativity.

When I’m in the creative process I feel a sense of relaxation and play. It’s in this process that I give myself permission to be myself without the pressure of needing to be something else. It’s not entirely ideal at times however. Because there’s a commercial aspect of getting work ready to sell, it can take away from the play, experimentation and ease. I try to at least be mindful of this type thinking.

From the book “The Muse is In”: the alignment with one of creativity’s fringe benefits is a “surge of liberating individualism as you define your authentic voice”. This, for me, is a huge fringe benefit.