The Secret Behind Creative Blocks

According to Julia Cameron, the author of Artist’s way, when we open ourselves to creativity, we open ourselves to the creator’s creativity within us. Creativity is God’s gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God.When we are blocked creatively, the in-dwelling creative force which is the purest form of life energy gets blocked. Life doesn’t seem worth living. Nothing seems interesting.Why then do we face creative blocks?
Reasons behind a creative block:
There are many kinds of artistic blocks including limiting beliefs, fear, sabotage, jealousy and guilt. The reason varies from person to person. The most common underlying emotion behind all major creative blocks is usually fear. Fear of failure, fear of criticism or fear of shame. You can find fear arriving under all sorts of masks and personas.Some of us self-sabotage our creativity. We make U-turns just about at the point where our efforts are beginning to show promise. We give up too easily.
Are you blocking your creativity?
Even the most prolific artists, writers, and dancers sometimes get blocked. Their creative juices stop flowing mysteriously. But in reality, there is nothing mysterious about it. The creativity block usually stems from fear. Creatives then find innovative ways to block their creativity which had created the cause for the fear.
For example, an established writer might find herself blocked after a particularly nasty review. An aspiring writer might find himself blocked after a beta reader, who doesn’t understand what he is trying to bring out through his work, labels the work as half-baked with no promise.
A painter might find herself blocked after a particularly unsuccessful show. A dancer might face creativity block after a disastrous stage performance.
After that, they would find ways to distract themselves from being lured by their own inner creator.
Most of them would find solace in the creativity of others.They might go on reading binges, watching movies endlessly or might find comfort in food and alcohol. Anything to numb the creative energy that demands to be given an outlet.
The first major step you have to undertake to unblock your creativity is to confront your block.
What is it that you fear? What is the payback from being blocked? How are you blocking your creativity? Are you bingeing on something to numb your creativity? What is it?Who is your worst critic?
Answer these questions as honestly as you can. Then we can find ways to eliminate the block.Do comment below if you are facing a creative block and want to remove it.
The next post will deal with the ways to unblock creativity.
If you haven't read the first part of this series on creativity, read it here: Part 1: Who gets to decide that you are a writer?