It is extremely frustrating to get creatively blocked. Sometimes we might describe it as being clogged up, and other times we would say we are dried up. Whichever the case, it is dangerous to stay there. Fortunately, there are some techniques that help us figure out what is going on inside and enable us to let the creativity flow again.
Getting unstuck requires getting curious about what is going on inside. Curiosity is essential to creativity. We can often lose our curiosity over time when we get too familiar with our mediums, materials, styles, techniques, and so on. We fall into patterns, habits and/or routines that make our art, craft, music, writing, etc. feel stagnant. Curiosity dries up when we feel that we know everything there is to know about something or when we stop asking questions. That is why we need to tap into our inner-child. Children are naturally curious. They ask lots of questions. There is a stage when ‘why’ is their favorite word. We need to go back to this type of childlikeness in order to reactivate our curiosity and explore what is keeping us stuck.
As we get curious and start asking the right questions, we will not only unlock our inner-child, but also an inner-wisdom. Some people may call this our spirit. Your spirit will have a different perspective, a view that sees beyond the barriers that say you can’t. When you align your thoughts with your inner-wisdom, you will get free from the lies holding you back.
Now let’s look at a technique that I have found to be very helpful.
Lucia Capacchione, in her book The Power of the Other Hand, talks about the benefits of learning to write and draw with your non-dominant hand. For most people that would be their left hand. She explains that doing activities with your non-dominant hand helps you access the right side of your brain. She notes that Walt Disney used to make his new illustrators draw the characters with their non-dominant hand. Most of them would complain that it was awkward and tedious. However, after doing these exercises over time, when they went back to drawing with their dominant hand the characters came alive. It’s all about breaking old patterns, getting unstuck and allowing yourself to see from a different perspective.
Obviously, it is difficult to write or draw with the other hand. It’s uncomfortable. Your handwriting looks childish. It’s almost like learning to write and draw all over again. By writing and drawing with your non-dominant hand you will learn to let go of perfectionism, become more compassionate with yourself, see things from a different angle and access your inner-child.
A drawing teacher that was one of Lucia Capacchione’s clients explains that your brain tells you that you can’t write or draw with your non-dominant hand, but when you do it and see that you were able, it boosts your confidence and gives you a new perspective that says, “I can”. When you see that you can do what your mind told you that you couldn’t, you get curious about other challenges that you previously thought were impossible.
This teacher gave the following advice, “Put yourself in an uncomfortable position, feel awkward, and observe how you relate to discomfort. Then push through it.”
Lucia Capacchione talks about using your non-dominant hand, not only as a catalyst for creativity but for change in all areas of life. She also tells the stories of many people who, after applying the techniques detailed in her book, went on to make major life changes and accomplish creative goals they had never dreamed of.
So why not give it a try? Get a pen and paper. Pick up the pen with your non-dominant hand and first write your name. Now continue to describe what you are experiencing. How does it feel to write with your non-dominant hand? What do you notice about your non-dominant handwriting?
You can also hold conversations between both hands. You can use your dominant hand to ask your non-dominant hand why you are stuck? Or you can even assign your dominant hand the role of inner-critic and the non-dominant hand can be your inner-child. Write out your conversations using both hands. You might be surprised at what you discover.
Here is one of my first dominant and non-dominant hand conversations.
Dominant: You are a failure. You want to do something great but look at you. You have never done anything extraordinary. You are a joke. You aren’t diligent enough. You aren’t skilled enough, organized enough, or passionate enough. You are confused. You don’t even know what you want.
Non-dominant: I am a dreamer. I am a visionary. I love myself. I am beautiful.
Dominant: Did you not listen to a word I said? All you do is dream. You never get anything done.
Non-dominant: What’s the hurry?
Dominant: People won’t put up with your laziness forever.
Non-dominant: I am loved. God is not finished with me yet.
Lucia Capacchione’s book is full of practical exercises to help you release your creativity and discover your inner-child. You can find the book HERE in paperback, Kindle or Audible.
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And if you have any experience writing or drawing with your other hand, I would love to hear about it in the comments.
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