I describe the manifestation of creative energy as restlessness. To be restless is often thought of as having no direction or purpose for energy - feeling nervous, anticipation, uneasy, over-excited. Without direction, energy is wasted - it is expelled in outbursts of emotion that often have no point or purpose other than getting the energy out so we can move on and focus on things that need doing. I want each and everyone of us to challenge this belief that restlessness is pointless. The next time you have that feeling of restlessness descend, instead of trying to banish it or bury it, sit with it and see why it is that you have this energy inside. I believe it's purpose is to signal an unfulfilled need - whether it be of the body or the mind is up to you to decide, but give it direction and see the wonderful things you can create when you harness that restlessness. Let us know your thoughts on restlessness and how it links to creativity or how you have experienced the manifestation of creativity in your life. Thank you for sharing with us!
top of page
Explore. Create. Grow.
I can relate to the part about finding another outlet if one isn't working! Lately, the piano's been calling me when I'm trying to write so I've been taking little breaks to play a piece or two, then coming back to writing. I'm not sure if that's just me procrastinating though! :)
I've never quite drawn this connection between restlessness and creativity, though I'm certainly familiar with both! Next time I'm feeling restless I will pay attention and see if the urge to create is wrapped up in that restlessness or if I can channel the restlessness into something creative.
I recently heard this quote by composer Arthur Honegger: "Composing is not a profession. It is a mania - a harmless madness." Immediately, I thought that this could be said of any art form.
To me, creativity feels like a force that flows through me in unpredictable ways, like the changing weather. Sometimes I need to sit quietly and wait for it, as if waiting for a ladybug to find me and decide whether it's safe to crawl onto my skin. Other times, it's an eruption bursting through me and demanding my attention. I'm trying to come up with a word for this...It's like the opposite of writer's block. Maybe writer's burst or "blurst" (a combination of blurt and burst). In those moments, I can hardly harness all that's coming through as there's too much and it's too fast for the logic of language to capture it all.
Thanks for inspiring this reflection!