Here you’ll find my thoughts on creative work and writing experiences.
The Flow
People talk a lot about flow when they talk about the creative process. It’s this magical state, supposedly.
Now, I don’t entirely disagree with the idea of “flow”. I’ve experienced a version of it myself. I do think, though, that thinking about it in one way can come with baggage.
Let me explain.
If you are envision this “flow” as a state where you hardly have to think about the words you’re putting down and everything just happens naturally without any issues, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
Why?
Because as soon as you sit down and discover that writing or painting or making music presents real challenges, you might be tempted to call any problem you face “a block.”
And this is a disservice, both to you and to the art you want to make.
Those challenges, whatever they may be, are actually the raw material you need to begin finding a sense of flow.
The creative process can look like a river carving out a channel. The flow of the river, my process that I enter into every single day, doesn’t stop just because it comes up against a log.
That would be very “un-river” of it.
Instead, the river would flow around the log, or over it, or under it. It might even, in some cases, push the log to the side altogether.
That flow is me getting up every day and putting words on paper, testing out new melodies and harmonies on the piano, or learning a new technique in water color painting.
But if I make the decision to no longer enter into the creative process, if I refuse to keep making because of this log I’m pushing up against, then I do lose flow.
I’m not a river any more, then. I become a pond.
Ponds are great for a lot of things, but they don’t have flow.
A pond is me saying “I guess this post isn’t worth publishing” or “I am not going to keep trying with this song” or “this painting is going to remain unfinished.”
But I am here for the flow, log or no log. So day after day, I get up and create something. I find my flow, even if it means I have to work against that block.
Now I know that the block can actually help me find the flow, because the flow will always have challenges.
I’d love to help you find your flow. What are some logs you’re up against these days?
Let me know!
-Rachel
Rachel Palm Creative Media 