{Creative Career} What if we tell ourselves, "I've arrived... for now."

A gentle suggestion for protecting and preserving your creative energy

Dear Creative Adventurers,

I’ve developed an evening habit of opening a window and sprawling like a starfish on my living room floor. As crisp winter air takes over the stale indoor ambiance, I breathe it in, slowly.

I’m sure my neighbour with the overlooking balcony is concerned, but this new habitual is in fact a happy one. It reminds me that enough can be enough.

Would I prefer to be frolicking in the country instead of sitting laying in a cramped city apartment that’s losing its charm the further into lockdown we go? Absolutely. But being able to enjoy a sliver of nature in the middle of a massive metropolis is its own kind of wonderful. More nature might be nice, but more isn’t necessary for me to savour that specific moment.

A similar principle can also apply to work.

In a world that’s constantly telling us that we always need to do more, be more, sell more, create more, no matter what, to be considered “successful”, the concept of enough can lift us from a state of perpetual stress.

What if instead of always frantically thinking, “I have to get to the next level now!” we tell ourselves, “I have arrived for now.”

Giving ourselves the grace to sustain vs scale can alleviate a tremendous amount of internal pressure. It’s easy to forget as entrepreneurs and creatives that we’re allowed to grant ourselves a beat whenever we need it. Especially during incredibly challenging times like these. Even sustaining is hard at the moment, so remember to be kind to yourself; getting through the day is a win.

This isn’t to say don’t be ambitious, don’t pursue your goals, grow or chase your dreams. Those things are important and incredible in their own ways. Rather this is a gentle reminder (for myself as much as anyone) that welcoming the concept of enough in the now, in small ways wherever we can, can help preserve creative energy. Doing so can be a powerful tool for reinstating a sense of calm, if only for a little while, in your creative work and life. And from calm, comes magic.

Consider asking yourself, in what small ways are you enjoying enough this month?

Keep creating wildly!
Laura

{originally published March 1st, 2021 — which feels like a lifetime ago}

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{Creative Career is an on-going column that explores how to turn your passions into a lasting livelihood. As well as approaches for working in a way that bolsters brave creativity instead of burning it out.}

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