I’m in the grip of a fervour. But that fervour has no name. I have this huge desire to create, but I’m paralysed by the idea of naming it and ensuring it is meaningful. Sound familiar?

What happens next is one of two things. You grab the tools of your trade and ride it out or, you take the easy option and stifle it.

Here’s what I have found.

First up. See meaning for what it is. Ego in a sharp suit

Ego requires a pat on the back. Ego looks around at what everyone else is doing. Ego worries about what ‘people’ think.

Remind yourself that no two minds think alike.  So no use trying to second guess a reaction.

Accept that your path doesn’t have short cuts. Don’t believe anyone that says it does.

Stop comparing yourself to others that appear to make things look easy. It isn’t

Accept that the journey to finding meaningfulness might not feel meaningful. Those scribbles on the first page are vital stepping stones. Lay off the harsh judgement

Adopt a different relationship with the clock. You tell it, what you’ve got time for.

Ditch the idea of creativity needing discipline. It doesn’t. What it needs is its kinder sibling, devotion.  There’s a bit of neurolinguistics at play here -feel how the brain responds more graciously to the word devotion.  Be clear with yourself that your pursuit is out of passion and curiosity. No more, no less.

Bring this mindset to your creative space everyday (and when I say everyday, give yourself permission for it to be everyday). Time for creativity doesn’t need a weekend off.

Adopt these principles and you will calm that fervour and start to feel more fulfilled..