Do we have to feel 'tortured' to be a creative?
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Do we have to feel 'tortured' to be a creative?
Overwhelm, shiny new projects, and a soft intention to be more carefree
Salted (adjective): having developed a resistance to disease by surviving it.
Only two days ago I told myself I was going to take three months away from any public writing.
Yet, here I am, at some unearthly hour on a Sunday, beavering away at my laptop in The Yoga Cabin, ambient tunes swirling, windows wide, waves noisy, seagulls yabbering away.
As inconsistent as I tell myself I am (see my last post for more on this) it seems I can’t go more than a couple of weeks before the Substack fairy tap-dances on my brain until I spit some words out of my fingers and onto this page.
Hmm. There seems to be a pattern here, readers.
It goes something like this:
I journal/tell myself/tell someone else/get told by a loved one that I’ve too much on, I can’t manage it all, I’m overwhelmed, something’s got to give
I get fiercely productive, make a list of everything I’m doing and decide what can ‘do one’ and be let go
I promptly burn said thing to the ground, immediately feel guilty, and swiftly fill my newfound space with yet another time and energy zapper
Bonkers, right?
(You may also be thinking “wind your neck in love, First World problems or what?! And you’re not wrong.)
But, after a lifetime of creating things, setting things up, dreaming things into being, and not being able to imagine a world without that, I am a creative. And as creatives, we have a duty to be a tiny bit ‘tortured’. Don’t we?
Tortured Artist trait: tortured artists are plagued by intense emotions and a drive to fulfill a creative genius that they can never quite satisfy. They are at the mercy of their strong emotions and channel that passion into their creativity.
Overwhelm and its spiky, extroverted, wankered-on-absinthe second cousin, Shiny New Project, sure have a lot to answer for. And my drive and desire to know more, more, more, about everything (because the world is such a bloody exciting place!)…and then feel totally burdened by my new interests and want to get out, quick…is the loop I keep travelling, over and over.
I know that, now. I recognise it when it’s brewing. Knowledge really is power. And I have something to work with.
I’m sure my capacity will be up to unpicking this topic at length soon. But for now I’m sharing a playlist, the creative projects I’m planning for April, my latest photos, and a conversation starter question for you to ponder and chat about in the comments.
Take off your shoes and step into The Yoga Cabin. I’ll put the kettle on.
Playlist: Uplifting Pop for Spring Happiness 🌼
I thought I was making this playlist just for me (because, well, The Saturdays?! Jonas Brothers?! ) But it seems you enjoy my eclectic choices, some pretty old and some brand new releases, so here you go. I suggest playing tracks in the order listed, loud, and having a good ole declutter or spring clean to it. Only want to listen to one track? Make it this one.
My April creative projects:
Diving back deep into menopause research and study, with a course by Burrell Education, a workshop with The Well HQ, and books to read by Baz Moffat and Dr Lara Briden. I’ve recently got a new project up and running at The Beach Wellness in partnership with the local Primary Care Network aiming to ease the load from the NHS in our area. This project is probably my most passionate yet and much of our work is with women aged 40 - 60 who are really struggling. I’m on a mission here for sure.
Enjoying a new community space, ‘Let Her Be’, with Johanna Rossi, who has also just started a brand new Substack!
And I’m seriously in need of some downtime, which I’ll be spending in Journal Love Club (opens again for 2023/24 I believe next month) complete with washi tape, glittery stickers and fountain pens. Heaven!
What I’ve been up to lately:
Your turn!
Q. What do you think about the link between ‘the tortured creative’ and mental health? As creatives/artists/writers is it that we are simply more likely to outwardly express our emotions and feelings?
Q. Does creativity breed happiness? Or does happiness breed creativity?
Q. Is there a project you’re stressing over not finishing/not starting? Care to share? Might that help?
Well, there you have it. I was totally going to write about leaving social media (entirely! I'll tell you about it next month?) but this is what the truth pixie wanted me to share instead ;)
Intending for April to be full with family, with weddings and with garden tidying, so I will aim to see you next here in May.
Love to hear from you as always. The comments are open!
x Luisa
Do we have to feel 'tortured' to be a creative?
Wonderful post, Lisa! I do believe strongly that creativity breeds happiness, though I don't think the reverse is always true. I often get my best writing done when I'm feeling full of angst.
Hi Luisa. Great questions! I think creativity cultivates happiness at least that’s how it works for me. I feel more whole through writing and sharing. I’m currently working on a memoir about our experience fostering our five year old son for almost two years and then letting him go. I’m also committed to weekly publications on my Substack, sometimes that trumps the work on the book, but I don’t really stress it. I’m just grateful that I’m finding time to write and that people are finding meaning in what I write.