Where I Get My Creative Energy
“Not just anyone should have access to you.”
”Your worth is not tied to your productivity.”
”You can’t use up creativity.”
I frequently lean on these quotes and phrases to remind myself of the reality of creativity as a renewable energy source. It’s also quite valuable.
It’s difficult to pinpoint an exact set of circumstances that’s optimal for me to do creative work. I can’t always control when an idea hits me or when I can’t seem to summon the energy nor the focus to churn out something I’ve been hired to do.
Creative work is work, let me tell you.
I derive creative energy from a few sources, mostly people in my life and others’ creative work. People’s vulnerability inspires me. Public speaking is something I find tremendously gratifying and a lot of fun, but it also drains me and I find myself needing to isolate to recharge afterwards.
Creativity isn’t a finite resource, but it’s impossible to be creative when you’re completely tapped out.
The reality of my work is that I can’t say ‘yes’ to everything. Preserving my energy and guarding my time is something I struggle with, particularly when my work is about being of creative service to others. I can’t spend my time trying to convince people of my worth; instead, I focus on creating value for those who do.
My creative energy comes from the encouragement and investment that others make in me and the work I create. I’m continually buoyed by the real, vulnerable conversations I see happening and by creative work popping up in unexpected places.
It’s a reciprocal relationship: when a client invests in me, I create something of real value for them. Money becomes an energy exchange, and what I earn doing creative work gets invested into my business (and my life), and I also use that money to invest in others.
What inspires you? Who inspires you? And where do you get your creative energy?
P.S. By now, you’ve no doubt heard the news that SXSW is cancelled this year. Aside from the loss of a fun event, Austin is taking a huge economic hit from this cancellation. Creatives, freelancers, and those in the service industry are affected the most: with lost gigs, many people in these spaces count on SXSW for a bulk of their annual revenue.
If you were ever considering supporting a local Austin creative, freelancer, and/or small business. the time is now. A fellow creative and I are hosting an event on 3/29 that is 100% produced by Austin women; there are countless Austin restaurants, bars, event spaces, and small businesses that are feeling this hit. Please consider spending your money on local Austin goods and services this month to help those affected.
(The image for this post is me speaking at Creative Mornings last month, captured by my friend and client Angelica Connelly of Connelly Creative. Check her out for beautiful Squarespace website designs and follow her on Instagram for interior design inspiration!)