Author: Maja Todorovic

Probably you do recognize yourself in those moments when you think “Oh, today, I’m just not in the mood for writing! I’ll do it some other time”. And it is no secret that many artists, including poets had that need to ‘induce’ their mood through drugs and alcoholism in order to create. For example:

Samuel Taylor Coleridge that it is regarded as one of the founder of  of the Romantic Movement in England was known for his opium addiction in later creative years;

It’s also widely accepted that Arthur Rimbaud’s long poem “A Season in Hell” was written under the influence of opium too;

French poet Charles Baudelaire declared that only when he’s drunk he is able to write. Similar happened to Dylan Thomas who also battled alcoholism for years.

So there is a globally accepted belief that great art can only be produced in moments of sadness, suffering, depression  or that we need some other consciousness altering stimulants to get us in the fruitful creative mood.

Now, we are all aware of the healing properties of art and  that they can provoke ‘creative miracles’. But I want to take your attention to the other side of creativity: being sad, depressed or even taking drugs and other stimulants is not going to boost your creativity.

Many  creative people do experience intervals of sadness, low self-esteem or self-pity, but most of them became their best creative version once they encountered something different, completely.

Most likely, when you didn’t feel like writing or doing anything else creatively you tried to drown your bad mood in endless cups of coffee and indulge with  too many sweet cookies.

Even if you did force yourself to do something, probably it was superficial, unsatisfactory according to your criteria which can only increase already existing bad emotions: you weren’t aligned with yourself, creating from your heart, with full desire and passion.

In order to access your full creative potential, you need to be satisfied with yourself. I’m not using word happiness on purpose, because in some cases it is seen as overrated and too elusive. But being satisfied with who you are, accepting and loving yourself in this very moment, in this very point of your life attracts your best ideas, it fuels your creative urge. And somehow the circumstances around you seem to align to assist you in your creative venture.

I know, as I speak from my own experience. Whenever I feel stress, anxiety and depression it drags me away from my goals, ideas, my focus and concentration. Then, I first try to check in with my self: why do I feel this way? How can I deal with this emotion? And sometimes I do write something just to expel that bad vibes out my system. But that is not my best creative moment. I see it more like a ‘reset button’, an entrance to my creative self: I’m able to keep my creativity firmly in my hands. it doesn’t slips through my fingers like sand.

You have that power always to access your best creative resources, to fabricate joy in what you do and don’t let outer circumstances influence your creative outlets. I know, it sounds easier said than done, but that can be also practiced. When you feel anxious, when something bothers you – go for a walk, do some exercises, talk to a friend, journal, do what ever you need for you to align with your own true, creative nature: where your values, purpose, passion and creativity become one. You have the ability to design your own happiness – you are in control of your emotions.

So, how do you feel at the pick of your creativity?

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