I love the idea that creativity is the opposite of anxiety. That makes so much sense, not just in my head, but viscerally. Such a great post, Anne, and I am so glad to hear that you are experiencing this. It’s encouraging.
Hi Grace--I have found a lot of healing from Quantum Energy Coaching. https://qecliving.com/
It's useful for a lot of things but is truly profound for healing childhood trauma. There is so much discussion of trauma, and making the unconscious conscious, but healing is something else, and apparently supposed to be very slow and painful. But QEC is neither.
Yes, but we know that neuroplasticity is real. The thing is to get into the subconscious that has formed certain beliefs during childhood. Dr. Salmon explains this in some of her videos and interviews. I love the ones she did with Sandy Newbigging on his Mind Detox podcast. There are two of them.
Anne, I am at this very moment reading Beyond Anxiety by Martha Beck & finding it absolutely eye-opening, exciting, the key to unlock creative blocks that years of morning pages have not. I am also for two months now doing Nicole Sachs’ JournalSpeak, targeted expressive writing daily on past or present stressors so the nervous system won’t perceived strong emotions like fear or shame or grief as predators and send pain as a way to ‘protect’ me—for me, a chronic low back issue that hit me three months ago. After two months of JournalSpeak I am experiencing a gradual but marked cessation of symptoms. Mind-body approaches are miraculous medicine aren’t they. When we take whole body approaches to healing, I’m confident it is the path to lasting health. Today after three months I’ve suddenly had a burst of excitement for my abandoned novel in progress, and how good that feels, to have the creativity doing its dance once again, where time falls away. I am so excited for your breakthroughs in your healing and your writing. And to learn with Jeannette Winterson—wow!
That is such wonderful news, Amy!! I’m so happy for you that you are feeling better and inspired!! Mind-body healing is a bit like having a part-time job. I’m glad it’s reaping results for you!
So many of us relate! For 5-6 years I too have been very restrained in my creative pursuits, when it used to be my whole life. I just took a book proposal class and felt so overwhelmed by the ton of work that I had to take a breather. I’ve always had tons of energy and yet now, I poop out by 3 PM…..it started just before the pandemic when my son’s kids lived with us for 18 months, then he and his kids stopped talking to me, my husband lost his job, we thought he had dementia and outrageously it took a year to find out that he doesn’t but he’s still having issues, and they affect me. I long for my creative life. I feel lost and frustrated. I think I need to check out your resources.
I have for years wanted to finish my degree but have postponed because of thoughts of it would be worth it, fear of failure, and claiming lack of time. Now at my age of 52 I wonder if I’ve just run out of time. I don’t understand myself and why I can’t push myself.
Dearest Lisa, No way have you run out of time!! I’m 55 and starting over in a totaly new field. I feel alive again! But something is holding you back. A couple of suggestions. Read Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic, if you haven’t already. Such an inspiring book, and she is great on fear of failure! Also, consider doing some energetic work around your blocks. I’ve found Quantum Energy Coaching super helpful. There are other modalities as well, such as Psych-K and Emotional Freedom Technique. I’ve found this kind of ‘therapy’ that works with what is blocking your energy and how to get it flowing again much more effective than traditional talk therapy. I’ve written about the work of Emily Snider, Melanie Salmon, and Sandy Newbigging in recent posts. They are all wonderful!
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I’m truly grateful. I will certainly take a look at all your suggestions. I do need to stop believing it’s “too late” and nurture the life I have ahead of me. You serve as an inspiration. I’m glad that your health is doing better.
I’ll also pop in here to add a little encouragement if helpful, Lisa! I’m nearing 50 and just finished an MA myself. I also almost didn’t do it because I felt it was too late; I felt I should be doing something “sensible.” For me, it helped that one elder after another told me now is the PERFECT time — that’s there’s so much more we can both absorb and give at this age.
Thank you for sharing this information, Anne! I know that when I am distracted by anything going on unexpectedly—with my sons or siblings, for example, or my spouse—it is impossible for me to get into that creative zone. The exercises/techniques that I have learned to let go of issues that are beyond my control have been helpful. And the creative practices help. It’s like part of a cycle that’s good and healthy, versus being in the anxiety/blocked creative which is a very negative cycle! I appreciate your sharing what are learning. ❤️
Thanks Anne. This is so helpful. I have heard of the left brain right brain theory in psychology and well-being discourse. Oh I do love to reside in the left brain, but it ain't doing me any favours!
This post resonated with me so much at this time! I am finally in my new home after months of moves, sickness, and renovation and finally loving it. The funny thing is that the renovation is not complete but my creativity for my perfumery work has exploded. I am working on a men's fragrance line next and surrounded by male energy, the earthy, woody smells of construction work and the closeness of my 100 year old home has inspired those ideas. I have let go of the fear of failure and anxiety over it - at least for the moment 🙃 🤗
Oh, Anne. This spoke to me so deeply. I have barely touched my creative work the past few years, I think because of all of the major upheavals that have been happening, including a move and four major surgeries across three family members. My anxiety and stress have been through the roof, and my ability to get into that creative space has been almost nil. It's a pattern I've noticed before, but never so clearly as now. Thank you for giving me some hope! (My scholarly writing is, for some reason, easier to do under stress - maybe because it leans on the logical and analytical?)
Interesting--yes, it makes sense that the scholarly writing can go on. I certainly found it more accessible over the years of what I now see was a very dysregulated nervous system. I hope you find your way back to less anxiety and more creativity soon!
This really resonated with me. I'm a musician, and for years I was plagued by anxiety that would actually stop me from being able to practise effectively - the little voice would judge me for not getting something right, during the perfect moment where I could correct the mistake. I would be so fearful of getting things wrong when on my own, let alone in front of others.
But recently I had turned a corner. I found a community where I could play without judgement (folk music is brilliant for this!) and my confidence made its way back to me in the fog of mental ill health. I also discovered writing, and have even had an article published in a journal ❤️
Incidentally, I'm also in Manchester too - obviously there no pressure because we don't know each other... but I'm always up for a coffee co-working session if that works for you? (Remotely or otherwise!). I know of a few lovely places to sit think and write ❤️
I'm so glad you are finding your way out of the anxiety and into the music and writing!! And thanks for the invite. I'm not in Manchester at the moment, and headed to a month in Paris soon. But I appreciate it!
I love the idea that creativity is the opposite of anxiety. That makes so much sense, not just in my head, but viscerally. Such a great post, Anne, and I am so glad to hear that you are experiencing this. It’s encouraging.
Thank you, Emily! It feels great to be emerging into the world again.
Yes, I bet.
Thank you for this, truly *multiplied by infinity* <333
I’m wondering how you were able to heal from your childhood wounds; it still seems to be a constant struggle for me.
Hi Grace--I have found a lot of healing from Quantum Energy Coaching. https://qecliving.com/
It's useful for a lot of things but is truly profound for healing childhood trauma. There is so much discussion of trauma, and making the unconscious conscious, but healing is something else, and apparently supposed to be very slow and painful. But QEC is neither.
Almost seems too good to be true..but I will look into it. Thank you so much Anne.
Yes, but we know that neuroplasticity is real. The thing is to get into the subconscious that has formed certain beliefs during childhood. Dr. Salmon explains this in some of her videos and interviews. I love the ones she did with Sandy Newbigging on his Mind Detox podcast. There are two of them.
Anne, I am at this very moment reading Beyond Anxiety by Martha Beck & finding it absolutely eye-opening, exciting, the key to unlock creative blocks that years of morning pages have not. I am also for two months now doing Nicole Sachs’ JournalSpeak, targeted expressive writing daily on past or present stressors so the nervous system won’t perceived strong emotions like fear or shame or grief as predators and send pain as a way to ‘protect’ me—for me, a chronic low back issue that hit me three months ago. After two months of JournalSpeak I am experiencing a gradual but marked cessation of symptoms. Mind-body approaches are miraculous medicine aren’t they. When we take whole body approaches to healing, I’m confident it is the path to lasting health. Today after three months I’ve suddenly had a burst of excitement for my abandoned novel in progress, and how good that feels, to have the creativity doing its dance once again, where time falls away. I am so excited for your breakthroughs in your healing and your writing. And to learn with Jeannette Winterson—wow!
That is such wonderful news, Amy!! I’m so happy for you that you are feeling better and inspired!! Mind-body healing is a bit like having a part-time job. I’m glad it’s reaping results for you!
This was so helpful - thank you!
So many of us relate! For 5-6 years I too have been very restrained in my creative pursuits, when it used to be my whole life. I just took a book proposal class and felt so overwhelmed by the ton of work that I had to take a breather. I’ve always had tons of energy and yet now, I poop out by 3 PM…..it started just before the pandemic when my son’s kids lived with us for 18 months, then he and his kids stopped talking to me, my husband lost his job, we thought he had dementia and outrageously it took a year to find out that he doesn’t but he’s still having issues, and they affect me. I long for my creative life. I feel lost and frustrated. I think I need to check out your resources.
I have for years wanted to finish my degree but have postponed because of thoughts of it would be worth it, fear of failure, and claiming lack of time. Now at my age of 52 I wonder if I’ve just run out of time. I don’t understand myself and why I can’t push myself.
Dearest Lisa, No way have you run out of time!! I’m 55 and starting over in a totaly new field. I feel alive again! But something is holding you back. A couple of suggestions. Read Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic, if you haven’t already. Such an inspiring book, and she is great on fear of failure! Also, consider doing some energetic work around your blocks. I’ve found Quantum Energy Coaching super helpful. There are other modalities as well, such as Psych-K and Emotional Freedom Technique. I’ve found this kind of ‘therapy’ that works with what is blocking your energy and how to get it flowing again much more effective than traditional talk therapy. I’ve written about the work of Emily Snider, Melanie Salmon, and Sandy Newbigging in recent posts. They are all wonderful!
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I’m truly grateful. I will certainly take a look at all your suggestions. I do need to stop believing it’s “too late” and nurture the life I have ahead of me. You serve as an inspiration. I’m glad that your health is doing better.
I’ll also pop in here to add a little encouragement if helpful, Lisa! I’m nearing 50 and just finished an MA myself. I also almost didn’t do it because I felt it was too late; I felt I should be doing something “sensible.” For me, it helped that one elder after another told me now is the PERFECT time — that’s there’s so much more we can both absorb and give at this age.
So helpful, thank you! I treasure the encouragement. It’s something that helps me a lot.
Wonderful! Yes, it’s the perfect time. I’ve kept hearing that from older friends as well.
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing this information, Anne! I know that when I am distracted by anything going on unexpectedly—with my sons or siblings, for example, or my spouse—it is impossible for me to get into that creative zone. The exercises/techniques that I have learned to let go of issues that are beyond my control have been helpful. And the creative practices help. It’s like part of a cycle that’s good and healthy, versus being in the anxiety/blocked creative which is a very negative cycle! I appreciate your sharing what are learning. ❤️
Pressed button accidentally. Continuing: lack of awareness of passage of time is truly being in the moment.
I learned to "be here now" after accepting a stigmatized humble beginning (a lengthy process) and even treating it with humor.
We are the stops in our lives; others seem more willimg to be open to us. Accepting ourselves is the bear but, indeed, freeing.
Brava for your journey.
Always love your words of wisdom, Miki!! ❤️
I love the insight about creativity and time
This really spoke to me this AM. Thank you.
Thanks Anne. This is so helpful. I have heard of the left brain right brain theory in psychology and well-being discourse. Oh I do love to reside in the left brain, but it ain't doing me any favours!
This post resonated with me so much at this time! I am finally in my new home after months of moves, sickness, and renovation and finally loving it. The funny thing is that the renovation is not complete but my creativity for my perfumery work has exploded. I am working on a men's fragrance line next and surrounded by male energy, the earthy, woody smells of construction work and the closeness of my 100 year old home has inspired those ideas. I have let go of the fear of failure and anxiety over it - at least for the moment 🙃 🤗
Sounds very exciting, Sharon! Enjoy your new home and all that male energy. :)
And how serendipitous that you were working with Jeanette Winterson while all of this hurting and healing was happening!
Oh, Anne. This spoke to me so deeply. I have barely touched my creative work the past few years, I think because of all of the major upheavals that have been happening, including a move and four major surgeries across three family members. My anxiety and stress have been through the roof, and my ability to get into that creative space has been almost nil. It's a pattern I've noticed before, but never so clearly as now. Thank you for giving me some hope! (My scholarly writing is, for some reason, easier to do under stress - maybe because it leans on the logical and analytical?)
Interesting--yes, it makes sense that the scholarly writing can go on. I certainly found it more accessible over the years of what I now see was a very dysregulated nervous system. I hope you find your way back to less anxiety and more creativity soon!
Thank you! I hope so, too. 🫂❤️
This really resonated with me. I'm a musician, and for years I was plagued by anxiety that would actually stop me from being able to practise effectively - the little voice would judge me for not getting something right, during the perfect moment where I could correct the mistake. I would be so fearful of getting things wrong when on my own, let alone in front of others.
But recently I had turned a corner. I found a community where I could play without judgement (folk music is brilliant for this!) and my confidence made its way back to me in the fog of mental ill health. I also discovered writing, and have even had an article published in a journal ❤️
Incidentally, I'm also in Manchester too - obviously there no pressure because we don't know each other... but I'm always up for a coffee co-working session if that works for you? (Remotely or otherwise!). I know of a few lovely places to sit think and write ❤️
I'm so glad you are finding your way out of the anxiety and into the music and writing!! And thanks for the invite. I'm not in Manchester at the moment, and headed to a month in Paris soon. But I appreciate it!
Ooh this sounds so exciting - what takes you to Paris?
Definitely - that sounds like a lovely time ☺️
My daughter! The best reason of all. :)
Enjoy Paris Anne. I just love it and hope to visit it again end of 🌞