Creative Permission: It’s All Been Done Before, Thank You Twyla Tharp
In thinking about what to write to you today, I was reminded of Twyla Tharp’s Book, The Creative Habit: Learn It And Use It For Life and what she says about navigating the various harbingers of paralysis and overwhelm that we often face when embarking on new creative projects. So I read it again, and It’s just so good that in the spirit of “It’s all been done before”, I ‘m going to share it with you here verbatim. If there is a part of your creative soul that is feeling feelings right now, may this be both balm and fuel to stick with it.
Let’s all be reminded together because I’m right there with you!
“…distractions and fears -- are the dangerous ones. They're the habitual demons that invade the launch of any project. No one starts a creative endeavor without a certain amount of fear; the key is to learn how to keep free-floating fears from paralyzing you before you've begun. When I feel that sense of dread, I try to make it as specific as possible. Let me tell you my five big fears:
1. People will laugh at me.
2. Someone has done it before.
3. I have nothing to say.
4. I will upset someone I love.
5. Once executed, the idea will never be as good as it is in my mind.
"There are mighty demons, but they're hardly unique to me. You probably share some. If I let them, they'll shut down my impulses ('No, you can't do that') and perhaps turn off the spigots of creativity altogether. So I combat my fears with a staring-down ritual, like a boxer looking his opponent right in the eye before a bout.
1. People will laugh at me? Not the people I respect; they haven't yet, and they're not going to start now....
2. Someone has done it before? Honey, it's all been done before. Nothing's original. Not Homer or Shakespeare and certainly not you. Get over yourself.
3. I have nothing to say? An irrelevant fear. We all have something to say.
4. I will upset someone I love? A serious worry that is not easily exorcised or stared down because you never know how loved ones will respond to your creation. The best you can do is remind yourself that you're a good person with good intentions. You're trying to create unity, not discord.
5. Once executed, the idea will never be as good as it is in my mind? Toughen up. Leon Battista Alberti, the 15th century architectural theorist, said, 'Errors accumulate in the sketch and compound in the model.' But better an imperfect dome in Florence than cathedrals in the clouds.”
― Twyla Tharp, The Creative Habit: Learn It And Use It For Life
WE WEAR MANY HATS
BEGINS MARCH 7!
Speaking of Creative Projects! The buzz is out and people are excited! about We Wear Many Hats!
Join me for virtual workshops, one-one coaching , and creative co-working time that will support you to develop practices for transforming the roadblocks that keep you from doing the creative things you long for . Whether your creative life is tied to your professional or personal identities or both, I believe you have the right to claim it and live it on your own terms.
With lots of love and full moon vibes,
Tara