Episode 24 | Creativity in Limited Spaces
Friday, September 20, 2024
Have you ever found yourself saying, "If I only had more space, then I could...," insert any creative project you've wanted to start? You're not alone.
Depending on your particular creative outlet or hobby, maybe you've imagined a wall of windows to let in natural light with views of the ocean or mountains. Or maybe you've pictured yourself behind a large mahogany desk centered in front of shelves filled with books, breathing in the smell of pine trees surrounding your lakeside cabin.
The specifics don't matter. What does matter is that we let our space limitations (whether real or perceived) stand in the way of being creative. In this episode we explore how to get creative with limited space and how to be a Creative despite physical space limitations.
Episode Topics
- Identify limiting beliefs related to our physical environment
- How to create an environment that's conducive to creativity regardless of our real or perceived space limitation
We're All Energy
As humans, we are conditioned to focus most of our attention on things we take in through our senses, but in reality, most of our existence and what we see in the world is just energy.
In the book, Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, the author, Dr. Joe Dispenza asks us to consider the atom - the smallest component of our existence. The atom is 99.99999% energy and only 0.00001% matter. Matter is everything you see and touch. It's our physical environment.
All physical things - a desk, chair, trees, humans, everything - are made up of atoms. Therefore, only a tiny fraction of everything you see is physical matter. The rest is energy.
When we shift your perception to recognize that so much of what is going on in the world is stuff we can't see, it gives us a lot of power and control over what's going on internally because we are able to manipulate and change our energy.
Limiting Beliefs Around Physical Space
Limiting beliefs are thoughts that arise that tell us why we can't do something. These are driven by negative energy. In terms of physical space, a limiting belief could sound like, "I live in a small apartment so I can't...". Or "I have kids I share my space with, so I can't...".
At times this can be a barrier to creativity because we have limiting beliefs around how we want our space to be in order to get started with creativity. We picture the ideal - a studio space with big windows and cubbies, shelves filled with books, whatever we imagine to be the perfect space. If our physical environment does not match our idea this becomes a limiting factor.
In reality, our creative energy or output is not determined by the space around us. To accomplish our creative goals, it is necessary to overcome the limiting beliefs about our physical space.
Levels of Consciousness
Identifying Negative Energy
The first step in letting go of limiting beliefs is identifying the emotions that are at the root of these thoughts. One method for identifying your emotions is with The Levels of Consciousness Scale developed by David R. Hawkins.
Dr. Hawkins' scale is a way of understanding human behavior, emotions, and spiritual growth. Each level represents a specific frequency or vibration of awareness. Low levels of consciousness are driven by negative emotions and destructive behavior. The lower you are, the more trapped you feel by negative emotions and limiting beliefs.
Let's take a look at how the low levels of consciousness can relate to limiting beliefs about our physical space:
Pride
Pride might sound like expecting the space to be perfect or to meet the ideal version of creativity. When reality doesn't meet expectations, then chances are you're not going to get creative.
Desire
Desire is always wanting more and being discontent with what you have. You always think that things can be better, you never have enough space, or you always want things to be different.
Anger
Anger is considered a secondary emotion, because it usually stems from unresolved issues. Anger is the voice of the unheard. Maybe you've voiced things you've wanted and you're just not getting it. And whenever those things aren't resolved, then you just get more and more frustrated, which turns into anger.
Fear
Fear can look like anxiety or worry about putting yourself out there and being vulnerable. Fear can also relate to other people in the home, or people that are close to you. You may experience fear around their reactions to putting yourself first and giving yourself the time and space that you need to get creative.
Grief
Grief is loss. You may recall a time when you had a nice space and you were able to get more creative. You may reflect on what you used to have, and experience grief because it's not like that anymore.
Guilt
Guilt may arise when we feel badly about taking the space necessary to create. Women may experience this more frequently because, as women, we are socialized to put others needs first. We're the nurturers, and take care of the household so sometimes we feel guilty when we take space for ourselves.
Shame
Shame shows up as not feeling good enough to take the space for yourself or not feeling like you deserve it.
Identifying what level of consciousness your limited beliefs are rooted in can inform the actions to take to start letting them go.
Choose A Positive Alternative
When you feel yourself in a spiral of limiting beliefs, stop and find the positive alternative. Let's go back to the Levels of Consciousness. As we shift from states of low energy and negative emotions to states of high energy and positivity we begin to feel hopeful, capable, and open to life's challenges.
It takes time and A LOT of practice to stop yourself in the middle of a spiral but over time it can become second nature.
Here are some positive alternatives to practice when you find yourself faced with a limiting belief.
Courage
This is the tipping point between negative and positive energy. Here, we start facing life challenges with strength and perseverance. We take control of their own lives and stop blaming others.
Courage is facing the fear of failure, the fear of making mistakes, or fear of vulnerability. This state of being correlates very strongly with fear. It's the courage to create despite fear and courage to make any necessary changes to your space.
Neutrality
Neutrality is not taking a position on something. It is making an intentional choice not to get angry or upset that the space is not what you want it to be, and remaining neutral. You might recognize that you feel frustrated about the situation, but then you're intentionally choosing not to get caught up in that negative emotion or that limiting belief.
This level is about flexibility and acceptance of life as it is. We are no longer in conflict with ourselves or the world. We take life one day at a time and go with the flow.
Willingness
Willingness is a proactive, positive attitude toward life. At this level we seek growth and are open to new possibilities. We are willing to take risks, and embrace life’s challenges.
It is also the willingness to let go of expectations and to be willing to work within the space that you have. We will continue to move forward and choose creativity regardless of the situation.
Acceptance
Acceptance is a realization that things are not going to be perfect. We accept the space for what it is and getting creative within the space.
At this level, we fully accept ourselves and others. We are realistic about life, take responsibility for our experiences, and understand that we have the power to choose our responses to external events.
Reason
Reason is wisdom and awareness, understanding that the practice of creativity is important enough to overcome physical limitations.
This level is marked by intellect, logic, and understanding. People at this level are deeply analytical and seek knowledge and truth through the mind. This is often the level of scientists, philosophers, and thinkers.
Love
Love is not just romantic love but unconditional love. This is selfless, without attachment or conditions. When we are at this level we radiate kindness, compassion, and empathy toward all beings.
This is respect for yourself, to put your needs first. And sometimes we think, Oh, well, I love my kids or I love them. When you put yourself first mean, it doesn't mean that you are taking love away from others because love as an energy is infinite. So true love, in this respect, means loving yourself and also loving other people. One doesn't take away from the other. Loving yourself means sometimes creating that space for yourself, which is necessary.
Actionable Steps for Choosing the Positive Alternative
It is necessary to change your internal dialog by working to change the way you see your situation. First need awareness of what is going on internally.
Start by sitting in silence and asking yourself these questions, what is really going on internally? What do I believe? One way to do this is through is meditation. Engaging in regular meditation is key in tuning in your internal world.
Next, recite positive affirmations. Positive affirmations are short, powerful statements that you repeat to yourself to encourage positive thinking and belief in your abilities. To create a useful positive affirmation use the present tense and positive language. And make it personal! It has to be authentic to you for it to be effective.
Journaling can also be a great way to gain insight into your internal thoughts. When you write down your thoughts and feelings it allows you to organize and gain clarity. This doesn't necessarily have to be pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). You can also make voice notes, especially if think better by speaking out loud.
Get Outside!
How to Tackle the Other 0.00001%
Now that we've covered the 99.9999% that remains unseen, it's time to tackle the other 0.0001% of our reality. Even if your current space is not ideal and doesn't live up to opulent creative space of your mind, there is still tons you can do to make your space conducive to creativity.
Get Out
If you find yourself getting frustrated with the space you're in, the easiest thing you can do is leave. It could be as simple as taking a break and going for a walk. Go to a place that inspires you like a museum, art supply store or a bookstore.
Take it step further and work somewhere new. This does depend on the actual creative work that you're doing. If most of your creative work involves a computer, take your computer with you. There's literally Wi Fi everywhere now, so no excuses. Sometimes a change of scenary can spark your creativity.
Organize & Declutter
If you work in a cluttered space, it may be difficult to focus and relax. In fact, MRI scans show that people in cluttered homes have higher levels of cortisol. Set up your workspace for a productive creative session by doing a five to ten minute tidy up either before you get started or at the end of each work day.
Decluttering is a crucial step in the organization process. Don't spend time organizing things that should be tossed out. This goes for digital clutter too. Hanging on to hundreds of outdated Google Docs or thousands of duplicate photos? Get rid of them.
Here are a couple of great resources for organizing and decluttering your space:
Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin
The Minimalists: Podcast and Website
Optimize for Comfort
Maybe it's not the space that bothers you but the stuff that's in it. Think about your chair or your desk. Could it be more comfortable? Consider replacing them.
Before you begin your creative task, get your creature comforts together first. Everyone is different, but some common items are a cozy beverage like coffee or tea, a tasty snack, calming music or a scented candle.
Look at Your Lighting
Lighting plays a role in the look and feel of your space. While natural light has proven to have a positive effect on creativity, not all of us are fortunate enough to have access to a window. Or you might prefer (or are only able to) work at night. But don't worry, you can get lights that mimic natural light. Plus, studies have also show blue and green hues enhance creativity. There are many lights on the market that allow you to adjust your lighting to fit your mood
Personalization & Flexibility
There are research studies that show people are more effective at work if they have the ability to personalize their space, whether it's bringing in a plant, having pictures of their their family up, or being able to rearrange your office how you like it.
This extends to your home. Obviously, you have more autonomy at home, so make the space personal to you by setting up your own little creative corner. Maybe you don't have the space to take up an entire room, but designate one specific space in the house that is yours for creative work.
The simple act of rearranging furniture in your home can give you a different perspective and shift your mind into "fresh start" thinking.
Another tip for small spaces is being flexible with your schedule. Let's say you and your partner live in a one bedroom apartment, and you just need some of that space for yourself sometimes. Consider setting a schedule where you have the bedroom to yourself on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and your partner has it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Setting a schedule might seem for too rigid, but if you are sharing a space in a limited space with more multiple people, those conversations need to happen.
Lastly, be flexible in the way you create. Your ideal may be creating murals, but you're living in that one bedroom apartment, murals may not be in the cards now. That doesn't mean that you don't create at all. Find something on a smaller scale that you can do.
The Four Q's
During this show segment, we introduce four ways to interact with the material presented: A question to answer, a quest to complete, an aspect of creativity we've noticed this week, and a quote to ponder.
Question:
Do you have limiting beliefs about your space?
Quest:
Identify a limiting belief you have about your space and determine a positive alternative to let go of negativity.
Quality Creativity:
Getting creative while living in a van with small daily drawings
Quote:
"There is one grand lie - that we are limited. The only limits we have are the limits we believe."- Wayne Dyer
Have a Creative Week!
Episode Credits
The Everyday Creative is hosted by Evie Soape and Emily Soape. It is produced by Emily Soape.
Please drop us a comment or question at hello@theeverydaycreativecollective.com. You can also find us on Instagram @theeverydaycreativecollective and Pinterest.
Theme Music: “Living Life” by Scott Holmes Music. Available for use under the CC BY 3.0 license at Free Music Archive.
Break Background Music: "Alive In It" by Ketsa. Available for use under the CC BY 3.0 license at Free Music Archive
Hi, we're Evie & Emily
Co-founders of The Everyday Creative Collective
We believe that everyone is creative. Creativity can be used to enrich everyday life. Click here to learn more.
