During these uncertain times, we need to thilnk through strategies to not only encourage and support our creative practice but also for mental and emotional support.  A creative community can be the answer for both. 

I define a creative community as more than just a creative membership organization, (which it can be), but a group of artists, writers, or other creative people who may meet on a regular basis to exchange ideas, provide critique of work (if appropriate), share new work or ideas, socialize, celebrate wins and well create a sense of community.  It may be organic as a group of friends or a writing pod or more formal like a membership organization.  They may meet in person or online. They may be as many as three people or as large as hundreds or thousands.  They may be formed around a specific creative practice or may include people with multiple passions and interests.  They may be formal or informal, but they serve as resource and support to members and their creativityi. 

With life being more intense than ever, a creative community has many advantages to creative people...here's a few:

1. A sense of belonging:  With COVID-19 keeping many people away from loved ones, friends and creative colleagues.  Isolation can add to the stress of dealing with a pandemic.  A creative communitiy, even if they meet online can bring a sense of belonging and feeling that there others that care when you feel especially alone.
2. Socialization with Like-Minded People: If you are the only person in your household or among your family or friends who is a writer or painter, it is comforting to be around other writers or artists who understand some of the triumphs and struggles of being a creative.  
3. Feedback for Your Work:  A creative community can provide some feedback for your work.  For example, if you want to try something new or go a different direction, it's great to have a ready group of individuals that is part of your creative community to bounce ideas off of.
4. Sharing resources:  Let's face it, some creative practices have expensive supplies and resources to maintain, especially as inflation currently is engulfing the country. A creative community may have swaps or someone may give away or sell deep discounted art supplies or other resources that you may not have the option to purchase otherwise.
5. Support for Your Wins:  You got into that artist residency, published your first novel, or you got a gig as opening musical act for renown jazz band.  If those around you don't understand or share your excitement, your creative community will. These are the people who will show up and root for you when no one else will.

​Are you a member of a creative community? If not, have you considered forming one?

In November over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, The Beatles: Get Back, a 2021 documentary series directed and produced by Peter Jackson was released as a streaming 3 part film presented by Walt Disney Studios in association with Apple Corps and WingNut Films.  Additional producers include the two surviving members of the band, Paul McCartney and Ring Starr as well as the widows of those who passed, Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison.  It covers the making the The Beatles album Let It Be in January 1969 (released in 1970) and draws from material originally recorded for Michale Lindsay-Hogg's 1970 doculmentary of the album, alson titled Let It Be.  The film consists of three episodes documenting the band's time in the studio, their interactions with each other and discussions regarding songs and their infamous live performance on the roof of Apple Studios Headquarters in London, England.  

As a life-long Beatles fan, I totally enjoyed this film.  It is a rare glimpse into the creative journey by one of the World's most renown Classic Rock bands in history.  Outside some of the humorous and entertaining portions of the film, I learned a few lessons about creativity that I felt was important to share, especially when collaborating with others as well as an individual.   They are as follows:

• Show Up:  Nothing happens if iyou are not committed to showing up and contributing your part to the project.  
• Discipline is Important:  If you are not committed to your craft, it can not only affect your productivity but the productivity for all involved.  Being professional and ready to begin no matter what is what makes the magic happen.
• Exercise Boundaries When Necessary:  If a creative collaboration violates your boundaries, say so.  Stay true to your talents and contributions and if people do not respect them, let them know and the circumstances that may need to be changed to ensure everyone's voice is heard.
• Stay Flexible:  Timelines and circumstances may change while working on a creative project.  Instead of stressing about it, consider what changes may need to be made or negoitated to keep the project on track.  
• Be Open to Other Collaborators:  Sometimes the contributions of someone outside the group or you can make all the difference in the world to what you are creating.  Also be open to others in your group in allowing their contributions to be included and shine as well.
• Deal with Conflict with Compassion:  Understand what makes a contributor click and use compassion to deal with conflict.  Be open to honest dialogue, preferably in person and making changes that work for everyone. 
• Have a Sense of Humor:  Things can get too serious, which can negatively affect the creative process.  Being light and open to humor can help break stagnant energy or boost morale when the air feels heavy.

Did you watch this film and if so, what lessons were you able to glean from it regarding your creative projects?  Are there other films that you watched recently that have been helpful to your creative process?

Do you love to be creative, but want to take your creativity to a whole new level? Do you
feel overwhelmed by your work and find that your natural creative abilities and talents are
untapped? If so, you need to learn how to tap into your creativity whenever you want or
need to. When you allow creative thinking to flow, you will find that you can
enhance your natural abilities and accomplish more in less time.

Creative Thinking Begets Creativity

Creativity allows you to become who you want to be. If you cannot release your creativity,
you may feel your professional growth stunted, or you may not be able to think as clearly as you would like to. Many of people don't realize the importance of creativity until they are
taught to tap into it through creative thinking.

Are you wondering how you can get started with creative thinking? You can begin with
simple exercises like going through magazines and cutting out random images. You then
can glue them all to a paper or a board without thinking about it just let your creative juices
flow! Finally, step back and see what your mind has created. You may be impressed and
surprised with yourself. This surely will help you tap into your creative energy.

Listen to Something New

Another way to jump-start your creative thinking is by listening to music. Put on an album
that you are unfamiliar with or borrow a friend's CD. When you listen to something that
you have never experienced before, you may find that you are changing your
definitions of creativity and are lighting your creative fire at the same time.

Get Creative By Getting Your Groove On

Dance! Creative thinking often starts with an active body. Put on a CD or go out to a jazz
club. Try a dance class, or enjoy the movement of your body in your own living room.
Whatever it is, do something to get up and get going! You will be surprised at how creative
you'll feel afterwards. You may feel inspired and ready to tackle new and exciting projects.
Or perhaps you'll find that your workload isn't as daunting as it first appeared. After all,
you'll be relaxing while having fun!

Write Your Heart Out

Another option is to set your timer for 15 minutes. From the minute you press start, you
should write freely. Write whatever comes to mind without thinking about it or planning.
Then step back and see the creativity that flowed from your mind to your hand, and then to
your pen and onto the paper.

Yet another awesome way to boost creative thinking is through affirmations. These positive
statements can help you remember what it is to be creative and how wondrous it feels when creativity flows through you. You can create a list of affirmations for yourself such as, "I feel an intense flame of passion for things that interest me," that can help you tap into the
creative person that you are, even as you deal with everyday stresses.