“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

― Maya Angelou

This email comes with a BodyTalk formula at the end that you can tap out for yourself! So read on especially if:

1. You believe your suffering makes you (and/or your artistic and creative self) interesting OR
2. You’re having trouble connecting to your vibrant, creative self.

A new client emailed me after her first BodyTalk session with the concern that her artistic practice would lose its depth as she healed. She wrote,

“I’ve fallen prey to the idea that ME healing me might change my art or it would lose its depth…that sprit comes in through the wounds… and to heal the wounds = no art? I know that isn’t the truth, but there has been a real fear about it.”

Whether or not you’re a practicing artist, the trope of the “suffering artist” lives on like a huge cultural monolith. In fact, on some level it may be keeping you from accessing the depth of your creativity, whether that’s in taking a creative leap in your life or work, cooking a new meal or putting together an incredibly inspired, head-turning outfit for the day! (Thank you Bill Cunningham.)

On some level, your whole subconscious mind might be saying:

CREATIVITY = SUFFERING
SUFFERING = PAIN, DANGER
therefore
CREATIVITY = PAIN & DANGER

So, now your body screams “STAY AWAY” when creativity starts knocking at your door, or you start seeking pain and suffering because you believe it’s necessary for your creativity.

Here’s an alternative scenario:

It’s not your suffering that makes your interesting, it’s your transformation.

I’d like to throw in there “your creative transformation” because:

Healing is one of the most dynamic and creative spaces I know.

It can birth incredible creativity.

If you think about people you’re attracted to on a powerful level, it’s the people who have transcended their suffering. (Did you watch the video of the shelter dog who saved his owner’s life and cry like I did!?)

The fear part of ourselves is what keeps us attached to our suffering and glued like voyeurs to seeing others’ suffering in the world.

I can also reassure you that unless you’re seconds away from enlightenment, you will continue to have your daily doses of pain. Hopefully, they diminish and have less of a stronghold on your time and energy commitment schedule. Then before you know it voila! you have so much more time and space to be creative and bring your fullest self to each day.

Take it from pop artist Murakami (whose work is currently up at the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art):

My artistic practice grew by leaps and bounds once I let go of equating creativity with suffering. While the suffering hasn’t gone away entirely, my relationship to it has shifted so I can see the gifts in the wounds but not get attached to the wounds. It is an ongoing practice.

There’s a mini-BodyTalk formula below that you can read and tap out for yourself. And if you need a personalized boost to get to the next level, book an in-person or distant session HERE, and we can get the creative juices flowing again.

I am committed to helping you find your fullest unique expression. I love working with so many incredibly creative individuals, and the world needs your creativity now more than ever!

I remain inspired by you.

With gratitude and love,
Michelle

Group Formula for Creativity!

Two Priorities:

1. Active Memory “fears of being humiliated.” This could be a time you showed up fully in your creativity…through an outfit, childhood creation, or some expression of your truest self, and what resulted was being made fun of or or shut down. These “Active Memories” still hold a charge in your system and are using up your energetic resources. This priority is coming up because you’re ready to shift your relationship to those charged memories.
2. Psoas Muscle Release. The psoas is a deep hip flexor muscle that helps bend your leg. It can get tight and locked up in states of fear, affecting the whole alignment of your spine and legs. When it’s not functioning well, you may experience low back pain, breathing restrictions, lack of core stability, leg pain, etc.

Now TAP OUT!

Tap gently over your head brain, your heart center, and your gut brain (around your navel) as you take deep breaths. Imagine the charge from any of those active memories (conscious or subconscious) being pulled up and released. And imagine your psoas muscles lengthening, softening and finding their fluid, amazing stability again.