Inner Blocks to Creative Energy
Jo-Ann Vega takes an honest look at the inner voices that sabotage creativity, from perfectionism to self-doubt, and shares how humor, patience, and perspective can reignite inspiration when life throws a curveball.
“I’m not good enough!” “I don’t have time to write.” “It’s too hard to get a book contract.” “My work has to be perfect before I’ll submit it.” “It’s not worth it.” “I give up.”
Have you heard or said some variation of these sentiments? I have.What do these statements have in common? They reflect inner blocks to your creative goals and energy that can be moved, removed, or detoured around.
Here’s a personal example to share.
One of my major goals this year was, past tense, to publish an anthology of poems and essays I’ve penned since my recovery from a life-threatening illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. I had the year mapped out, was budgeting money, preparing the metadata, polishing the manuscript; pleased I was on schedule. Then life intruded, and not in a good way.
Here’s the short story. During a scheduled maintenance of my home heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system, in preparation for summer, I learned the system needed extensive and costly repairs. When the technician showed me the photos and the estimate, I knew the entire system would need to be replaced NOW! The furnace was a fire hazard. The cost to replace the system would seriously deplete my bank account and detour my glide path towards publication. The depressing reality was the safety of my home was a more pressing priority than publishing.
What did I do? I stopped writing and working on my manuscript, researched and interviewed contractors, secured the financing, and had the system replaced. It’s not always easy to be an adult lol! Then I sulked for a couple of weeks. After a month or so, I reviewed my manuscript, penciled in changes to my publishing goals, began to rebuild my finances, and felt the return of my creative energy.
What happened? I examined my negative self-talk [It’s not meant to be!], low tolerance for frustration [Why does something always happen just when I’m ready to move forward?], and desire for perfectionism [I can publish a third book in four years and celebrate 50 years of journaling.] Yes, I initially felt a bit sorry for myself. Then I laughed at and forgave myself and was able to get back on the path towards publishing next year.
Symptom: Negative self-talk
“I’m not good enough!” “I don’t have time to write.” “It’s too hard to get a book contract.” “My work has to be perfect before I’ll submit it.” “It’s not worth it.” “I give up.”
All are expressions of negative self-talk. The inner monologue we have with ourselves which takes a bit of practice to recognize and, in the case of negative self-talk, dilute and negate. Negative self-talk paralyzes and inhibits action.
Rx for negative self-talk
Affirmations, realistic assessment of skills and goals.
Symptom: Low frustration tolerance
Is it hard to stay on task, focus with distractions and disruptions, delays, and setbacks?
Rx for low frustration tolerance
If you, like me, have a low tolerance for frustration and find yourself easily distracted, then break your writing activities into smaller chunks and time to better manage distractions and inevitable delays. Since it’s impossible to get a hit every time you have an at-bat, recognize that good writing like good wine takes time and improves with constructive feedback from beta readers, editors, and reviewers.
Symptom: Perfectionism
Black and white thinking, all or nothing, is a sure prescription for failure. As Sylvia Plath recognized, “Perfection is an orphan.” Debut authors who secure a contract and achieve the heights with a best seller often find it challenging to pen an encore in the shadow of their initial success.
Rx for perfectionism
Get perspective. Listen to respected others who give you useful feedback and affirm your efforts. Be less critical of yourself. Take a time out to have fun and recharge.
Here’s hoping nothing major delays or detours your creative energy, plans and goals this year. When life intrudes, as it will, take a few steps back to recognize and address inner blocks, regain perspective, and then proceed!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jo-Ann Vega, MA: Human Resource Management & Development, New School, NY, an award-winning author and poet, is a dynamic speaker with more than 30 years of experience presenting to academic, business, and community groups. This includes 20 years of experience as an adjunct faculty teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in management, leadership, and team building, plus extensive experience crafting business communications.
A lifelong learner and educator, Jo-Ann spent almost a decade researching and working on a memoir, Moments in Flight, 2021, Reader Views Reviewers Choice Awards, 2023-2024, Classics, Memoir, Bronze Medal Winner. The following year, 2022, Jo-Ann published an anthology of 50 poems she wrote over 50 years, Wolf Woman & Other Poems, Reader Views Reviewers Choice Awards 2022-2023, Poetry, Bronze Medal Winner. A number of poems and personal essays have also been published.
https://outskirtspress.com/momentsinflight https://outskirtspress.com/wolfwoman
MOMENTS IN FLIGHT
The restrictions imposed worldwide by the covid pandemic have exacerbated social isolation and speeded up societal changes. There is a greater need now for authenticity, bridges to self, others, and history.
Moments in Flight: A Memoir is Jo-Ann Vega’s contribution to the quest for re-connection. Set in the last half century of transformative cultural change, Moments in Flight shares personal voyages of discovery beyond traditional boundaries of gender and culture. The subtitle identifies the mega themes of the memoir: Brings the immigrant story full circle; recovers lost history; shares hard-earned practical wisdom. Crafted and with excerpts from 40 years’ of writing and journaling, Moments in Flight also features useful websites, historical timelines and a Book Club Discussion Guide.
