Creativity Thrives in Adversity
Creativity thrives in Adversity.
Recently I had to pause my business to take care of my health. Recovering from a major surgery put a lot of limitations on me physically. I won’t lie, the experience was challenging for me in ways I never anticipated.
As a creative, when we are unable to create, it can severely impact our mental health. One thing that I have learned is that Creativity Thrives in Adversity and where there is a will there is a way.
We all have perceived limitations because our brains are programmed to working a certain way. We tend to be creatures of habit. So when we are faced with adversity, that prevents us from carrying about tasks in our routine ways our brains can send up red flags and shut down. At least, I know mine does. Once we realize the only limitations we have are those that we set upon ourselves, things get a lot easier.
I love to pick up and my camera and get creative at least once a week. It’s feels like more of a need than a want. Surgery had me laid up in bed for weeks, and I started to doubt myself, my abilities. My brain began to venture to some dark corners it had never explored before and I was desperately looking for a spark of light to help guide me out. I NEEDED to get back into the studio one way or another!
Where to start?
I started by assessing my limitations. Instead of focusing on what I couldn’t do I focused on what I could do. At this point in my journey I was able to sit for short periods of time. So I found a big comfy chair and had it set it in the corner of the studio bedroom. Next was to consider what tools I needed and what I had on hand. I had my canon 5D mark iv, it has wifi abilities. I also had my cell phone that has an app to control my camera remotely. A tripod to hold the camera, and 3 lenses a 35mm, 50mm, and a 135mm. These will help provide more variety.
I chose the back bedroom set in my studio for a couple of reasons. One it has my favourite light. Secondly I felt that by being in a smaller, simple space it helped me and my muse to connect and stay focused.
Creativity thrives in adversity and my creative need outweighed my limitations. I was allowed to think differently on how to utilize my strengths to overcome my current limitations.
To accommodating my physical limitations I remained stationary during these sessions. By doing this I learned a lot about myself as an artist and photographer. It has made me stop and take time with my thought process. It has definitely helped me to grow, and I have a new enthusiasm for my work. I have shown myself that creativity thrives in adversity rather than drown in it. While I likely won’t stop being an acrobat during my sessions, I will slow down and be more present in the moment.
