You want to improve your creative confidence. What are some ways to use mindfulness?

Mindfulness and Creativity Try a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program. A review in the Thinking Skills and Creativity (2020) journal concluded, “There is solid evidence to show a generally beneficial and supportive relationship, in that practicing mindfulness can support creativity-but many factors affect this and there are a range of considerations for practice.” Source: Henriksen D, Richardson C, Shack K. Mindfulness and creativity: Implications for thinking and learning. Think Skills Creat. 2020;37:100689.

I studied with Marsha Linehan at her first world intensive training many years ago. Implemented DBT into our programs at Dignity Health and found mindfulness to be a key element. I hope all clinicians read her memoir!!!!!

Creativity yes, but align it with your childhood imagination & visualization. Your subconscious will thank you. As it can feel safe from both adult and child perspectives, creating alignment.

Breathe deeper, relaxing and moving are simple practices to be mindfully present in the moment - and to spark being creative. We all probably had moments when a novel idea appeared while taking a shower or going for a walk. This often happens while we're outside of our normal routine that are using the same brain circuits. Breathing deeper, relaxing and moving shifts the focus from the common thought patterns, and open up possibilities for being creative. These somatic experiences have also shown in neuroscience research to activate longer wavelengths in the brain, and thereby connect different parts of the conscious brain. If you feel stuck looking for new ideas, try relaxing your body, going for a walk and breathe deeply!

Creativity is the ability to generate new ideas and possibilities. This highly valued quality is responsible for the solutions to some of our most pressing problems and for many of the wonderful innovations that make our lives more enjoyable. The qualities of mindfulness are important components of creative ideation. The mindful state, in which an individual actively and nonjudgmentally notices novel aspects of objects and situations, forms an internal cognitive environment that lead to new products, discoveries, inventions, and processes can occur. Meditation enhances self-awareness, empathy, self-control and attention. It soothes the parts of the brain that produce stress hormones and builds those areas that promote learning.

Mindfulness can boost creative confidence by helping individuals become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, reducing self-doubt and fear of failure. Encourage mindfulness practices such as meditation or mindful breathing to cultivate present moment awareness and mental clarity. This can create a supportive inner environment where creative ideas can flourish without judgment or criticism. Additionally, mindfulness can help individuals detach from negative self-talk or limiting beliefs, allowing them to explore new ideas and take creative risks with confidence. By integrating mindfulness into your daily routine, you can enhance your creative process and trust in your unique abilities.

The fear of failure or producing imperfect work can hinder creativity and lead to feeling stuck. Mindfulness can help by encouraging acceptance of imperfection. Understand that creativity is a process and mistakes or setbacks are natural parts of that process. By letting go of the need for perfection and embracing the journey of creation, you can free yourself to explore new ideas and avenues without self-imposed limitations.

Consider practicing mindfulness meditation regularly as our awareness needs constant refreshing. Meditation can help quiet the mind, reduce stress, and enhance focus, all of which are crucial for tapping into your creative flow. By setting aside dedicated time each day to sit in meditation, you can train your mind to become more present and attuned to your creative impulses. You may discover insights for yourself which you carry onto your daily lifestyle and this is where you can start to aim towards being present to enjoy each moment you have during activities or tasks that you do.