Embracing Creative Struggles: A New Perspective

Have you ever felt like you're just completely stuck creatively?

Like you're the only one struggling to even get started on a project?

I have.

It feels like staring at that blinking cursor on an empty page.

And it makes you wonder, maybe I'm not cut out for this. If I were actually creative, wouldn't it be easier? Well, get ready for a totally different take on those creative struggles.

Stop right there.

That thought? It's the biggest creativity myth there is.

Here's the truth: The struggle isn't the enemy of creativity. It is creativity.

Honestly, this could change how you view your own creative process.

What we need to do is flip the script. I would argue that those bumps in the road, the self-doubt, the creative blocks, aren't actually the enemies of creativity, but the path itself.

Think about that. The actual path is our roadblocks.

It's as if we have this compass that points to the most interesting and innovative ideas, but we're too busy thinking it means we're doing something wrong to see its value.

We're almost afraid of those signs.

We're taught to chase after this myth of effortless creativity, like real creatives just effortlessly produce these masterpieces. And let's actually break down harmful myths about creativity that we all kind of buy into.

I'm hoping for it to be eye-opening, to say the least.

And it's not even just about feeling like we're not good enough. These myths set up these totally unrealistic expectations that really mess with us mentally. Like, imagine constantly comparing yourself to those picture-perfect creative wins you see online.

No wonder we end up feeling burned out and discouraged.

So instead of trying to force this effortless creativity thing, we should actually embrace the struggle.

We're often told that creativity is the straight shot to the finish line, but really, it's more like a winding road, full of detours and switchbacks. With some potholes along the way.

And those detours, those struggles, those are features, not bugs.

The Thrill of Creative Challenges

Picture yourself just floating down a calm river.

Peaceful, relaxing.

But not a very thrilling ride. It's the rapids, those moments of uncertainty and challenge that make whitewater rafting exciting.

Are you starting to see where I'm going with this? Instead of being afraid of those rapids, we should be paddling right for them.

It's all about shifting our mindset.

But how do we actually do that? How do we go from dreading the struggle to seeing it as a good thing?

If we believe that struggling just means we're doing something wrong, we'll do everything we can to avoid it, right? We experience a mix-up, and we start to play it safe. We stick to what we know, but then we end up limiting our creativity. But if we can shift our thinking. And start to see those struggles as opportunities for growth, that changes everything.

Those moments often come after you've been wrestling with a problem for a while.

The Power of Creative Struggles

I remember a novelist who was totally blocked on her book. She just couldn't figure out what to write next. The worst feeling, right?

But it turned out her struggle was mirroring this internal conflict her main character was going through.

I mean, like, wow!

And once she realized that, the story just kind of flowed out of her. Her writer's block actually held the key to unlocking the heart of her novel.

It's almost as if those struggles were trying to tell her something all along, pushing her towards a more powerful story.

And this isn't just for writers, either. In 2017 there was a tech startup that was trying to develop this groundbreaking app. They were under so much pressure, but every idea felt just flat.

Can you imagine that?

So finally, the team leader did something kind of radical. She asked everyone to share their biggest fear about the project.

That sounds terrifying. Honestly, I can't imagine how vulnerable that must have felt.

And yet, that vulnerability was the key. Because as they started opening up about their fears and frustrations, new ideas started to come out. Like, the designer was afraid of creating something mediocre. And that sparked this whole conversation about making bold choices with the app's look. And then the programmer was struggling with the technical side of things, and that led to a completely new way of building the app structure.

So they found the solution by talking about their challenges.

Their struggles, once they were brought out into the open, became the catalyst for this wave of innovation that they never would have reached otherwise.

Are you not convinced we need to embrace the struggle, not run from it?

But what does that actually look like in our everyday creative lives? How do we actually make that shift?

A Practical Tool: The Struggle Journal

I would like to suggest a practical tool. A struggle journal.

Now, before you get on me for telling you to go buy another journal, hear me out.

Why is this one so special?

It's not really about the journal itself. It's more about creating a space where you can really acknowledge and dig into those creative struggles, instead of just trying to ignore them. And it's not about dwelling on the negative, but about getting curious about what those struggles might be trying to show you.

So instead of just writing "Oh, writer's block again," I would be writing something like, "Okay, what exactly feels blocked right now? Is it the concept for the video? Or maybe it's me and my mindset that's the problem."

Getting specific can really help you unlock new solutions. Here are some prompts you can use if you're feeling extra stuck. Like, what's the absolute most frustrating part of this project right now? Or what feedback am I getting that I'm having a hard time processing?

It's almost as if those struggles are leaving little breadcrumbs, and if we follow them, they might lead us somewhere totally new and exciting.

Beyond Individual Creativity: A Broader Perspective

It really shows how those tough moments can actually be opportunities to learn and grow. And you know, this goes beyond just individual creatives too. This idea of embracing struggle can apply to businesses and even society as a whole.

So instead of everyone pretending they have it all figured out, we should be more honest about our struggles and support each other through them.

And I want to connect this with some other interesting concepts. Have you heard of Carol Dweck's growth mindset? It's about seeing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.

Think about when you were learning to ride a bike as a kid. You fell a bunch of times, but each fall you learned something new and got back on. Having a growth mindset means approaching our creative work with that same attitude.

Also consider the idea of anti-fragility. It's a term coined by Nassim Taleb. It sounds kind of complicated, but it's actually pretty simple. Think about it this way: a fragile object breaks under pressure, right?

A robust object can withstand pressure, but an anti-fragile object actually becomes stronger because of pressure.

And that's what we want in our creative work, to build that resilience that lets us not just survive challenges, but to actually thrive because of them. So instead of trying to create in a bubble, we should be looking for different perspectives, inviting feedback, even if it makes us uncomfortable.

Because that friction, that's often where the best ideas come from.

Embracing Discomfort: A Sign of Innovation

We're taught to avoid those uncomfortable feelings when they might actually be a sign that we're onto something really innovative and different.

I want to leave you with a thought-provoking question.

What's one creative struggle you're facing right now that you've been trying to avoid?

What might change if you chose to embrace it instead?

That's a powerful question for all of us to consider. This wraps up this deep dive into the unexpected power of creative struggles. Hopefully you found it as insightful and encouraging as we did.

Remember: The struggle doesn't mean you're failing.

It means you're in the process of creating something incredible.

So go. Create. Struggle.

And watch what amazing things emerge. Do MORE of that.