Creativity : Inside the Process, Part 2
Inside the process -
Part 2
Living the process.
The Process as Mirror – Creativity and Life
There’s an old adage: “Life imitates art.” This phrase holds true in many ways. The creative process is not static—it is dynamic and alive. It shapes how challenges are approached, how relationships are engaged, and how growth unfolds. Insights gained through creative work often resonate far beyond the studio. Similarly, life experiences inevitably influence what is brought into the creative space. In this way, creativity becomes a microcosm of life itself.
One of the earliest lessons the creative process offers is how to recognize and honor the stage of resistance. Resistance is often misunderstood. In many cultural narratives, it’s something to be avoided, pushed through, or overcome. Yet resistance can be a sign of internal preparation—a tension signaling that something important is on the verge of surfacing. It marks a transitional threshold, shaping everything that comes next.
When resistance is bypassed and the motions of beginning are simply acted out without presence, something feels off. The work may become disjointed or strained. It becomes difficult to sustain energy, remain connected to the essence of what’s unfolding, or access creative flow. The result often lacks vitality and coherence.
And this isn’t just true in creative work—it’s true in life.
A similar parallel appears in what might be called messiness. This will be explored more deeply in a future post, but it’s worth noting here: messiness often manifests as psychological or emotional chaos—the moment when all the carefully balanced parts of life seem to fall apart.
In caregiving, parenting, or any high-responsibility role, this phase is familiar. There may be a period of holding everything together—managing details, caring for others, meeting deadlines, and tending to relationships. Then, something seemingly small—a forgotten item or a missed step—can cause everything to unravel.
These surface-level disruptions often mirror deeper experiences: the collapse of a self-image, the weight of invisible labor, or the breaking point after long periods of holding tension. And yet, within the mess, there’s often a surprising gift: freedom. Freedom from perfectionism, from unrealistic expectations, from shame. Freedom to be imperfect, to slow down, to release control. Because when everything is already in disarray, there’s nothing left to protect—and in that, there can be space to simply be.
Embracing the Process of Life
Whether in creative practice or in everyday life, rushing, overriding, or judging a current phase interrupts its wisdom. But by remaining fully in each moment—without shame, urgency, or bypassing—a natural progression can emerge. The next step becomes visible not through force, but through presence. And it is in this presence, both joyful and painful, that life is fully lived.
Does this mean there is no need for support or forward movement? Not at all.
Rather, it invites an approach of honesty—meeting the moment as it is, asking for help when needed, and remaining grounded. The process itself often becomes the guide, especially when approached with openness and integrity.
Years of practicing this orientation reveal a pattern: when there is willingness to be where one truly is—not more or less than reality allows—the experience can lead back to a sense of groundedness. From that grounded place, strength, intuition, creativity, and agency can return.
Because the truth of being human is this: everything is in motion. Nothing remains fixed. Life is, always, a process.
Reflection
Every individual carries a unique rhythm, shaped by temperament, history, and experience. The more attention is paid to that inner rhythm, the more clearly it becomes possible to distinguish what is temporary from what is lasting. Sometimes, simply naming the phase that is unfolding is enough to open the door to insight or movement.
Where in the process might this moment fall?
Is something new beginning?
Is there resistance to a change?
Is a mess unfolding?
Does something feel stuck—or almost complete?
Take a moment to notice. What’s present right now? Naming it can be a powerful act.
The next piece in this series will explore the 11 phases of a creative rhythm—unfiltered, imperfect, and deeply human.
