Driving home after doing the morning shuffle and then preschool drop-off, I was listening to Rick Rubin’s newish book on Audible. In recent weeks this audio book has become my thirty-minute motivational booster between getting things done. The commute back home is one of the few free moments I get to check in with myself, unless I am outright diligent about making the intention and setting aside the time, which I admit, can be pretty tricky at times as someone who is often balancing my remote work responsibilities with family obligations. Thinking about how I am going to approach each day has become a very important and necessary exercise that allows me some thoughtful reflection, while also getting me amped up to tackle the work that feels never-ending.
A Mindfulness Practice for the Many Hats We Wear
In the Creative Act: A Way of Being, Rubin talks about “clearing” space for creativity and productivity. What he does not mean by “clearing” is that you must have a physical space free of distractions and disorder in order to be generative. As a mom of a busy toddler and someone who has embraced “the freedom” of working from home, I know that such a space is not only near impossible to find (or achieve), but it also puts inequitable and unreasonable expectations and stress onto the person who spends the majority of their time in that space.
“Depleted mom syndrome” and sensory overload are not just trendy talk in IG stories, they are very real things in the lives of dynamic women, affecting our ability to commit to and follow through with our aspirations beyond our responsibilities. Putting others before myself and focusing on the chaos around me not only becomes all-consuming, often pulling me away from the tasks at hand. What I need to find is a mindfulness practice that seamlessly honors what brings me joy, while wearing the many hats that I wear.
Don’t Wait. Create!
The thing about creativity and productivity is that for as quickly as inspiration and motivation can appear to propel you forward, they can just as quickly fizzle out when you are waiting for the conditions around you to improve to dig into that personal project or goal.
An excuse and reason can be found around every corner for not doing something, from small distractions like pet peeves to larger detractors. How often do we find ourselves blaming something or someone else for why we aren’t producing, creating, or doing “That Thing”? However, according to creativity guru Rubin, clearing is much more about one’s awareness and what a person habitually internalizes, than it is about outside forces.
In the realm of transformative experiences and mindfulness practice, clearing holds significant importance. When we talk about clearing in meditation, we’re referring to the process of letting go of mental clutter, emotional baggage, and patterns that inhibit our ability to access our deepest potential. Just as a cluttered room impedes our ability to move freely, cluttered minds hinder our ability to tap into our creative and ambitious wellsprings. Just imagine what you could accomplish if you were to approach travel or other goals with a similar mindset, imagine the opportunities and experiences you could pursue with a clearer and defined sense of purpose.
Though the initial Create Joy process requires a deep dive into what motivates you, your patterns, values and beliefs adopting a mindfulness practice that opens up space and awareness can complement any journey of self-discovery, growth and learning in ways that similarly encourage the integration of intentionality and holistic wellness into your toolbox.
Holding Space for Your Dynamic Inner Landscape
Imagine your mind as a canvas, and each thought, emotion, and experience leaves a mark upon it. Over time, these marks accumulate, creating layers upon layers of mental noise that obscure the clarity of our inner vision. Through meditative practices, we can engage in a process of clearing away these layers, gently sweeping them aside to reveal what is truly driving us toward “That Thing” we wish to attain. This also allows us to become more thoughtful about our daily approach, more mindful of what we choose to engage in and how it will impact us, the people in our lives, and our day-to-day.
Mindfulness invites us to observe our thoughts and emotions without judgment, allowing them to arise and pass away like clouds “clearing around a mountain”. By cultivating this non-reactive awareness, we develop the capacity to witness the ebb and flow of our inner landscape without getting entangled in its dramas.
Another aspect of clearing involves releasing tension and stress from the body. Tension acts as a barrier to creativity, constricting our energy flow and stifling our creative impulses. Through practices such as body scan meditations, deep breathing exercises, and gentle movement, we can relax the body-mind system, creating a spaciousness within which we can flourish. Caroline Meliones has been sharing such practices in our Create Joy Community, which were created to easily fit into your daily ebb and flow.
How to Make Room for a Regular Mindfulness Practice
A “clearing” practice can take on many forms, what is important is that you can fit it into your day without added stress. Here are a few ways you can integrate “clearing” into your routine, as you navigate the busyness of life with grace and presence,
Mindful Breathing: Take short breaks throughout the day to engage in mindful breathing exercises. Even just a few minutes of deep, conscious breathing can help restore a sense of calm amidst chaos.
Mini-Meditations: Find moments throughout the day to engage in mini-meditations, even if it’s just for a couple of minutes at a time. Close your eyes, focus on your breath, and allow yourself to be fully present in the moment. These brief pauses can provide a reset button for your mind and help mitigate accumulated stress and tension.
Mindful Movement: Incorporating mindful movement can help to release physical tension and promote mental clarity, allowing you to approach your tasks with renewed focus and creativity.
Digital Detox: Take regular breaks from screens and technology to give your mind a chance to rest and recharge. Set boundaries around your use of electronic devices and create designated “screen-free” zones or times during the day when you can disconnect and engage in activities that nourish your soul, such as reading, spending time in nature, or simply being present with loved ones.
Mindful Eating: Practice mindful eating by savoring each bite of your meals and paying attention to the sensations of taste, texture, and aroma. Eating mindfully can help to clear away mental distractions and cultivate a deeper connection with your body’s needs, leading to greater clarity and energy throughout the day.
Gratitude Practice: Take a moment each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for, even amidst the busyness of your schedule. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can help to shift your perspective and clear away negative thoughts and emotions, allowing you to approach challenges with a more positive and open mindset.
Self-Compassion: Be gentle with yourself and practice self-compassion, especially during busy and stressful times. Remember that it’s okay to take breaks, ask for help when needed, and prioritize self-care. By nurturing yourself with kindness and compassion, you create space for inner clearing and cultivate a greater sense of well-being and resilience.
Sowing the Seeds of Creativity
The aim of a clearing practice is to create a fertile ground for inspiration, motivation, and healthy habits to take root. In this state of inner clarity and receptivity, we become attuned to the inspiration that arises from the depths of our being. It is a state where ideas can flow freely, insights emerge effortlessly, and our creative expression can become a natural extension of our authentic selves. In this space we are enabled to connect to our intuition, our needs, and desires. We may choose which seeds need our attention and nurturing, while it may be necessary to let others go.
In essence, clearing can be a journey of self-discovery and awakening that comes at the “right time”, which is the only time, which is now. Peel away those layers of conditioning and uncover who you truly are with this mindfulness practice. I invite you to invite this practice into your day to liberate your mind, body, and spirit from perceived limitations, and to unleash the boundless creativity that resides within you. And, when you are ready to take the next step toward setting bigger goals and intentions, Create Joy is here when you are ready.