Finding a Creative Habit...

So I read Twyla's The Creative Habit a few years ago, when Gayle was doing her masters on creativity and it inspired me. It continues to do so every time I read it...which is about once a year. I give it out as my closure present constantly. (Closure present=present given at the end of a process you shared with someone, knowing that when this project is over, you won't see them nearly as often or ever be nearly as close. Thus said present gets to say "I appreciate you and how much you made this moment beautiful". I have given this book to all of my dance captains since 2004, for example, and to my dear one, Christine, from MFA when she graduated a year ahead of me.)

Anyway, it's all about finding/creating a routine for your body so that your mind can be open to creative thought. Create a ritual for your day that commits to the work ethic of creativity. I love this idea...and to be honest, it makes sense to me in that place where faith exists. It's more gut than thought, but nobody could talk you out of it as truth. "Without passion, all the skill in the world won't lift you about craft. Without skill, all the passion in the world will leave you eager but floundering." Doesn't that make perfect sense?

I've made my creative space (step 1) and I love it and it works! When I need to write cover letters, essays, research the topic more and find new ideas to incorporate into the already obfuscated play of Virgin Territory. But when I am writing the scenes and trying to find the ending, the anxiety attacks hit...even in my creative space, which is really quite a lovely place to be. I've established my other ritual as well: get up at 8am, grab my sassy water (water with cukes and lemon), light my candles, put on my purple slippers, journal for gratitude and start working by 9am at my desk. And still the anxiety...

I've never been at a loss to make my creative habit work before. What gives?

I think this week with everyone away all week will be good for me. I also return to yoga after a week off...that should help too. Deciding that this is going to get better will probably help the most though...