Creative Constipation

Creative Constipation, is a term I like to use to descried when the flow of creativity is impaired or block altogether. It’s a broader term for writers block, which only applies to writing, but it’s like that for whatever artistic discipline you practice. Saying creative constipation often catches peoples attention, and also gives them a chuckle, but I’m being quite serious when I use the term. 


I’m a firm believer in the idea that everyone has the capacity and ability for creativity, no such thing a non-creative person. However I think lots, if not most people, walk around creatively constipated because they are not active in a creative outlet or they haven’t known one that spoke to them. 


There are plenty of people in my own personal circle that I can think of off the top of my head who this applies to, they aren’t your typical creative type so they haven’t had a consistent creative outlet. I’ve seen the negative side effects of creative constipation in my own creative journey. When I go too long without creating I become cranky, irritable, hyperactive, unable to sit still and unable enjoy still moments, my thoughts get too loud. Its sounds like a small almost non issue, however my hypothesis is that creative constipation is massive contributor to mental health and its decline in some people. 


For example, I’ve been on a longer than expected break from writing and I can feel it starting to get to me. There’s the good part of the break, where now I feel a kind of itching to get back into the story. And there’s the bad, where my normally well managed anxiety has reared its ugly head. I can feel the constipation creeping up on me, so I’m going to do something about it. Hopefully next week I’ll jump back into the book and see what I can accomplish before I set out on my trip.  


I’ll have more on this topic, hypothesis, thought, in the coming weeks. Thanks for reading, see ya next week! :)

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