Create > Consume
Coping with Challenges? Choose to CREATE!
Judgemental Jess
As a kid, I had a family member (who unfortunately has since passed on) who used to smoke on the back patio at family gatherings while we played, and I remember being super judgmental. We were a religious family and had learned in church that smoking was bad, so I was shocked whenever I saw them smoking.
The Tables Turned
A few years ago, I was going through an incredibly painful pregnancy, and I was sitting on our back patio scrolling on my phone as the kids played. I had the picture come into my mind of this family member smoking, and I thought to myself, “I’m doing the same thing.” I had been mindlessly scrolling, trying to numb the mental and emotional struggle of dealing with the pain of my pregnancy.
That experience helped me feel so much more compassion for my family member, who had faced some extremely challenging health issues. It also made me more aware of how I could be more intentional with how I choose to deal with difficult challenges: to make sure that my choices for coping would help, and not harm, myself and others.
Choosing to Create
We all have pains and struggles in this life, and there comes a time when we have to make a choice about how we respond to them: is our go-to coping mechanism going to be consuming, or creating? If you choose to create, you will be able to process the emotions of the experience and turn them into something joyful, and also find deeper ways to connect with those you love, instead of just sitting by and watching from the sidelines.
Just Do It!
You don't have to be a super creative person to create SOMETHING, anything:
You could create small things, a Spotify playlist, a new recipe, a home decor item, a spreadsheet to organize your goals, a trip itinerary, or a greeting card.
Or bigger things, like writing that book you've been dreaming of, taking that art class, or working on music. Whatever your favorite flavor of creation is: take time to DO IT! Even if no one else around you understands why you care about doing that thing.
Creativity is personal, and YOU need to be the one to validate the things that bring you joy.
Why It's Hard
The path of creation can feel especially challenging because it often requires you to face and FEEL the negative emotions you might have been avoiding. As you work to create something real and to express something close to your heart, you may become more aware of the pain (which hopefully can help you find ways to process it or solve whatever is causing it.)
It can be scary to face the rejection, grief, disappointment, shame, hurt, betrayal, pain and heartbreak that might be lurking under the surface of your subconscious. Chances are, though, you have already faced and felt a lot of hard things in your life. You are strong enough to keep showing up, and you are brave enough to feel those hard things.
The Danger of Consumption
Are there times when it is acceptable to numb your pain? YES! There definitely are times, but when it becomes a habit, then it can quickly turn into an addiction.
You might realize how easy it is to avoid your pain and suffering, and you start thinking you can play that game forever, if you just have something strong enough to keep your mind off of it. The substance (physical or digital) does not matter as much as HOW you are using it.
You could be totally addicted to cat videos on YouTube and it would have a similar effect: you would be trapped in a sad loop where you are not living up to your full potential.
The World Needs Your Creative Light
The world needs you to become who you were born to become, and to help those who need you and your light the most. The next time you are faced with a tough challenge, ask yourself, "Am I avoiding this challenge by consuming? Or am I coping with this challenge by creating?"
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