Yes – I believe there are two Creativity Guidelines at the heart and core of the matter. 

I’ve been suggesting them in Art and Soul groups for about twenty years. Every now and then I look to the sky thoughtfully, pondering their validity. Do they still resonate? Do they help? I find they stand the test of (such thorough, scientific) scrutiny.

And here they are….drumroll….

1. Breathe

2. Be kind to yourself

That’s it. The good news is that breathing and being kind to yourself are simple. The not-so-good news is that they are difficult. Believe me. Like a lot of Art and Soul suggestions, these pointers arise from my own bitter, breathless, breathstopping, breathfull, self-savage, self-snippety, self-compassionate experience.

Try them. While writing, arting, gardening, mosaic-ing, singing, creatively relating, see if you can become conscious of your breath. For one split second.

And on top of that, see if you can notice your negative self-talk and respond with a bit of caring self-talk. Try speaking with your creative self as if she/he is a child learning to walk, or your best friend. In other words, kindly. 

Abundant creativity can flow from this practice. Or at least a smidge more openness, presence and release might occur.

Please share your experience. Do breathing and self-kindness assist your creative living?