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You most likely have felt this before: the intoxicating feeling of a new idea, the sudden rush of energy to create something, and then being completely immersed in a project for hours and days… Maybe it’s been a while you felt this way, and maybe it actually feels like the opposite right now. You may not feel inspired, you may struggle to get started or complete your projects… It may feel quite challenging to find your flow state.

I want to share with you how I personally see the step-by-step process of art-making so you can investigate where you tend to get stuck. It will become much easier to find the right solution, once you understand which step creates most resistance for you. That being said, I would encourage you to ask yourself what your own creative process looks like. Get curious: what are your own steps?

The 7 steps in any creative process

1. Inspiration (crown chakra)

That’s when our creative mind gets ignited with a new idea, a new concept, a question that we want to explore or answer through a project… Everything is possible, we feel hopeful, creative, inspired… Often that idea is still quite shapeless: it’s a feeling, a sound, an image, a word or a sentence… It’s that initial spark that pulls us towards the creative process. It’s like a springboard. We’re being inspired by something, and we’re being inspired to create something.

At this stage, it’s being receptive to what resonates with your spirit and follow where it gets pulled.. For that reason, it makes sense to associate it with the crown chakra. If you think about the word inspiration, it’s literally being breathed into you. I personally like seeing it this way, because it helps me detach myself from the art I create and I don’t feel my inner critic as present. I’m receiving the creative idea from the universe/spirit, and I’m simply channeling it. My role as an artist is to bring it to the physical plane. You might not resonate with this (I don’t always do), but it can be helpful at times to avoid judging an idea or overthinking it.

Do you struggle with inspiration? I would encourage you to reflect on your sense of connection: to the divine, the Universe, God, nature or your own spirit. Do you need to unplug from the external noise, and cultivate a deeper connection with your spirit, your nature, and your spirituality? Do you need to surround yourself with things that speak to your spirit and feel joyful for you? Are you currently surrounded by things or people or beliefs that shrink you instead of helping you expand?

2. Incubation (third eye chakra)

This is the moment when we choose to let that first spark of inspiration breathe a little bit: we let our creative mind digest it and wait to receive a clearer direction. However, there’s a difference between letting an idea marinate and procrastinating on it. This step requires a lot of trust, both in the creative process and in our own inner guidance (third eye).

Do you struggle with clarity? Allow yourself space to let the idea take shape. Don’t force it. Get curious and see what happens. Look at it from another angle, get perspective.

3. Conceptualization (throat chakra)

This is when the initial shape becomes more detailed: it becomes a clear idea or concept. Often, it’s motivated by something we want to say, the message we want to share with the world.

Do you struggle with infusing your unique touch? Go back to your values and your vision. Get curious about what’s important for you and reconnect with the message you want to convey through your art. It might give you some important clues.

4. Connection (heart chakra)

This is the step between imagining our idea and manifesting it into reality: a moment to sit in stillness, reconnect with ourselves, practice self-compassion and set boundaries for the rest of the creative process. It can also be a great time to brainstorm with other creative minds and collaborate with people.

Do you struggle with getting started? Ask yourself: What is the *very first* step? Where can I find answers to some of my questions? Can I ask for support? What kind of feedback am I available for? What kind of feedback will I gently discard?

5. Creation (solar plexus chakra)

Now, we’re being asked to ground the idea from our mind to the physical plane. We were inspired by something and let it marinate, it took a clearer shape, we took a moment to connect and set boundaries… It’s time to make it happen. The idea is asking to move and be manifested. It’s all about grounding into our inner fire and personal power, and take action.

Do you struggle with completing your projects? I would encourage you to consider two things: setting an ideal and final deadline to finalize the project, and clarify what “finalized” means. It does not mean perfect, that’s for sure. How will you know it’s finished?

6. contribution (sacral chakra)

That’s the actual birth of your project: it’s time to let it flow out of you. It’s also time to share. That’s why I call it “contribution”: it’s by putting it out into the world that you can truly contribute to your community or to making a change in a cause you believe in. You’re helping the world around you more actively through your art— may it be by sharing beauty, providing a sense of peace, raising awareness around something, or offer some pure joy.

Do you feel afraid to share and let your art (or you as the artist) be seen? Dear creative mind, you don’t have to rush yourself if right now it feels too vulnerable. Start gently and slowly: open a separate Instagram account or private podcast, share with a trusted friend or a coach, remove the comments section on your posts… Take a tiny step in that direction. Remember: your art is needed.

7. Restoration (root chakra)

This step is about allowing ourselves to pause, rest, ground and find back our stability. The creative process is messy: it requires a lot of us and it’s vulnerable. It can feel heavy just as much as it can bring so much joy. We need this period to reflect, assess, restore and replenish. To find our footing before we begin again. This step can also be about “worth”: charging for your art and being compensated for your creative work.

This is how I personally see the creative process:

Inspiration
Incubation
Conceptualization
Collaboration
Creation
Contribution
Restoration

I’d love to know what yours looks like? And what step feels more challenging for you?

PS. I want to remind you that this process is not linear… it’s a cycle, and it comes with its highs and lows, with joy and frustration. And there’s room for all of it.