Aaron Corte LMSW

Founder and Clinical Director

I've been working on a research study of creativity and trauma for two years, and recently had a setback with the project. Things had been very busy, both at work and in my personal life, and I found myself wondering - can I even do this?

I was stuck. I had reached new levels of growth, yet it didn't look how I'd imagined. It's like climbing a mountain and reaching a precipice, where the winds blow hard and the heights are daunting. You've come so far, but suddenly are unsure how to proceed. Going back down is just as scary as continuing the climb.

When we get stuck

When life gets halted on the precipice, our next moves suddenly become very important. Whether or not you're working on a creative project, these precipice moments always involve creativity, because they require a creative solution. Here are some common examples of other precipice moments.

• After months of good progress in therapy, both you and your therapist seem to be stuck. You're aware of the patterns to fix, but the awareness itself doesn't change things, and the earlier skills you'd learned are no longer helping.

  
  

• You've made a commitment to a person, or perhaps a job, and are feeling hemmed in by the new responsibility. Anxiously you realize that you're riding an escalator towards an uncertain future.

  
  

• Life is prompting you to make a change, such as reducing weed or alcohol use, or drawing a boundary with a toxic person. But you just don't have a clear plan or feel the strength to carry it through.

Search for creative ways forward

Situations like these require a creative approach. The old just doesn't work anymore, it's time for something new — so new in fact, that we don't even know what it is yet. At this point, we're now at the creative drawing board.

This is a key aspect of the human experience. Throughout evolution, our ancestors were able to use their creative brains to overcome unimaginable challenges and setbacks. So the good news is that we carry a lot of creative potential in our DNA.

But when we're on the precipice, we might not feel that we have this potential. How do I move forward? This becomes our question, and one, it seems, that only ourselves can answer.

Remember, the precipice occurs when we are invited to grow beyond our current capabilities. Everyone will experience this at some point in life. It's normal, it's universal. It is very important that we recognize this, so we can validate our situation instead of falling into shame.

How precipe moments can impact us

Surprised by disappointment

Ever been caught off guard after you've completed a project? When you finished making that song or painting and were met with numbness, or even worse, discouragement? To have taken all that time imagining you would get a certain result, yet it didn't come. It may bring up thoughts like "why bother?" or "I'll never be good enough."

Continue, or give up?

You've gained some accomplishment, but are now second-guessing the whole thing. Yet you already made an investment, you're committed. Worse of all, maybe your doubt isn't totally irrational and you have a really good reason why you should give up. But that would bring about consequences. So, is it worth it to give up?

Getting pulled further in

This is when you've completed something, only to realize that it's actually not complete at all. Now there's a next level to step into, and it's not what you thought it'd be. Maybe you even feel capable of continuing forward, but you just don't want to. What was supposed to make things better now feels like quicksand dragging you down.

Every precipice looks different, and there is no one answer for what to should do. But it's always an invitation to a creative solution. So let's look at some ways to get creative.

How to cultivate creativity

Creativity cannot be forced. We can only make the conditions that allow a creative solution to be born. Like planting seeds, not all of them will take root, but we plant them anyways. Then we watch to see where the blooming happens.

This is a tough for artists and creatives. Often expected to continuously create, artists can face increased risk for mental health issues (read more here).

Whether you identify as creative or not, let's look at some ways to cultivate creativity when we are feeling stuck.

Switch gears

Just get out of your current rut. Take a walk somewhere new, try out a podcast, or cook a dish you've never made before. Whatever gear you switch, make it intentional.

As a writer, I've personally found it helpful to put my computer away and start sketching (something I am horrible at!). I find the images work different parts of my brain. After switching gears, you return with a new perspective.

Talk to somebody

We have our blind spots, and they're usually obvious to others. So talk to someone you trust like a friend, or your therapist. Who knows, they may have a brilliant idea for you. Or they might just share something that helps things click.

Creativity thrives on data points, just like those creative seeds that might bloom. So the more data points you acquire, the better chance a creative solution has to be born.

Go internal

Your answer may be waiting inside of you. This is not just "self-care" time, I'm talking here about intentional seeking. Start by asking the right questions. And yes, a simple what should I do next can be a great question!

Also consider where a good place to do your seeking is. For me, it's out in nature. Go to your space, and then ask your questions. Don't expect an answer to emerge, but focus on the questioning. Then leave it out of your mind for a while, and see what comes back later.

New ways forward

Regardless of how you handle precipice moments, don't forget to manage expectations. It took a lot time to get to your precipice, so don't expect to be suddenly transported from it.

The focus should be on next steps, being guided forward in the right direction. Time is often your best resource when on the precipice. Slow down. Even just a little time will help you take stock of your situation, gain your bearings, and consider your next move.

If you are having a really tough time out on the precipice, definitely talk to your therapist. Therapy is a great way to work collaboratively and find creative solutions.

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