The worst thing I can do when I sit down to write, is to open the door for The Critic. You know the guy: he strides in, wearing a superior expression, a bad mustache, and chewing on a cigar. In tones at once bored and superior, he launches in.
 
          “What drivel.”
          “Been done a thousand times. And better.”
          “You USED to be a writer. Too bad…”
And the oldie but baddie: “Don’t you get it? You just can’t.”
 
In the sixteen years A Spacious Place has been providing creativity services, we’ve heard The Critic internalized and voiced by people we serve. Perhaps The Critic once spoke at them from an authority figure or someone they admired. Perhaps they just never got the chance to try, fail, and try again in a supportive environment. So, The Critic mouths off at them using their own voice.
 
          “I’m not creative.”
          “Been there, done that.”
          “Creating’s for kids (or not for men, like me).”
          “Waste of time—I need to be working.”
And the oldie but baddie: “I’m no good at this. I just can’t.”
 
We all can—and we need to—create. We’ve just been socialized by The Critic to believe we can’t. And that’s a tragedy, because creating, which feeds our souls, helps us reach our human potential, and connects us with our Creator, also boasts an abundance of fringe benefits. The risk-taking creating demands boosts our courage. Creating that doesn’t go to plan enhances our ability to deal with frustration, to problem solve, and to shift perspective. Creating opens our eyes to beauty and truth around us, which helps ease burnout and depression. And because, most of the time, we create to share a truth of ourselves with others, creating builds healthy community.
 
So, when The Critic strides on to our doorstep, we can silently point to the exit, press the door shut, and
 
plate an appetizing meal, or
plant a colorful garden, or
weave a basket, or
sing a song, or
embroider a pillow, or
paint a still life, or…
 
…whatever silences The Critic so we can hear the truth and beauty of our own voice.
 
How do you respond to The Critic? How do you express your creativity? We would love to hear from you. Share your Soul & Solace thoughts with us at contact@aspaciousplace.com.