what creative season are you in? (it's all a cycle ♻)

Hi Reader, 

Happy belated summer (or winter, if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere) solstice to you!

I always strive to do some kind of ritual at these seasonal shifts, but sometimes life gets in the way, and we have to do something small instead.

Most of my solstice celebration this year ended up being just appreciating the light, wishing other people a happy Solstice, and also reflecting on my California anniversary - we moved here on June 22, 2019.

I’ve been tired lately (annoyingly, I keep waking up with the sun, even when I don’t have to get up that early), and often not wanting to lean into the typical summer signals. 

Luckily, I live in the Bay Area where “June Gloom” is a thing, and autumn is hotter than summer - it still feels a little strange to me after 4 years here, but I’m not mad about it. Blankets and cat cuddles are nicer when it’s not too hot.

That got me thinking...

What if your internal season doesn’t match the external one?

The energy associations with summer - the fire element, more light, abundance, growth - are related to outward-facing energy might not match how you’re feeling lately. There are also plenty of different aspects to our lives (work, relationships, health, creativity, etc.), and different ones may be in different phases at the same time, which might be confusing!

As I talked about in Being A Whole Person Season 3 Episode 18: Feeding Your Creativity in the Winter Season, we can think of creativity and our creative projects as having a seasonal cycle.

They’re like trees and plants, which don't grow actively or produce blooms all year long - they need periods of dormancy to store up energy for the next phase, and creative projects (administered by us, living creatures!) are the same way.

(I’m going to speak about the seasons in a Northern Hemisphere-centric way here, but feel free to substitute the opposite season if need be.)

🌱 Spring is the tangible beginning of a project. It represents forming the idea, planting your seeds, getting your project started. It might involve some gathering of resources, researching and learning.

🌳 Summer is growing, working on the project, possibly the messy middle phase, learning from your process, and continuing onward.

🍁 Autumn is harvesting, completing your project, and then enjoying the fruits of your labor, including being proud of yourself and the work you’ve done.

❄️ Winter is dormancy, cocooning, nourishing, and restoring - possibly not actively working on anything, but just gathering inspiration.

Any of these things can happen at any time of year, of course, and your creative season might not correspond with the literal temporal season. You may even have multiple projects you’re juggling that are in different seasons simultaneously.

Sometimes I have negative feelings about being in a winter (creatively or otherwise), too, thinking, “I should have more energy than this.” When that happens, I like to remind my impatient self that I don’t have full control of the energy cycle, but I can listen to my body when it needs replenishment.

I also remember many post-vacation or post-break bursts of new idea energy and inspiration. My brain likes having the evidence that it’s happened before, and thus it can and will happen again!

If you feel like you’re in a seasonal mismatch, remember that it’s all a cycle. 

The season you’re wishing for will come around, but it just might take some more winter rest to get there.

The cause and effect isn’t always so direct, and we shouldn’t be expect it to be - rest is our right, regardless - but often what looks like just inaction is actually seeds germinating deep under the surface.

I hope all of this has given you some solace and affirmation to trust the season that you’re in right now, even if you’re feeling uncomfortable or impatient with it, and remember that if you need assistance, I’d love to help you figure out the next step!

🌟 I have few spots available for new creative coaching clients this summer. You can always hit reply with questions, or book a discovery call here to chat about whether it's a good fit!

Are you feeling like the season that you're in currently? Do you have projects in different phases at the same time?

I'm always rooting for you, and my inbox is always open, so please feel free to reach out if I can help in any way. 

I always love hearing from you!

Have a lovely week! ⁠

Rebecca

I've listened to many inspiring podcast episodes lately, here are a few:

• What Happens When A.I. Enters the Concert Hall? (NYTimes gift link) - Frightening, fascinating, or some of both?!

• How to Get Out of That Creative Rut You're In - Some tips for when you're feeling stuck in a creative winter.

• A Studio Uniform - I'm intrigued by the idea of having a uniform for creative work, either for ritual or to cut down on the mental load of decision-making.

• Ep. 72: Coda: Reflections, Endings, and Beginnings

Join us in Compassionate Creativity Coworking Club 

(Your first session is free to try!)

Book a free discovery call to learn more about coaching and get a mini-session

Coaching Offerings:

• Rise Above the Overwhelm: laser-focused 1-time sessions

• Creative Season (3 months)