Kathleen Gardenswartz
Over
two decades ago, I scraped together every penny I had saved and moved
cross-country to fulfill a dream in New York. In truth, as with most
journeys, the actual fulfillment of my goal paled in comparison to
being taught the beauty of difference, exposure to a community of
astonishing talent and having salient moments of creative flow that
changed me for good. Looking back, I can see its impact and
thread bound to everything I have done since and will ultimately lead
me toward my next life challenge.
We
live life so intensely these days. As a mother of two, my mind is
frequently required to attack a multitude of tasks that ebb and flow
throughout the day. It can have a dizzying affect on the psyche over
time. I have always known that this distracted state is not conducive
to cultivating my creative thought or for being truly effective. It
has been the moments of flow, those concentrated stretches of deep
focus, that have brought creative accomplishment and joy to my work
and life.
Most
studies suggest that all the multi-tasking we take on actually makes
us significantly less effective than taking time to concentrate on a
single task, uninterrupted, for a set length of time. The
mythological time juggler is not real but we continue under the
belief that we can master multi-tasking. The result is juggled
schedules, divided attention, brief and frequent interruptions and
regular bombardments that all take a substantial toll on our creative
life.
I
have learned over the years that for me, creativity requires a clear
head, solitude and silence. That is a considerable challenge, carving
out a sizable chunk of time to be alone with my thoughts to pursue
creative flow. Add to it the impossibility of achieving this state
when you are anxious or stressed, because it requires wholehearted
clarity and immersion in an activity.
My
time at Parson’s School of Design was filled with moments of that
elusive flow. I had time for deep focus, uninterrupted stretches to
be totally immersed and involved in the creative task at hand. This
is when my creative voice speaks; the clouds part and I feel capable,
persistent and most curious. Each action I take flows together, my
performance elevates as time evaporates into a relaxed and completely
engaged state.
Letting
go and being engaged in creative work is most rewarding for me.
Whether I am writing, doing an art project or working out, the serene
experience of being fully engaged in the moment generates joy and
happiness.
We
each have a unique set of skills that require a specific environment
and set of challenges that let us push creative boundaries and allow
for powerful experiences. We all want those fully-engaged moments
that give way to a heightened sense of creativity and deliver a shot
of happiness and joy.
Join
me in my next challenge by allowing yourself time to ponder,
cultivate independent thought and revel in the intrinsic feeling of
accomplishment it will bring to your life. Listen to your creative
voice, it is calling out to you, challenging you to achieve more than
a weighed down calendar and frayed mind.
It’s
your responsibility to nurture your life so make room for flow and
enjoy the leaps of creativity it brings to your life.
