I realised recently that all the best things I do are on impulse. My best writing, my best travelling, my most rewarding connections with other beings, all come from that rush of energy, that pure in-the-moment realisation that if I don’t grab it now it will be gone for ever. If I say no to the impulse instead of yes, I am doomed to spend months, even years trying to fashion a resemblance of the pure spontaneous energy that was once offered to me.
The trouble with impulsive is that it’s traditionally seen as unruly, unbridled, out of control. We are taught in kindergarten that lining up in two straight lines, sitting up straight with hands in laps and being quiet and repectful are more important than splashing colour, movement and music around the place. And yet I observe my five year old granddaughter and friends learning far more in the playground in their wild, spontaneous, after school play than they do in all their highly regimented class times. Creating complex scenarios out of thin air, assigning each other roles, working co-operatively and creatively, problem solving at such a rapid pace, any corporate head would surely want the likes of them in their firm.
My thrill in all this, is recognising that despite the surprising level of regimentation in modern education (I thought we would have moved on by now), sponteneity and creative impulse is still accessible to them. After all they are kids.
And so it is to us.
Even if you have lived a very controlled, planned and ordered life, there is no reason you can’t access creative impulse on a daily basis. So when an idea pops into your mind, jot it down. When you see something that strikes you as strange or wonderful, describe it, capture it in words or imagery. Live your life in the service of impulse. Be ready, prepared for it, have note books and sketchpads planted all over the place. Take yourself on train or bus journeys to parts of town you have never visited before. Accept invitations to parties or events you wouldn’t normally attend. Instead of feeling self conscious and awkward, prime yourself to be open to the unexpected and magical.
Kraynor, an artist and creative coach says:
Know this: your unique artistry enriches. We are awakened, enlivened, consoled and fed by the creative impulse given expression. Artistry is a revelation of something deep within that is often ignored or downright dismissed by people who nevertheless hunger, without even realizing it, for what the artist offers.
Read more from Kraynor here.
So when you give up on the creative journal you got for Xmas, don’t despair. You don’t have to do what someone else suggests you do on a daily basis, all you need do is make yourself open to receiving the impulse. Sitting in silence, walking in nature, observing colour, texture, smell, taste, movement, all around you. Just simply observe until you feel the impulse to write or sketch and keep the pen or pencil moving until you feel the impulse to stop.
It’s that easy.
Heading out next
Moroccan Caravan, March 1-15, 2020. Fully booked.
Moroccan Residency, March 17 – 24, still room but hurry!
Sensing Italy, May 23 – 30, still room!
Haiku Walking In Japan. November 21 – 26, 2020, booking now!
