Brain Venting

I've always had this nagging feeling that I'm only brushing the surface of my potential when it comes to creativity. It's the same feeling you get when you have a word on the tip of your tongue, but you can't quite think of what it is. That's how I've felt about my own creativity. It's been this constant feeling that I'm just about to do something really super creative and then my own brain sabotages me, or short circuits, or just cuts me off. I read recently that really amazing improvisation only happens when you turn off certain parts of the brain t. Jazz musicians and comedians are examples of artists that first have to learn how to turn off their inhibitions before they can start really cranking out something unique. One of the ways that comedians at Second City in LA do this is by participating in a type of group therapy, where they speak openly to each other about issues in their life that might be bothering them. By sharing these issues openly with the group, they free themselves from the mental static that often inhibits or interferes with creative energy. Plus, they learn to speak freely, openly, and honestly, without censoring their feelings. I don't have a group to sit down with before I write, but I do take some time every day before I start my creative writing to jot down, without any censorship, some of the issues that are bothering me in my life. I write for about three pages, trying not to stop, just blasting it all onto the page. When I'm done I always feel lighter and I can leave behind my day-to-day problems and focus on being creative. I've been doing this for a few months and it's really helped me. Give it a try and see if you're feeling more creative.