How To Stop Using Pain as Your Creative Crutch
If you’ve ever felt stuck, like your creative process is caught in a loop, or weighed down by the same struggles and doubts, you’re not alone. Many artists face these challenges. But what if we could see these “troubles” not as barriers, but as doorways to deeper transformation and even more powerful works of art?
Let’s look at how this works in real life.
Let me introduce you to one of my past clients, let’s call her Emma. Emma is a talented painter who has always drawn inspiration from her struggles, particularly a traumatic breakup that happened years ago. Her most powerful works emerged from this pain, and for a long time, she’s felt like she needs to revisit that dark period in her life to create anything meaningful. Lately, though, she’s finding it harder to paint. It’s as if her usual source of inspiration has run dry, and she feels stuck, doubting her worth as an artist. This is where the Four Levels of Transformation come in.
1. Story:
Emma’s struggles start with the story she’s been telling herself: “I can only create when I’m in pain.” This narrative has shaped her entire approach to art, leading her to rely on her trauma as her primary creative fuel. Together, we start by exploring this story. We ask questions like, “What if this story isn’t true?” and “How has this belief limited your growth?” As Emma begins to see this narrative for what it is—a self-imposed limitation—she can start to release it. This doesn’t mean forgetting or denying her past; it means finding new ways to express it that don’t keep her stuck in the same emotional place.
2. Identity:
As we dig deeper, we look at how this story has shaped Emma’s identity. She has come to see herself as the “tortured artist,” someone whose value as a creator is tied to her suffering. This identity affects how she thinks, behaves, and approaches her work—often leading to self-sabotage, procrastination, or even a fear of healing because she’s worried that if she lets go of the pain, she’ll lose her creative spark. By working together, we help Emma expand her sense of self. We explore questions like, “Who are you beyond the artist who creates from pain?” and “What would it be like to create from a place of joy, curiosity, or even calm?” This shift in identity allows Emma to see herself not just as a “tortured artist,” but as a whole person with a full range of experiences to draw from.
3. Inner Knowing:
Next, we guide Emma to connect with her inner knowing—the part of her that exists beyond labels and stories. This is where she taps into a deeper well of inspiration, one that’s not reliant on turmoil or past trauma. We might use practices like meditative painting, where Emma allows herself to create without a specific intention or outcome in mind. Through this process, she learns to trust her intuition and find inspiration in unexpected places. This level helps her connect with a source of creativity that feels authentic and sustainable, leading to a sense of inner calm that supports her artistic growth.
4. Deep Knowing:
Finally, we explore what it means for Emma to see herself and her art as part of a larger whole. We ask questions like, “How does your work fit into the greater tapestry of life?” and “What are you expressing that goes beyond just your personal experience?” This stage helps Emma connect with a sense of purpose that’s not just about expressing her own story, but about contributing something meaningful to the world. Her art becomes a spiritual practice, a way to connect with the collective human experience. She realises that her creativity can be a bridge between herself and others, between her inner world and the larger cosmos.
Seeing All “Troubles and Struggles” As Opportunities
When viewed through the Four Levels of Transformation, all of our creative struggles and doubts can be seen as opportunities for growth:
– Creative Block: Is it really a lack of inspiration, or is it a sign that you need to revisit the stories you’re telling yourself? Perhaps it’s time to let go of an identity that no longer serves you.
– Fear of Failure: Could this fear be connected to a story about your worth as an artist? What would change if you redefined your identity to include the possibility of growth and learning, rather than just success?
– Feeling Uninspired: Maybe it’s not that you lack inspiration, but that you’re disconnected from your inner knowing. What practices could help you reconnect with your deeper self and find new sources of creative energy?
– Overwhelmed by Expectations: Are you carrying the weight of who you think you “should” be? What would happen if you released some of those expectations and allowed yourself to create from a place of deep knowing?
By using this framework, we can reframe struggles as valuable parts of your artistic journey, leading to new levels of growth, inspiration, and inner peace. It’s not about fixing what’s “wrong,” but about integrating all parts of yourself and evolving through your creativity.
Ready to explore your struggles from a new perspective? Let’s work together to transform them into stepping stones for your artistic evolution.
PLUS, whenever you’re ready, there are 2 ways we can work together:
- Want to learn to lean into the art of Quiet Influence? Join me at the next intensive.
- Sign up for one of our current courses at ASHC and get taught by my team of advisors and me. All our courses are internationally and nationally industry-approved and will equip you with all the tools to open up your own professional private practice.
- Need help with standing in your power as a woman in leadership? Apply for one of only three spots as my private client.
REFERENCES:
- Catalyst. (2020). Why diversity and inclusion matter: Financial performance. https://www.catalyst.org/research/why-diversity-and-inclusion-matter/
- European Institute for Gender Equality. (2021). Gender equality index 2021: Sweden. https://eige.europa.eu/gender-equality-index/2021/country/SE
- Forbes. (2020). Why women don’t always support other women (And how to fix it). https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellevate/2020/02/10/why-women-dont-always-support-other-women-and-how-to-fix-it
- Harvard Business Review. (2019). Research: Women score higher than men in most leadership skills. https://hbr.org/2019/06/research-women-score-higher-than-men-in-most-leadership-skills
- McKinsey & Company. (2020). Women in the workplace 2020. https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace
- Victoria State Government. (n.d.). Gender inequality affects everyone. https://www.vic.gov.au/gender-inequality-affects-everyone
- Workplace Gender Equality Agency. (2022). Australia’s gender equality scorecard. https://www.wgea.gov.au/publications/australias-gender-equality-scorecard