Trusting the process after creative burnout
This week, I’m actually writing to you from Iceland! I finally got away for a swift solo holiday for the first time since before the pandemic. It’s a blessing to have a new place to reflect and find inspiration. So, if you’re following me on Instagram or TikTok, I’ll be sharing any gems I find!
Recently I have been inspired by a lovely conversation I had last week with Jess. Jess is a spiritual artist & intuitive who mentors, channels branding & artistry from the sol.
We were sharing thoughts around the joys and challenges of creating spiritual/channelled artwork. We found that the process is not something we can control in the same way as the professional projects we complete do for clients.
Creating spiritual art really is a different ball game…
Creative burn-out
Sometimes it feels like the moment after birthing a project - the space left behind is already demanding the next thing.
2022 was a very special year. I had used my lockdown to lovingly create the artwork and guidebook for my own tarot deck, the Transient Light Tarot. I then spent a whole year self-publishing and selling via Etsy. By June 2022, it was published by Hay House UK and suddenly my creation was global. It had grown-up and left home and started a life of its own - being interpreted and worked with by thousands of strangers in their own personal spiritual practices.
This is a great honour, and fills me with joy, gratitude and purpose. But a week after the launch, I was overwhelmed with a feeling that I had lost my sense of responsibility as a ‘parent’ to my creation. I felt like I hadn’t got any energy left to quickly create the next thing. Suddenly the significant source of purpose was no longer mine.
This feeling was also heightened by the fact I had been non-stop working, alongside a full-time job, to create Transient Light Tarot and bring it to life.
I talked with my best friend, Fausta Joly, about how I was feeling. As a fellow creative, she too knew the feeling well. Fausta had been close to the project too, supporting and consulting throughout the process of creating the deck. She even created beautiful bespoke poems for the major arcana for the guidebook! She responded with something that I will never forget. She said that now that my creation has flown the nest, it’s like every time a new person interacts with it, they take a little bit of my magic and energy with them. This truly is an honour. The most rewarding thing for an artist is to see others connect with their work, and I willingly put my energy and heart into what I make. But it also reminded me that it’s okay to feel tired and uninspired. It’s okay to stop creating and take time to enjoy and feed on other people's creations. I knew I would create again, but couldn't force it. Patience was key, but not easy!
This also helped me to understand that as much as my art is rich with my own stories and intentions - once it is in the hands of other, it becomes theirs to interpret and relate to in their own unique way. My art is a facilitator - not an answer - to someones own personal journey. This is what I wanted Transient Light to be. What I want any tool I make to be. A tool that empowers the user.
Trusting the process, and some news…
After the launch of Transient Light last summer, I proceeded to trust the process and step back from my personal creative projects for 6 months. It wasn’t easy, and I often felt lousy that I wasn’t making - especially when I knew exactly what I wanted to make next. But, I can finally confirm that I am working on my next project!
I am working on an oracle deck, rooted in the theme of grounded freedom, self-exploration and expression. As a primarily air/fire sign, I love to fly and experience as much as I can - soaking in as much inspiration as possible. But after experiencing some serious burn out and FOMO over the last few years, I’ve started to learn how to be more grounded and balanced. I am passionate about personal freedom, so the purpose of this deck is to encourage you to explore, express and open up to new experiences. But on this journey, we have to set boundaries and a balance to stay healthy. I believe this is through staying rooted in what truly inspires you.
Moving forward, I am drawing, painting and writing for this oracle deck at my own pace. Letting the process lead and allowing the messages to channel through organically!
Join me LIVE for free readings
Every Friday I go live on TikTok to do a collective tarot reading before taking requests for free 1-card readings for those watching. It’s such a special space to share with you and I love the process and the energy exchange. You can follow me on TikTok to join here.
I’m also going live with Hay House on facebook. Here I’ll be talking more about trusting the process and will be doing free tarot readings! Join us on 17th February 2023 at 5pm GMT (12pm EST)
Hope to see you there!
Much warmth,
Ari x
