On Being Creative - The Way of Phi in Practice -

Three sides to Creativity. The Linear. the Circular. Dynamic Balance. When all three are in play, with just enough space between them, new things happen.

Dear friend,

Creativity is the marriage between the Linear and the Circular.

Every time.

In art, the artist holds the paintbrush (Linear) while mixing colours on the palette (Circular).

In music, the musician practises relentlessly (Linear) while also breathing and feeling the music (Circular).

Even in procreation where the sperm (Linear) joins with the ovum (Circular).

It's like a puzzle with only two pieces. For there to be creativity those two must click together in the right way and at the right time.

Who Is Creative?

Most people these days either see themselves as creative or want to be.

And that's a good thing, because at our core, we are creators.

When the old tests say that God, the great creator, made humans in his image, we don't even have to be very creative to connect the dots.

But also in our day-to-day living, being creative usually means tapping into more of life's potential. Not just repeating what is already known.

For the creative act is fundamentally about – creating something new.

And that is something that we can do – and do do – in many ways whether we are aware of it or not.

Indeed, we cannot not create. 

Every time we open our eyes, we are creating images in our mind – automatically. I am not talking about grand inner visions, but just the fact that we can perceive what is out there, see it in here and then interpret it. For most of us, that is something we take for granted, but if we stop to think about it, that is absolutely astonishing!

Obstacles to Creativity

If creativity is the dance of the Linear and Circular held together in Dynamic Balance, then the obstacles come when that balance slips.

Linear obstacles often look like laziness:

Not showing up

Not putting in the work

Procrastination

Circular obstacles are their mirror:

Pushing too hard

Not letting yourself breathe

Forgetting self-compassion

And then there's the trap of imbalance:

Letting things slide

Doing the work but never feeling it's enough

Taking breaks but guilting yourself through them, so they don't restore you

The Remedy

The way through isn't in "fixing yourslef". It's in knowing yourself. Knowing when to push and when to rest, when to show up and when to take the day off.

When you release attachment to either extreme, you allow space for creativity to move through you.

A New Invitation

If this speaks to you, I'm starting a philosophical masterclass soon. We'll meet every other week to explore these ideas together, through dialogue and practice.

There will probably be one in Swedish and one in English. If you already feel that this is for you, drop me a line by replying to this newsletter. Or click here to get my book.

With gratitude,

Christopher