Here’s my yearly November reminder (to myself and everyone else) about the power of gratitude. Lately, as I’ve been thinking about what I’m grateful for, it always comes back to being a creative person. I know that I’m wired differently because I’m creative. I chase my Muse (though she rarely allows herself to be caught when I want her). I wrestle with deadlines, grapple with self-doubt, and pour my very essence into my writing. I have deliberately chosen to embrace the writing life, and as much as I love it, the path can be exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. 

Many of us creatives will tell you that being creative is often a double-edged sword. The pursuit of perfection can be challenging as I strive for excellence, which is good, but that can lead to a lot of self-criticism, which is bad. I’ve talked before about how I struggled with compare-itis for years. There’s also always this sense of “What’s next?” When being a creative person feels like homework, the joy of creation can be overshadowed.

Gratitude shifts my perspective. When I’m stuck, as I was for months with my current WIP, actively seeking things to be grateful for helps me focus on what’s right with my draft. When I was stuck in my novel, I had to keep reminding myself that I’m making progress. Sticking with it allowed me to see the positive side. The creative journey is full of setbacks. Gratitude helps you develop a thicker skin by reminding you of your foundational strengths and resources. If you’re grateful for the simple reality of being creative, of simply trying something fun and new, the creative life becomes much more rewarding. Here are some things that we can be grateful for as creatives.

Creativity Amplifies Joy and Energy 

When you appreciate the small wins, you build momentum and rediscover the pure joy that drew you to writing in the first place. When your mind is in a state of appreciation, it’s more open and less constrained by fear or judgment, which helps us discover new ideas, unexpected connections, and even those much-needed breakthroughs.

Creativity Connects You to Your Why

It’s important to remember your why, especially when you find yourself stuck in a project, as I was for many months. Why did you choose to write this specific work? What was it about that topic or those characters that called your name? Why do you choose to create in the first place? Chances are, it’s not just for fame or fortune, or at least it isn’t for me. It’s for the joy of expression, the connection, the challenge, and discovering the beauty that surrounds us every day. Gratitude reconnects you to that spark of creativity, and for a creative person, there’s nothing better.

What Else Can Creatives Be Thankful For? 

There are so many things to be thankful for when you’re a creative person. Here is a short list. Hopefully, it inspires you to consider a few reasons of your own.

The power of imagination and being able to envision things that don’t exist yet.Our unique perspectives and the unique ways we see the world which are the roots of our authentic voices.Resilience and persistence, as well as the ability to keep going after a setback or a rejection.Our curiosity and our drive to learn new skills, explore new mediums, and seek out inspiration.The joy of creation and the pleasure of turning an abstract idea into something tangible that we can share with others. “Aha!” moments with those sudden breakthroughs and flashes of insight that solve a creative puzzle.Last, but definitely not least, is the finished piece. Nothing beats the feeling of holding a completed work in your hands, regardless of its commercial success.

What are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends. I hope the day is everything you wish it to be.

Categories: Creativity, Inspiration, Writing, Writing InspirationTags: creative writing, creativity, gratitude practice, writing, writing inspiration, writing life, writing motivation