SEEING Vs. READING #5

Divergence — from reason to intuition

The reverse is equally important: We first clearly define a creative playground using logical verbal thinking. For instance we might say: “For the next hour I will make drawings of everything that goes through my mind on a single sheet of paper.” After having defined this “creative concept” we can switch into a visual mindset that makes us perceptive enough to capture all those thoughts.

The process of “creative incubation” follows a similar direction: After taking in a lot of information on a subject — in verbal reasonable thinking mode —we let it settle and allow our intuitive side to make new connections in the safety of our subconscious.

what could go wrong?

Many bigger and smaller dramas in our creative process can be ascribed to conflicts between those two different mindsets.

Remember the last time your rational mind pushed your intuitive mind too hard? “Hurry up! Be more creative!”

Intuitive thinking can be seduced or invited, it can hardly be forced. Our rational verbal thinking — being the controlling bully it sometimes is — can disturb or even choke an intuitive process and lead to much dreaded creative block.

On the other hand if we are in a phase where we need to focus and coordinate our ideas, too much intuitive thinking can distract us. The result is utter confusion about what we actually set out to do. We are going nowhere. To quote Sandra Bullock: “I am off structure and I’m drifting!”