Have you ever felt creatively blocked, discouraged, or distracted, unable to know what to do next? I have been there. But let me share with you a surprising way I’ve discovered to break free from being creatively drained and back into a creative flow again. For me it all starts with a simple act of fasting, **intermittently with food (I fast from food 16 hours overnight), but also from the noise and distractions that clutter our minds in today’s world.
I’ve found that fasting from certain things can put you into a creative flow and lead to creative breakthroughs.
- Fasting from the Noise
For me, the process started by fasting from the constant notifications of news and political content. I realized that my mind was cluttered with opinions, arguments, and the fear-mongering that often accompanies the news cycle. So, I made the move of unsubscribing from all political content, commentators, and emails, and even bid farewell to the Twitter app on my phone. - Fasting from Distractions
But the journey didn’t stop there. I realized that my creative well was still being drained by the distractions on social media. I took another step by unsubscribing from anyone who contributed to a negative view of the world or political polarization on my social platforms.
The result? A newfound clarity and happiness that I hadn’t experienced in a long time. It turns out, fasting from the negativity and divisiveness in the media world allowed me to focus on what truly matters: my faith and enjoying the life God gave me instead of draining myself with anxiety. - Intermittent Fasting**(not medical advice, only personal my experience)
For mental clarity and overall health I began fasting from early evening until early lunch starting in September. The results in my productivity and overall energy levels have been hard to deny a connection. I feel great! (Disclaimer: This is my personal experience. Please seek your physician to make sure fasting is right for you. I am no doctor)
Guarding my Heart for 2024
The decision to guard my heart already from the usually unnerving and divisive nature of the election season felt necessary for my own well-being. Instead of being bombarded by conflicting opinions and constant updates, I chose to focus on what I could control—my own thoughts and actions.
By doing so, I created a mental space where my creativity could flourish. I turned off the T.V. and streamlined my YouTube algorithm to creative, business and educational content.
Suddenly, I had more time to engage with things that truly mattered to me. I started writing more words each day, got a clearer plan for my short term and long term creative goals, and began exploring new artistic outlets with a renewed sense of purpose. The distractions that had once controled my time were replaced by a more focused outlook.
Living Out the Word of God
As I’ve paid attention of what drains me and have let those things go, I discovered that living out my faith in a creative way was not only possible but deeply fulfilling. Instead of merely posting a scripture or devotional (or sharing someone elses content), I found myself interested in discovering what it looked like for a myself as a Christian to live out what God has for me to do in this world.
How is that different from an unbeliever? It feels like the time is now to leave it all on the canvas, so to speak.
My creative breakthrough wasn’t just about producing art or writing; it was about using my unique gifts to serve others, to be a source of light in a world that often feels dark.
I realized that each one of us is uniquely gifted by God for a purpose, and it’s our responsibility to share those gifts with the world similar to the parable of the talents that Jesus pointed us to in Matthew 25:14–30.
In a world filled with distractions, fear, and negativity, fasting from certain things can for sure lead to new ideas. Eliminating distractions, and living out the Word of God in our unique way, we can shine as beacons of creativity and love in the world.
So, if you’re creatively blocked, discouraged, fearful, or distracted, consider embarking on your own fasting journey. You might be surprised at the creativity and joy that flow when you create space for what truly matters in your life.
Let’s leave it all on the canvas and be the salt, the light, and the city on a hill that we were meant to be.
Living creatively,
Create Everyday 