Have You Considered Your Creative Anti-Values in This Season?
Article Published for The Vital Creative Collection — Written by Casey Balon
Photo by Julia Peretiatko
I was recently listening to visual artist Andy J. Pizza interview his wife, Sophie Miller, about her personal ‘Creative Battle Cry’.
Sophie is a fiber artist and vegetable gardener, originally from Yorkshire, England, who recently returned to her creative practice after taking time away to focus on raising their children.
“I feel smothered by a world that tells me I have to be more, and I have to be faster, and I have to be louder… and I don’t want to be. I have enough fight in me at least – and I think this is a testament to how I grew up – in that I actually feel confident enough to say, ‘No. No, I’m not going to rush that. I’m not going to rush me.’ ”
The couple’s conversation progressed into uncovering their personal Creative Battle Cries for each era of their lives.
As Sophie was sharing her softer, intuitive approach her to creativity for this upcoming year, the pair began examining a contrasting concept that captured my visceral attention: They dove into discussing the importance of identifying her Anti-Goals (for her personal artistic works) in this next season.
Essentially, in addition to deeply exploring and outlining what her intentions and goals are for this upcoming chapter, they also identified what could present in opposition to that, such as her past personal goals, ulterior motives, conditioning, energetic patterns, or societal expectations that she does not want to creep in or take over her present (and deeper) authentic intentions.
This evoked my own inner reflection as I began to consider what the potential anti-hero – and anti-values – are within my own creative process for this season.
What I Found
My process this year has mirrored a chapter in my life where I have been knowingly creating and experiencing momentum, continuity, and focus. This began with a decision – born from an intuitive understanding – that it was time to build my capacity, conviction, and fluency in this era of my creative career.
I made a decision in early December, 2022 to rebuild my posterior chain – physically in the gym, emotionally within myself, and in the way that I relate to others and the world around me.
The quality of my experience and personal process has been high (and deep). This season has been filled with Grace, yet quite emotionally intensive as well.
The evident undertones of my season of ‘devotion in motion’ have included:
a completely revitalized relationship with the elements of faith, surrender, steadiness, and responsibility
an ignited drive to create well and through excellence
a focus on pouring into my wellspring and prioritizing Spiritual Vitality
the resurrection of my discernment and decisiveness
a precise engagement of discipline
a dedication to my subconscious self-worth…
and a full return to prayer
So far, I have pinpointed the potential Anti-Values of:
rushing
perfectionism
doubly down on doubt
seeking outside permission or approval
over-extending myself or thinking that “doing more is better”
allowing in distractions from my daily creative commitments/abandoning healthy boundaries
inadvertently comparing with others who are also launching new projects (or trying to evade any overlap with anyone else)
Re-Assigning Value & Direction
This reflection is super helpful, but I intend to ensure I am not throwing aspects of myself into “my shadow” or into rejected aspects of my psyche. I am compassionately tending to the parts of myself that could rely on the perceived safety within each of these Anti-Values…. because – the truth is – these qualities and behaviours have served (or attempted to serve) a purpose in the past. In some way, they created a sense of safety, familiarity, or stability for me.
Acknowledging this, I can gently reassign these aspects of myself updated roles that support my overarching Creative Values in this season. This opens up the opportunity for an integrated relationship with my creative work.
Sophie Miller’s Openness Will Continue to Inspire My Creative Walk
As Sophie and Andy’s conversation came to a close, she reassured her husband that sometimes the most fulfilling route truly is found by creating at a tempo that honours the life of the project:
“The right time is when it feels right. You are worth that time, and this creative project is worth that time. I believe that it will be better because of the time you give it.”
-Casey Balon, Editor-in-Chief of The Vital Creative
