This post is brought to you by Krishna Kayastha, an artist and member of The Cyclical Business Collective. In this article, originally shared on Krishna’s website aims to help us remember to embrace the journey of creation.

Chasing the Mirage

Ever find yourself pondering, ‘Do I have enough paintings?’ It’s a curious thought, isn’t it? Defining ‘enough’ is like chasing a mirage. Yet, gazing at my pieces showcased at markets or neatly arranged in my studio, a swell of pride engulfs me.

Each brushstroke, every print, they’re my creations. Sometimes I forget, prints are born from originals, a replication of my vision. Yet, when I sit down to share with you, that nagging voice returns, whispering ‘They’ve seen this,’ ‘It’s old,’ or ‘You’re sharing this again.’

It’s the constant churn of countless art accounts that fueled this notion. They flood my feed, a never-ending stream of work. I fell into the trap, convincing myself I should match their pace. But it’s not me. It’s time to put that notion to rest.

So, I’m taking a stand, silencing that voice. It’s wrong. There’s no set count, no deadline. Each piece holds its own time, its unique passion, and I’ll unveil them as they’re meant to be. The rest is just noise.

You are doing enough

If that same voice whispers to you, ‘You’re not doing enough,’ know this: it’s mistaken. Say it aloud if you must. Remind yourself of all you’ve achieved. But don’t let it linger. You are more than enough, on an incredible journey at your own pace.

And let me share a secret about Art Markets: they’re a treasure trove of connections. My highlight? Bonding with fellow artists, geeking out about pens for a solid 10 minutes. We’re convinced it’s the next icebreaker sensation. Oh, and our verdict? Anyone with fewer than 10 pens is definitely sketchy.

Another joy? Conversations with buyers, choosing art as gifts, as they ponder which piece resonates with their loved ones. It’s heartwarming.

Originally, I planned for three markets this year, but I’m contemplating squeezing in two more before January. And the excitement for the upcoming series? It’s palpable. There’s so much happening, and I’m immensely grateful for every bit of it. This is a fulfilling kind of busy, a ‘creating our best life’ kind of busy, and I’m all in.

Your personal journey of creation

Even if you’re not an artist like Krishna, maybe you can relate to the experience of putting too much pressure on your creative pursuits? You’re not alone!

It will probably come as no surprise to you since you’re here on The Agenda. blog, but your cycle can help you with that. Since you’re tracking your cycle with The Agenda. App, you have a good idea of when your menstrual phase will arrive next. Your period is a great time to tap into something creative, simply for creativity’s sake. (If you use the Google calendar integration function of The Agenda. App, you will be able to see when your next menstrual phase is predicted to arrive and schedule some creativity time on your calendar accordingly!)

Allowing for a personal journey of creation means taking the pressure off. And creativity can be found everywhere, not simply in artistic modalities. Cooking, putting together outfits, planning vacations, etc, all exercise your creativity. It’s important exercise too!

Will you try some menstrual phase creativity play during your next cycle?

*Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash