Overcoming creative obstacles (and blue-green algae blooms)

Parallels between wild swimming and navigating the creative process

I made this diary comic, and then I realized this experience has a lot of parallels with the creative process and how I face creative obstacles, so I wanted to expand a bit on it in case it’s useful to you all:

1) Allowing the negative feelings

When we couldn’t swim in the lake, we first allowed ourselves to sulk and feel frustrated. This aspect of allowing emotions is SO important in the creative journey. You don’t need to immediately find a solution—allow yourself to feel the feels for a bit! It’ll help you move past them sooner.

2) Searching for other options

Once the feeling of frustration had diminished, we looked for other options of places to swim. We found lake after lake in the region also had algae¹ blooms or weren’t suitable for swimming for other reasons. We decided to wander around the small town of Narrowsburg instead, but we packed our swimming stuff just in case. While there, we noticed the sparkling Delaware River that the town was perched above. It looked clean, didn’t have much boat traffic, and the current didn’t seem too fast. Perhaps we could swim there?

In a creative journey being open and looking for opportunities is so important. Pack your metaphorical swimsuit and goggles!

3) Doing research

Being relatively cautious people, we weren’t about to jump into an unknown river without some research. So we stopped by an organization focused on water health that happened to be based in Narrowsburg. We spoke to the founder who swam everyday in the river and learned about the currents and good water quality. She encouraged us to swim.

Doing research before making a creative pivot can save you so much time and effort! Don’t face things alone, without learning from other’s experiences. And their encouragement can make a big difference too.

4) Facing the fears

Encouraged to swim, we traipsed down a steep trail that led down to the Delaware River. We readied our swimming buoys and waded into the water. It was cold and the current was fast. When I started to swim the breast stroke against the current, I wasn’t able to make any progress. And I was scared. I’m used to swimming in lakes, not rivers. I wanted to get out of the water, but I know my fears (and swimming ability) well enough to know that this is my common reaction to obstacles, and that I shouldn’t immediately listen to my fears.

At the start of creative journeys, at first it feels as though you’re not making any progress and you may want to stop. Resisting your fears and internal cries to give up is so important when you embark on a new creative journey.

5) Changing strokes

Since I wasn’t going anywhere with the breast stroke, I switched to the front crawl, and found that I could move against the current. It wasn’t easy, but it was exciting. The water was so clear that I could see the rocks on the bottom, and fish swimming by.

This is another parallel with the artistic process. Often the “stroke” you’re using doesn’t work and you have to shift techniques or focus to in order to make progress.

6) Empowerment

After swimming around a bend in the river, the current eased and swimming became easier. And I felt so strong and empowered, especially when we turned and shot down river, swimming with the current. It was one of the most memorable parts of my summer.

In the creative process, you often feel like you’re swimming against the current for a while, but then there are moments of ease, and speed. It’s not a consistent process and often is accompanied by fear. But in the end, it’s often exciting and empowering—and your art is worth it.

What about you?

I’d love to hear what you find helpful when overcoming creative obstacles. Put your suggestions in the comments below!

Photos from our day in Narrowsburg

Leif love

Leif got injured this week while playing with his best friend, a husky named Lola. They wrestle pretty hard, so it’s actually surprising that injuries don’t happen more often. We brought him to the vet, and now we have to limit his activity for the next week or so (not an easy thing to do), as there’s a chance he broke a bone in his elbow.

This is a photo from our vet’s office where the floor always reminds me of Burger Kings from the 90s:

Take care and keep creating!

-Katharine

1. Also known as cyanobacteria, a condition caused by raising water temperatures often due to climate change.