It seems that everyone has a different creative process. I have found this to be true. Some people have vast differences in the kind of work environment they prefer, the types of tools they use, or the order they do things in. Others, however, are quite similar and only vary in a few areas. While this might seem to be an obvious fact, something even more obvious is this: everyone has a different life process. Every person reaches certain levels of personal and spiritual growth at different points in their lives.
I’m a creative person, and I often feel the most fulfilled when I’m doing creative activities. However, my life process has been marked by highs and lows in creativity. I contribute these variances to seasons throughout my life when I have been struck with depression. For me, depression seems to paralyze my creativity. And my motivation to do anything. When these seasons have come into my life, I have often had the mindset of being “stuck.” Like I cannot do anything until this passes. This got particularly troublesome when I had my son. The depression hit me the hardest about a month postpartum. There’s no worse time to be “stuck” then when you’ve got a newborn to take care of. Forget about getting your creativity back. We’re talking about SURVIVAL.
After many difficult months, my postpartum depression finally subsided. I made it out and my life process resumed. My little boy even helped me by becoming extra cuddly when I was the saddest. I gradually felt more motivated to create again. I had served my time and at last I could move on with my life.
However, I recently discovered that we shouldn’t wait to be “cured” from our depression before moving on with our lives. Rather than waiting until we feel better, those of us who go through seasons of depression should walk with God through those seasons. He gives us everything we need for life EACH DAY. Our daily bread and daily grace given from God is sufficient for today. Not for yesterday. Not for tomorrow. It is sufficient for TODAY (Matt 6:34, 2 Cor 12:9). And every day is different, especially for those of us with depression and anxiety. But instead of constantly wishing for it to be over, we should live in the moment, trusting God with every second.
I want to encourage you, no matter what trial you’re going through, to make it part of your life process. Not a pause and resume. Let it shape you. Let it bring you closer to God and those you love. It might feel like you should give up, but keep going. And remember not to compare yourself with others—because everyone has a different life process.
Renee Wilcox 