No one likes to feel bewildered. I don’t and I’m sure you don’t either. But disliking that feeling and avoiding it at all costs are two different things. An everyday creative person makes an effort to embrace bewilderment, even though she dislikes the feeling, because she knows that she has no other choice.
Every creative journey is marked by patches and even long stretches of bewilderment when, disoriented and upset, you realize that you don’t know what to do next. These patches of not knowing just can’t be avoided, unless you refuse to create.
Embrace bewilderment. This may mean that the book that you thought you were writing about your father must be about your mother, as bewildering as that seems. It may mean that your current painting style has run its course and you have a great new darkness to enter. It may mean that you are on the verge of a breakthrough that can only occur if you let out a real shriek: “I have no idea what I’m doing!” When you feel bewildered, don’t look for ways to rid yourself of the feeling. Just go forward.
Buy a little bewilderment this week. Contemplate something that you’re certain you don’t understand. Let’s say it’s the engine of your car. Go into the garage, turn on the light, and lift up the hood of your car. What do you see? Just an array of completely meaningless gizmos. Notice the feeling in the pit of your stomach. That’s anxiety. Notice your thoughts. “I could never figure this out in a million years!” Notice what your feet want to do. They want to run.
Now, consciously switch your thoughts. Say, “I don’t understand what I see here but I don’t need to feel frightened.” Stand up a little straighter. Work to breathe normally. Say, “What a bewildering thing an engine is!” Accept that you don’t know how your car’s engine works but imagine that you could learn. After a while your stomach will begin to settle and your vision will clear. You might even be tempted to reach down and unscrew a cap or two. Store away that feeling.
“Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment”—Rumi
Eric Maisel, Ph.D., is the author of 30 books, among them "Coaching the Artist Within" and "The Van Gogh Blues," and is widely regarded as America’s foremost creativity coach. His most recent book is Brainstorm: Harnessing the Power of Productive Obsessions. He is a featured contributor to the HuffingtonPost, ArtBistro, and Art Calendar magazine. Visit Dr. Maisel at EricMaisel.com.
From: Victoria Klein | 12/1/10 at 10:24 am
This is a fantastically inspirational post. My personal & professional life has been full of bewilderment lately!
From: Melissa | 12/1/10 at 11:22 am
I get really frustrated during the periods of time when I feel uninspired- this article is great. I will make an effort to embrace the feeling next time and see where it takes me.
From: Maggie Mistal | 12/1/10 at 2:03 pm
You make a great point Eric - I often find that I avoid the uncomfortable feeling of bewilderment whenever I do something new. However, when I have embraced it I tend to ultimately enjoy the process and feel more alive. Thanks for pointing that out!
From: Today: I (mexi)can’t believe my eyes! « | 12/1/10 at 4:19 pm
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