Cyclical Creativity Framework
A framework for infusing your creative work with more inspiration, discernment, and balance.
In our modern world, we consume a lot of content. It’s easy to compare our messy, in-progress creative work to polished and published work. We can see ourselves as imposters, and our creativity as not fit to be a part of this world.
The Cyclical Creativity Framework is a tool for any creative to craft their work sustainably, without getting exhausted and trying to keep up with what they “should” be achieving. Inspired by nature’s seasons, this is meant to be an adaptable framework, ready for application to any type of creative work.
Creation is a personal practice. But without the proper tools, it’s one that can result in perfectionism and burnout.
This can look like:
Creative perfectionism.
Getting stuck on the ideation phase.
Burning out in the creation phase.
Staying invested in ideas that no longer serve you because of sunk cost.
The Cyclical Creativity Framework
… Honors your unique creative process while creating balance
… Creates room for reflection and learning
… Stokes creative ideation
… Leaves room for tinkering and experimentation
… Helps you get clear on the creative ideas that really matter to you
… Encourages you to take action with intention
… Is a framework that supports bringing your greatest creative ideas to life.
Restoration
The framework begins with rest — a step that is often missed. Rest, recoup, and restore yourself so you can be inspired.
2. Experimentation
This is where experimentation takes shape. Your creative work doesn’t have to mean anything at this stage, or become a finished project. Just have fun, and identify what you’re passionate to move forward with.
3. Action
The most energetic stage, this is where you take focused action on your creative project, knowing this is the project you’re most passionate and excited about.
4. Reflection
After completion, consider what you learned — is there more action to be taken, and do you want to keep following through? Would you do something like this again? Finish up what’s left, and get ready for rest.
Each stage of this framework is an opportunity to:
Define what creativity means to you.
Acknowledge and recognize the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that come up about our work throughout different stages of the cyclical creative process.
Enables us to energetically process through these thoughts, feelings, and beliefs, via the creative toolkit we build.
Share our work as a way of expressing ourselves.
The framework for creating work with alignment.
To learn more about integrating the Cyclical Creativity framework, check out my speaking opportunities or visit my Substack, Fairly Alarmed. Workshops on how to integrate this framework into your life and work coming soon.
