Creative addiction

by Robert Genn

Yesterday Carol Ubben of Mt. Morris, Illinois, wrote: "I've recently joined a quit smoking online group called Quitnet. There I've met many artist friends from around the world. Lately we have been discussing how addictions affect creativity.

"Many of the other artists (which also include writers) are having problems with depression upon quitting and some find it difficult to get back to the easel. I was wondering if you have any insights on this."

Thanks Carol. Post-addiction depression drags down your spirit and makes you wonder why you quit in the first place.

Fact is, people generally have the same brand of depression before they quit. Cancerous lung photos may convince them that cigarettes kill, but that still doesn't do anything about fixing the depression.

Many quit-experts recommend replacement activity such as biking or jogging.

Here are some ideas for artists:

Replacement "units" can be tailor-made to the previous addiction. A cigarette, for example, burns down in about eight minutes. The idea is to make eight-minute poems, paintings, or whatever.

These units can be repeated in about the same frequency and timing as the previous addiction. This is habit management and it can be a lot of fun. It's important not to give yourself time to think.

A bad habit is simply replaced by a good one--and perhaps collected and archived. Materials at hand are the only prerequisite--freshly squeezed paint, that sort of thing.

This system is called CAR--Creative Addiction Replacement. It's a proactive way to keep the mind from the depressing stuff. Like pulling a cigarette out of a packet and lighting up, it requires an action without a lot of thought.

A companion system is known as "The Way of the Actor." It's based on the idea that professional actors can affect a persona and then become that persona.

In our case, desirable activity is acted--and desirable behavior follows. Rather than seeking outside help, people can often find it within themselves to reprogram their personality--essentially renaming themselves.

This subterfuge calls for an iron will--what used to be called "character." It's a good name for it. When people make a conscious decision to eliminate an undesirable habit, they are on the path to further lobotomize for the good.

Things get adventurous and rebirth happens. Creative people come alive when they find novelty within themselves. Novelty stomps depression.

    Best regards,

    Robert

PS: "In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer." (Albert Camus -- see quotes page)

Esoterica: Never underestimate the value of addictions. When positive, they can mean the difference between "survive" and "thrive."

Addiction and compulsion are closely related to that most valuable of human qualities--passion. Passion is the force that springs an artist from the needling cushion of depression.

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(c) Copyright 2006 Robert Genn rgenn@saraphina.com 

From The Robert Genn Twice-Weekly Letter

> his book: The Painter's Keys : A Seminar With Robert Genn

>related articles:

Gifted, Talented, Addicted - by Douglas Eby

Creativity and Depression - by Douglas Eby
"I only know that summer sang in me a little while, that in me sings no more." poet Edna St. Vincent Millay

In Praise of Positive Obsessions by Eric Maisel

> related pages:

Depression and Creativity

addiction resources: articles sites

addiction resources: books

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