Earlier this year, for The Woman Inside Project, I was casting the torso of this awesome young woman Alexandra, who had just finished her extensive treatment for breast cancer. I’ve been working on this project for four years, casting breast cancer survivors with plaster bandages, painting the casts with encaustic, and then listening to their stories, which I then transcribe into a narrative about the beauty that is within each woman (and man, are they beautiful!) When I was interviewing Alexandra, I asked her about interests outside of her work as a biologist and environmental consultant. She said, “You are a doctor-slash-artist. I’m still trying to find my slash,” as in, biologist/writer or environmental consultant/ballerina.

What's Your Slash?
Her comment stuck with me all this time, not just because I meet so many women who are trying to find their slash, but because we all have so many slashes, don’t we? I am a doctor/ artist/ writer/ teacher/ mother/ dog walker/ cook/ yogi/ chauffeur/ daughter/ garbage collector/ hiker/ wife/ sex goddess (okay, the last one is a wild exaggeration). I could go on. And so could you, I’m sure. But I know what Alexandra means. Many of us are still trying to find a way to express ourselves creatively. As in computer programmer/gardener or lawyer/gourmet chef or CEO/finger-painter. I have met very few artists who are desperately trying to find their Ella (left brain) slash. Not often do they say, “Gosh, I wish I was an artist/accountant.”

We all tap into our creative passion differently. For some of us, setting the table is an art form. For others, it’s playing the guitar, cooking, drawing, scrapbooking, writing, making pottery, aromatherapy mixing, candle-making, painting, wood-working, photography, jewelry-making, knitting, or flower-arranging. But we all our Ari (right brain) side- even those of us who are very Ella-dominated.

Have You Found Your Slash?

Or slashes? How do you tap into your creative genius? Don’t say you don’t have one. We all do. Some of ours are just really closeted. If it doesn’t come to you right away, invite your slash to come out of hiding. Ask your dreams to help you. Before you go to sleep tonight, invite your slash to make an appearance and help you figure it out. Keep asking every night until the answer comes to you. If that doesn’t help, choose an object from your home that represents your creativity to you. Don’t think too much about it- just let an object speak to you. Now, sit quietly with your object in your hands and close your eyes. Take a moment of silence and think about why this represents your creativity. Listen to the stories it wants to tell you. Your silent meditation may very well reveal your slash.

Why It's Worth the Effort

Those who balance their right brain creativity wit their practical, analytical left brain mind life more fully, more healthfully, more vitally, and more successfully. Who doesn't want that? If you've already found your slash but are feeling blocked, check out Annette Colby's tips for overcoming creative block.

Own Your Slashes: Make A List
If a single creative slash doesn’t come to mind, make a list of all your slashes- every single one you can think of. Own it! These roles we play are all pieces of us, but remember that no single identity defines you. You are more than all of your slashes. A young woman I know once said, “I’m 29 years old. I’m supposed to BE something by now!” We are ALL something. None of your slashes is the essence of you. I am a doctor/artist/writer/teacher, but if I was suddenly not a doctor, I would still be me. If I couldn’t paint, I would still be Lissa. My slashes don’t define me, but they are part of me, and I own them.

Stay tuned to Owning Pink and keep an eye on the Owning Creativity category. I'll be introducing another member of the Pink Posse soon. Malaya Quinn, our creativity coach, teaches creativity classes to MBA students at Stanford, and she will be coaching us in exercises to help us find our slashes. Hang onto your hats, Pinkies. It's gonna be quite a ride!

What about you? What are all your slashes? Tell me. Tell yourself. Own it, girlfriend!

Post comments, share your stories, and help me encourage others to do the same.

With love and slashes,
Lissa

PS. If you love artist Tracey Buchanan's many hat drawing in this post, visit her website or buy a print here.