Happy Mojo Mondays, Pinkies! How do you express yourself creatively? Do you value yourself for that creative outlet? Or has someone diminished your creative potential? I believe that all people need to express themselves creatively to truly Own Pink and get their mojo back. Maybe you were raised in a family of scientists and mathematicians who poo-ooed anything floofy and artsy. But I can tell you from facilitating Owning Pink workshops that everybody enjoys freeing their creative side, even those who think they don’t have even a smidge of creative talent.

What happens between childhood and adulthood that stomps on our creativity? Loads of things. Chances are, someone once told you that you must have talent to be creative. I say BULLSHIT! Sure, maybe you have to have some talent in order to achieve fame for the way you express yourself creatively. But what about all the other benefits? What about how creative expression affects your health, your attitude, your performance in business, your financial success, your joie de vivre, your relationships, even seemingly unrelated things such as your fertility? What if you let go of your need to be “good” in order to create? What would that feel like? How would you let your creative freak flag fly?

I call it finding your “slash,” a term that inspired by this awesome woman named Alexandra, who I cast for an art project I call The Woman Inside Project. I’ve been working on this project for four years, casting breast cancer survivors with plaster bandages, painting the casts with encaustic (my art medium of choice), 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-slash writer. I’m still trying to find my slash,” as in, biologist/writer or environmental consultant/ballerina. The phrase stuck, and I’ve been writing, teaching workshops, and talking to clients about Finding Your Slash ever since.

Her comment resonated with me because I meet so many people who are desperately trying to find their slash. What’s your slash, Pinkies? If a single creative slash doesn’t come to mind, make a list of all your slashes- every single one you can think of. Here’s an exercise to help you get in touch with what your slash might be, that way of expressing yourself creatively that puts you in touch with the authentic you and gives you major shots of mojo.

Most of us have dozens of slashes already. For example, I am a doctor/ artist/ writer/ teacher/ mother/ dog walker/ chef/ yogi/ daughter/ garbage collector/ hiker/ wife/ kayaker/ candle-maker/ daughter/ spiritual seeker/ chauffeur/ cousin/ singer/ meditator/ dancer/ housekeeper/ aromatherapist/ auntie/ bitch/ guitar player/ nail polisher/ table setter/ gardener/ visionary/ child/ friend/ lover/ healer/ goddess/ student/ fashionista/ sleeper/ enemy/ volunteer/ advocate/ hippy/ dreamer/ entrepreneur/ sister/ divorcee/ guru/ schemer/ model/ traveler/ servant/ sinner/ saint….I could go on. And so could you, I’m sure.

What’s 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 slashes to come out of hiding. Here's a Mojo Monday exercise to help you discover your slashes. For even better results, invite your Pink Posse to do this with you.

 

Write down every single thing you do, everything you are, every word you can think of that defines you. Think of every role you play, every task you do, every descriptor that fits who you are. Be silly- and very very specific. Don’t leave anything out. Ask your friends and family to help you. You don’t have to be good at what you put on your list. Talent doesn’t matter. List everything.

 

Now take a gander at your list. Is there anything that stands out? Do one or two things on the list really make your heart sing? Maybe you read the word “photographer” (since you’ve been photographing your kids for years), and you feel a happy lightness in the core of your being. Or maybe you read the word “flower-arranger,” which you included among your slashes because you periodically gather wildflowers and put them all over the house. Or maybe you wrote the word “singer” because you sing in the shower, and singing like a diva makes you feel happy. What you’re looking for is the emotion you feel when you read your list. Chances are you’re not so happy that “chauffeur” is on your list because you have to cart your kids around to school, soccer practice, and piano lessons. But what are you proud to list among your slashes?

 

Now OWN those slashes. List them separately, the ones that make your heart sing, cause you to do a little happy dance, and feel proud to include on your list. Don’t judge your slashes. You don’t have to be good at them- you just have to own them.

 

If your list reads, “make-up artist, fashion consultant, dancer,” affirm that you are all those things. Say out loud, “I am a make-up artist. I am a fashion consultant. I am a dancer.” Own it!

 

Keep a dream journal beside your bed. Ask your dreams to help you. Before you go to sleep, invite your slashes to make an appearance and help you figure out out what your authentic self wants you to create. Keep asking every night until the answers 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 slashes.

Your slashes are all pieces of you, but remember that no single identity defines you. You are more than any one of your slashes. A young woman I know 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. If I couldn’t paint, I would still be Lissa. If I quit practicing medicine altogether, I would still be me. My slashes don’t define me, but they are a big part of me.

How did you feel when you looked at your list of slashes, Pinkies? Pay attention to the feeling you get when you affirm your slashes. Buried within the negative thoughts you might have (the “I am NOT a make-up artist- I totally suck at putting on make-up” thoughts) lies a really important message from your authentic self. Listen up. Your slashes are trying to teach you something about how to get your mojo back. Chances are that the list you created has some clues about how you can Own Creativity.

Want to explore Finding Your Slash in a much deeper way? Join Mojo Mentor Creativity Coach Malaya Quinn and I for a full-day of exercises designed to get you out of your left brain and into your right brain, where your creative slash lies. For details about our workshop, click here.

Wishing you loads of mojo and lots of creative slashes,
Lissa & Malaya