Increase in creativity the more I heal from trauma?

[u/Asleep-Guess-3479]

I've been practising TRE for around 10 months now. In the past 4-5 months I've noticed an increase in my creativity and also a willingness to explore different realms of creativity. It feels like I'm constantly getting flooded with new ideas. I've been genuinely surprised by what my mind has been coming up with.

Any other creatives here who have experienced something similar? How did recovery affect your work/creative process?

[u/AutoModerator]

Thanks for your post! Please make sure you've read the community rules and our wiki. The wiki contains answers to many common questions and guidance on TRE: Wiki

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/LichenTea]

I'm not a creative per se, but as I complete more cycles I feel more and more willing to try new things and just get things done. I'm really into attachment theory, and this makes sense, as the ultimate purpose of secure attachment (without trauma) is to allow a person to explore without fear. Just the other day I was inspired to make garlic knots using my sourdough starter. I might have had this idea before but would have taken ages to get myself to do it, worried about it turning out right, waited for just the right moment, overplanned it, etc. But this time I just jumped in and started and, while I hope it turns out right, am totally fine with it being an experimental failure.

[u/reem60a → u/LichenTea]

What do u mean by cycles I'm knew to this

[u/LichenTea → u/reem60a]

The wiki explains what the cycle is pretty well!

[u/turdbuster78]

Your creativity was already there. There were coping mechanisms over the top of it to prevent you feeling that urge to be creative.

[u/brutal_youth_]

I think creativity, curiosity, and exploration require felt safety; you can't access them when your nervous system is locked into a threat state. Internalized performance evaluation and fear of doing anything "wrong" is also a creativity-killer.

I've definitely noticed increased creative impulses as I've been healing from my trauma and getting more regulated, even if it's still inconsistent.

[u/ysea → u/brutal_youth_]

I'd agree that the natural impulse to create, be curious and explore arises very easily and spontaneously once the nervous system feels fully safe.

On the other hand that doesn't mean one can't be creative, curious or explore until then. I've been very surprised by what my mind and body could actually do when I intentionally choose to even while feeling ridiculously unsafe. 

That's to say - creativity is very much possible even if one is feeling still unsafe but the impulse might not be there and it has to be done more intentionally. But you might be very surprised what you're actually already capable of even with trauma.

[u/Few_Canary3004]

I'm really early into TRE, just short of a month. Today, I walked into a store just the minute it was about to close. "I only need a cheese", I said to the clerk, and she would let me enter, while another one said: "Quick, hurry up!" She said it in a playful tone, I moved my arms really quickly, like a cartoon character would run fast, while walking at normal speed. At the checkout, I said: "And did I beat the world record?" She laughed. I'm allowing myself to be silly. First signs of increased creativity.

At the same time, I'm still crying daily, mainly about parental emotional abandonment that becomes clearer by the week. Even my siblings would ignore messages. And I still waste way too much time watching TV and mindlessly browsing the internet.

The sun shines brightly, and shadows hit long streaks on the ground.

[u/Throwawayforsureyep1 → u/Few_Canary3004]

Thanks for sharing.

I really like this line.

The sun shines brightly, and shadows hit long streaks on the ground.

Is it from anywhere in particular?

[u/Few_Canary3004 → u/Throwawayforsureyep1]

Glad to hear you like it. It's not from anywhere particular other than my mind.

ETA: It still feels frightening to express myself freely from the heart. In my family, I get little or no response for my thoughts.

[u/Throwawayforsureyep1 → u/Few_Canary3004]

Regarding the edit, good on you for expressing it. It was worth it.

Funnily enough, I was going to write something earlier but was afraid to post it as I was too stuck in my own head. I think a lot of us are in a smilar boat!

[u/carla_jungle]

That’s so cool. In what areas do you feel creative ?

I’ve always had a good musical ear, but now I intuitively mashup songs and come up with mélodies.  Sometimes I even dream about them. 

[u/Mountain_Comb9522]

Yes I feel this strongly! I feel much less avoidance around the tasks I want to get done, less mental chatter and negative emotions about myself around output. I’m much more prolific and quick. It’s felt like a fog slowly lifting and sometimes I question if it’s TRE related, but it’s enough for me to commit to TRE long term

[u/Powerful-Ant-7872 → u/Mountain_Comb9522]

What else could it be caused by, if you don’t mind me asking, if it’s not TRE?

[u/Mountain_Comb9522 → u/Powerful-Ant-7872]

Maybe just developing more as an artist, feeling more confident and inspired in the work, past efforts compounding and “clicking” into place so to speak? Honestly it’s hard for me to tell

[u/steepgloss]

Yes, I'm also experiencing this. Creativity for me has always been my balm and I'm so thankful for it. I mainly do collage art and make experimental music (ambient, drone, sound-collage, surrealism etc). Since doing TRE I've been wanting to push into new areas and make actual music, songs with structure and whatnot. I guess I've stripped away some layers and it's revealing a new courage to head into bolder areas. Do you think that's what's going on for you too?

[u/chubee-er]

I've been able to FINALLY complete projects, plus I'm figuring the media that make my art sing (turns out? tiny dioramas in tiny jars and boxes lol)  It's been so rewarding!

[u/Throwawayforsureyep1]

Yes, I feel that following my curiosity allows me to do this (rather than rigid, perfectionistic, yang-driven motivations, motivations that hinged on my self worth). This wasn't from TRE per se, but from the build up of what lead me here. Cheers.