What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “know your creative cycles”?

“Cycles” remind me that nature breathes new life in different seasons. Similarly, you follow that pattern when creating anything. There is a specific time for a specific activity.

Every creative discovers their own cycle. If you conduct a quick Google search, you will a variety of perspectives. However, there are some common denominators that involve three major phases:

• Time to consume information or explore new interests
• Going on hermit mode and integrating what you consumed
• Time to create and share (if you’re called to share)

There’s no ‘one size fits all’. Not every cycle is meant for creation. There is no set timeline for each phase of your personal process. Only you determine where you are and when it’s time to move to the next part.

Heck. Your creative cycles might not even sound like the ones listed above.

There might be long periods of contemplation where it looks as if “you’re not doing anything”. As Austin Kleon puts it, “I’m not languishing, I’m dormant”. This stage is as important as any other to create.

It’s a matter of asking yourself: What do I know about my creative cycles?

Sometimes, it can be daunting to identify with precision what they are. This could be even trickier if you consider your process to be a little “messy”. Kelly Helsinger, in her article How to Honor Your Creative Cycle, provides a few pointers from her own experience as an artist.

I’m focusing on three for the sake of simplicity.

Timelines

If you’re someone who’s been working on a project for a while, you know rushing is out of the equation.

At all times, you decide how long each phase takes. It all depends on your own pace. You will know when you’re ready to take action.

If you’re just beginning with a new endeavour, finding your rhythm is top priority. There are not set rules to define how much time you need to move from one point to another. As you move forward, you get to know your creative cycles.

How frequently do you need to work on your project to make significant progress? Be realistic. There’s other activities or responsibilities in your life that also require your attention.

Linearity

Some days, you may spend most of your day consuming relevant content to your craft to ignite a spark. Other days, there’s lots of fuel to create without going on hermit mode.

Sometimes, hermit mode takes most of your days. It could also take weeks or even months. Giving yourself time to assimilate all that you’ve consumed is an essential step to take before creating anything.

Are there any specific days of the week where you’re at your most active point? Take note of those days.

Are there any other days when you feel more like consuming relevant content to your craft? Take note of that, too.

How about your levels of energy in spring, summer, fall, and winter? You can plan your year accordingly.

Multiple Cycles

Recently, I decided to go into the self-publishing business. In 2022, my first book, Kaleidoscope Eyes, hit the market. I’ve always been curious about this independent route as a writer, and I’ve absorbed as much information as possible.

At the same time, this new interest aligned perfectly with a cycle I started in my high school days: writing stories on notebooks.

Back then, I didn’t know they were raw material for full books. I just wrote for the joy of doing it.

Who knew these cycles would collide as time went by?

There might be a few cycles aligning for you, too. What interests you these days? How do they relate to that one project you’re currently working on?

 

Another key component of knowing your creative cycles is community. It’s also quite common to find blog articles that state the importance of connecting with like-minded people to share experiences and find support. While this is definitely part of any creative journey, it’s also essential to make time to be on your own and concentrate on your work.

Austin Kleon refers to this balance as ‘hide and seek’. You disconnect from the crowd and, later on, you come back to mingle and see how everyone is doing.

When you’re in your cycle of creation, resting is part of the job. Contrary to the hustle culture, sometimes you need to pause to recharge and allow yourself to live your life. You have family, friends or pets. Or all of the above. It’s okay to give yourself a break to retake your craft with a renewed vision.