Making Content Creation A Conscious And Authentic Experience

7 Minute Read 

Do you feel a block around creating content? You are not alone, in many of my discovery calls, I hear female founders share that they have a “block” around social media, creating content and feeling like they just want to show up authentically. But fears arise, imposter syndrome kicks in, and self doubt takes hold! Fear not! Audiences are paying with their values now, they care about authenticity, transparency and empathy. The “pressure”, which feels awfully masculine to a female founder, to write, create content, have this never ending to-do list, has the potential to interfere with the creation process itself, inhibit creativity, and result in blockages/burnout. Whether you create content as a means of self-expression or as your heart centered work, it is imperative to express yourself in the best and most authentic way possible. When you align your content creating process with your core values and feminine approaches, you will feel energized by the work you do because you are less likely to get caught up in the masculine of timelines, to do lists, and deliverables. You will write and create from a heart-centered space, leaving you feeling easy in the content creation process. This isn’t always the simplest thing to do. It requires being intentional, using intuition, creating in a space that stimulates rather than stifles, and making content creation something that inspires you. If you want to make creating content a conscious experience, here are 3 ways on how to do it. Feel free to take with you what resonates and leave the rest, the goal here is to simplify not overwhelm. 

1. Make It A Ritual

Too often we get lost in the day-to-day of the business world and capitalistic principles. If we go too far down this path, we might be left wondering why we even love to create in the first place. That is why it is so important to keep content creating a creative and soulful process. Creating allows you to express yourself, show the world what matters most to you, and can add profound joy to your life. When you set out to create something, make the process a ritual. Make it your own. 

Find “Pops” of Inspiration

Rather than use lists or agendas, continually recenter yourself and remain intentional by focusing instead on “pops.” “Pops” stands for purpose, outcome, and process. By writing out the purpose of your project, you will be brought back to your intention, keeping you on track and reminding you of the reason why you are creating, what you hope to get out of creating, and how you will meet your goals. Keep your purpose, outcome, and process on a paper or digital note near by to keep your vision cohesive and authentically aligned. This is your anchor. 

Focus on Deep Work

To keep your content creating a conscious experience, make it a moment just for you. When you sit down to create, only bring what you need with you. If you are writing on a computer, keep your email inbox closed, your phone turned down, and make it a space of clear possibilities. Of course, if part of your process is leaning into thoughts and emotions as you think and feel them, do that. The point of this exercise is to help you focus on the task at hand, not interfere with your process.

Set Up Your Space

The ambiance of the space in which you create will affect how you feel about the process. Write in a space that inspires you. Light candles, dim the lights, and put on some background music that you love. You have the opportunity to create a room that makes you happy and, if possible, engage all of your senses. It is easy to lose track of time while writing, so keep water, tea, and essentials nearby.

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2. Create The Vibe

Creating the vibe is all about setting you up in a mindset and space that will inspire you and that will make creating and writing work best for you. 

Visualize

Sometimes when you set out to create, you have so many ideas that you can hardly keep track of them. Rather than lose inspiration, lay it all out in front of you. If you have a whiteboard, take some time before you start to flush out all your ideas. Hang sticky notes on the wall with key ideas and things you want to remember. I personally love taking notes in a journal or in Evernote. You now have a guide to hold you as you make your way through the writing process and creation.

Do What Works Best for You

Everyone creates differently. Some people prefer to jump into a project and see where they land. Others do well with more methodical outlining so that they have a clear vision of how they want to create. Regardless, write and create in whatever way feels best to you. If you want to sit at a desk, that’s great. If you want to write on your laptop while lying in bed, that’s amazing too. The important part is that you are supported and comfortable.

Prioritize Self-Care

When you sit down at the computer take a few intentional deep breaths, too often we look at this with a ‘need to get done’ attitude vs. a moment to be truly present with your offerings that you are bringing into the world. Take this meditative moment to really think about what you want to do and why. Remember that you already have everything you need right in that moment and that whatever you create will be special because you made it. When you start to feel stressed, sit with those feelings for a moment and then let them go. Enjoy the journey of the process.

3. Make A Date With Yourself

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The fact that any of us can create something is a really special thing that needs to be celebrated more often. It is not always easy, but if you remember that you create not because you have to, but because it is driving you closer to your dreams, helping others and most importantly finding yourself enjoying as many parts of the process as you can, even the hard ones.

Take Conscious Note 

For a month I encourage you to start to track the hours where you feel fully focused, aligned and in a creative flow. Free from distraction and feeling easy. These are your hours to create. Make these windows the blocks of time and dates you have set for yourself, blocked out in your calendar. You now have a standing date with yourself for creation, writing and being fully present with the task at hand. 

Celebrate Yourself

Writing is a long process and you might not immediately see the payoff or feel like you have accomplished anything. Set small milestones, keep them nearby and reward yourself with appreciation and treats when you reach them. You can celebrate all parts of the process. You deserve it and so does your writing.

Creativity in the strangest of places 

Creativity strikes at the strangest of times, which is not surprising, when we are in a relaxed state ideas come flowing to us. This could be on a walk in nature, while in the shower, or just before falling asleep. Take notice of the places where ideas feel like a rush of creative inspiration, keep the essentials accessible in those spaces, a journal, notebook and pad nearby will help. While it may feel weird to keep a notebook near the shower, it might just have your next great idea. Remember to keep revisiting these notebooks and taking time to compile them together. 

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4. Get Clear On Your Why

Find Your Purpose

To consciously create and feel clear about why you are creating and who you are creating for, frequently revisit why you do what you do. What you are here to teach, lead, trail blaze through. Revisit your mission, your vision, and your value proposition. Why does sharing make you happy? Who do you want to serve most? At any point, you can come back to this thought, meditate on it and get reacquainted to the bigger purpose at hand. 

Visualize Inspiration

Create inspiration and keep it near you. You can create a vision board that depicts all your content creating goals and keep it near your writing station, or create lists of things that inspire you about what you do and refer back to them often. If you are writing for your ideal client, put yourself in their shoes and imagine how they will feel as they read what you’ve written. When we create from a heart centered space to serve, our readers, community and audience, they can feel this. 

Ask Yourself Questions

When writing, it is easy to get caught up in your own head and delay your process. One way to help you get into the flow of writing is asking yourself creative questions. When you ask yourself these questions, your answers will be the inspiration for the words you write. Allow yourself to free flow, to let the words and ideas come out of you. Write whatever you feel without doubting yourself. Broaden your horizon and let your concept evolve, remember you will always stay true to your original intention. You can always take note of the questions that really pull out the juicy good stuff, make those insight questions, your go to! 

Here at Inside/Outside we lead work from an intentional and heart centered space, if you’re looking for a little extra support, accountability, clarity, or systems for your business. Book a free 30 minute discovery call with us.