I am not a neuroscientist, but luckily there are plenty of people who are. In particular Anne Laure Le Cunff, who has helped me understand a critical connection between anxiety and creativity.
In the last couple of years, as I’ve been exploring new pathways, I have often felt a surge of creativity and lightness, only to be weighed down by the flood of what-ifs and anxiety of doing something different.
The impact for me, and many others, is often staying stuck or staying within the familiar.
To get to the creative joy I know I want to feel, braving the wilderness is a must, and mindset is key.
Le Cunff breaks down the connection expertly:
“Curiosity activates many of the same brain regions, but with a crucial difference in framing. Instead of asking “What might go wrong?” curiosity asks “What might I discover?”
The anterior cingulate cortex, which processes uncertainty in both anxious and curious states, shifts from threat-detection mode to exploration mode. The prefrontal cortex, instead of ruminating on potential failures, begins generating possibilities.
Think of it like flipping a switch to change railroad tracks: the metaphorical locomotive of your mental energy doesn’t need to slow down, it just needs to be pointed in a different direction.”
(Source: https://nesslabs.com/anxiety-curiosity-switch)
Now, I understand the power of re-directing creative energy into action rather than letting anxiety take over.
And when I’m in that zone, anything is possible.. Just like..
Co-hosting an Open Mic Night.
Yup — I bet you didn’t see that coming!
The more I tune into my creative energy, the more I recognise that unmistakable feeling when something comes up and it’s a HELL YES from my gut.
That’s exactly what happened with Jo Ferrone (How Does She Do It / Soul Voice) and me, when the idea for the Open Mic Night was born.
We’ll both be sharing some form of spoken word. I’ll even be reading a few pieces of poetry (if you can call it that!) written during my time out. The thought feels uncomfortable, for sure, but…
- I know the power of sharing
- I know the courage that’s cultivated when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable — with ourselves and with each other.
- And I’ve witnessed, time and time again, the transformation that happens when we express ourselves from our hearts
In the past, I would have let that fear override my intuitive spark. But my friends, if we are not finding and acting on the magic in our lives, then what is the point?
So, if you’re feeling anxious about something — could you experiment with shifting direction into your creative zone instead? What could be possible if you channelled all that energy creatively?
For a little extra fire this grey Sunday morning, in the words of Donna Ashworth:
- “CRACK ON! Crack on with whatever it is you are doing to bring you a sliver of joy in this short life, my friends. Anyone with the time and the capacity to judge you, really needs to go and find their own magic. It is a dark road if you are travelling in disguise and loaded down with shame. Be unafraid to shine that quirky light. It will lead the way for so many and free your soul from the box you’ve been squashed into all this time.”
Speaking of cracking on, I’m more passionate than ever about creating sanctuaries of space for connection, creativity, and community.
The Open Mic Night is a space for all of that. So if you feel like:
– Spending an evening feeling connected with other creative souls
– Being inspired by what’s shared — or sharing something yourself!
– Expanding your community
Then join me and Jo Ferrone on Tuesday 21st October 7pm – 9pm! Details below! Only a couple of tickets left as it’s a small, intimate venue.
We hope to see you there!
With excitement,
Laura-Mai
