Last week, I was feeling pretty healed, strong. And then, I got some news that derailed me. My heart started to race, I was thrown back into the memory of a situation that was never resolved, and all the pain of that moment years ago came back like it was yesterday. I felt a little despair that all the work I have been doing to stay regulated was ruined.
But it wasn’t. In fact, I found out just how much good work I have been doing.
We are going to get dysregulated. World events, past traumas, current scenarios can dysregulate us. There are a few things we need to do to recover our peace when we get dysregulated:
- Learn to identify what happens in your body and mind when you are dysregulated so you recognize when it is happening.
- Talk to a trusted person who can validate and support you.
- Do a regulating activity that works for you (i.e. journal, howl at the moon, exercise).
It is normal to get dysregulated. There is a lot we have to face and sometimes it is just too much. But if we stay dysregulated, or even worse, if we invest in our dysregulation by feeding pain or fear or anger, we can do harm to ourselves and to others. Recognizing pain and fear, understanding where it comes from, and being regulated will equip you to get the information and resources that you need to act in your own and in others’ best interest.
What does this have to do with creativity?
During the Clarify Stage of the Creative Problem Solving process, we Explore the Vision, we Gather Data, and we Formulate Challenges. During dysregulation, we can imagine our desired future state (for me, knowing I can be regulated when I face the challenging, potentially emotional situation). We can gather information to get clarity on the challenge (for me, talking to people and getting validation and their perspectives). And, we formulate the challenge (for me, how might I maintain my regulation in this situation?).
The tools and skills of Creative Problem Solving, give you access to the creative mindset. When we enact our creative mindset we are connected, curious, and calm. In short, a regulated mind is a creative mind.