Amale Bouzlafa

This idea came to mind while reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic. I would recommend this book to any artist or creator; it’s a life-changing book for people who struggle with perfectionism and artists addicted to suffering. We all have heard this sentence in one form or another: “Yes, I use my pain to create.” But this pain that helps you create can quickly become indispensable, and then you struggle to create without it. Soon, this pain that was helping you create becomes the one thing without which you can’t create. And we all know how an artist or creator becomes when they can’t create anymore – it drains you, it depresses you, and it slowly kills you.

Art and creativity are supposed to bring peace and light. They are supposed to be bright and even to heal; at least, I aspire to create healing art. It’s also supposed to be fun and light, not gloomy and dark. Art should be a source of joy, not a source of anxiety. In every religious or spiritual text, you will find it in one form or another: we all have a part of the Creator in us, which means we are also creators. What’s an artist if not a creator? Since we all have a part of the Creator in us, we are all artists in essence. The power of creating is within…

You don’t need “talent” to create, the ability to create is already within you, it’s a natural human urge. I love to think of art and creativity as medicine…a human putting all their suffering, emotions, and painful memories into a canvas, music, or a piece of paper is the most beautiful piece of art. However, we should normalize the art of healing, not the art of suffering. We often romanticize the tortured artist, the creator who thrives on chaos and pain. But what if we shifted this narrative? What if we embraced the idea that creativity can come from joy, peace, and brings healing? Creating from a place of love and light doesn’t diminish the depth or significance of the art; it enhances it. By focusing on healing, we can produce works that resonate with a sense of hope and possibility.

In Gilbert’s words, “Creativity is sacred, and it is not sacred. What we make matters enormously, and it doesn’t matter at all. We toil alone, and we are accompanied by spirits. We are terrified, and we are brave. Art is a crushing chore and a wonderful privilege. Only when we are at our most playful can divinity finally get serious with us. Make space for all these paradoxes to be equally true inside your soul, and I promise—you can make anything. So please calm down now and get back to work, okay? The treasures that are hidden inside you are hoping you will say… yes.”

This quote captures the essence of what it means to create… It’s a reminder that art is filled with paradoxes and contradictions, and that’s what makes it so powerful. It’s a reminder to embrace these contradictions, to find balance, and to let go of the idea that creativity requires pain. 

This idea of using pain to create isn’t necessarily bad and can actually bring healing. As long as you use the pain to create and don’t let the pain use you to create. It’s a subtle but significant difference… When you use pain to create, you are in control. You are channeling your experiences into your work, transforming your struggles into something beautiful and meaningful. But when pain uses you, it becomes an unnecessary assistance, a dependency that blocks your ability to create freely and joyfully. Imagine a world where artists and creators are celebrated for their healing and growth just as much as for their struggle and pain. And instead of romanticizing the art of suffering, romanticizing the art of healing… A world where the creative process is seen as a journey towards wholeness, rather than a descent into darkness. By embracing this perspective, we can create art that not only expresses our deepest truths but also uplifts, empowers and inspires others.

I want to encourage you to make a conscious choice to create from a place of light. To actually honor the healing power of art and recognize that we don’t need to suffer to produce meaningful work. We can choose instead to reclaim our creative power and use it to bring more beauty, hope, and positivity into the world… You’ll start to realize that creating is a divine act, a way to connect with our inner selves and with others. It’s a way to leave a mark on the world, to share our unique perspective, and to contribute to the collective. So, let’s start creating not from a place of suffering, but from a place of joy, peace, love, and healing…

Trusting it will bring some light to someone’s shadow,

Amale 💫💙