BREAKING THROUGH BREAK!

Recently I came across the term creative thinking in one of the psychology books.

It had many sub-points and one such certain point grabbed my attention.

The term was INCUBATION.

Now what does incubation exactly mean?

It is not at all a strenuous, arduous or onerous Psychological term.

It is a phase which everybody feels somewhere sometimes.

And I certainly felt that this is it what I was feeling; I was going through.

A writer, an artist, a chef, a songwriter, lyricist, editor, any creative person, or just a scribbler like me first starts working on the project but after working for hours we may not get that vibe, that aura, that solution, that exact thing which we are in search of for our project. This initial failure leads to the incubation stage. In this stage we firstly start to avoid doing our work or even may think of giving up. We start focusing on other things which catch our attention and which are usually unrelated to the problem.

(Wise words of self experience!)

But initially I think this incubation period eventually helps us to work on our project subconsciously. Without actually thinking about it.

So In our simpler language we can just term this phase as –

TAKING A BREAK 

Relaxing.

Or

INTERVAL

Just like the school one, when we would take our minds off from our studies.

Or

INTERMISSION 

Just like the one while watching movies.

Actually INTER-MISSION is absolutely very necessary if you have a MISSION to do.

Waiting for the right moment of inspiration is essential. Every creative process requires time. Otherwise it will be monotonus. 

No doubt!

Routine is important.

The great English poet W.H. Auden has said, “ Routine in an intelligent man is a sign of ambition ".

But sometimes our inner subconscious mind signals, hints, and you subtly understand that everything is Not OK.

The ingredients which we are using may not taste good, the colours we are blending together may not look good, the words which we are writing may never Convert into something meaningful, the paragraph which we have written may not develop into a novel. This is the moment when we come to know that we should stop and have a break.

Outwardly we may appear normal but our mind keeps on searching and thinking. If we are wise enough to understand we will act accordingly.

Taking break at the right time enhances concentration, energy, creativity and every other good thing that we require to pursue our project.

But what after it?

Does the person always remain incubated?

How long should a break be?

Taking a break is important but how much we are attached to our project defines everything. Sense of commitment. You may say. Coming or returning back from the break after all is very important. If the break is too long it will surely spoil the work.

Psychologically, the next phase after incubation is illumination. We don't have to do much. Just like a flash of light the correct vibe, the much needed aura, the appropriate solution appears in our mind. All the bits and pieces which had felt unrelated at first fall into place. This is the phase of immense joy and relief. This is the phase when we start loving our work more and more.

So, if you feel like taking a break, next time, do take one!