The Tide Changes Four Times A Day
Creativity can exist anywhere it likes. Admittedly, it thrives in some states better than others. That depends on the person. Some people are more creative when happy and secure. Others are more creative when they're consumed by their thoughts and need a way to get it out.
I fall into the latter category. I find storylines in my nightmares. Pieces I write in the depths of my depression tend to be the most honest and fluid. Obsessive states cause me to fixate on a thought or feeling for so long that I have no choice to dissect it, even when it makes me uncomfortable. In this cloud, I find patterns and symbolism. Characters become clearer, messages become deeper. The negativity is overwhelming but eventually transmutes. It is hard to be afraid of something when you have chosen to break it down instead. It is cyclical, however. The fear returns, it is transmuted once more. As a result, much of what I create is dark, though I enjoy weaving some element of hope and humor into my work. I might be morbid, but I still like pretty flowers and sunshine.
When I am feeling happy and secure, I edit and organize. I research, check my facts, and look for places to send my work. I go down rabbit holes of writing tips and tricks. I game plan, but I don't create. I have tried very hard to accept that this is just my nature. The chemicals of my brain move in and out like the ocean, and I have had to learn to respect that and allow myself the space to respond accordingly. It is not preferable, but it is natural.