The Creative Present

Mastering Your Creative Flow: The Art of Directing Energy

Ever feel like you’re riding a wave of inspiration one minute, then stuck in a creative rut the next? That’s your energy talking, and it’s got a lot to say. In the latest episode of The Creative Present podcast, Joshua Townshend dives into the secret sauce of creativity: directing your energy flow at will. Whether you’re an actor commanding a stage, a writer scribbling in a quiet corner, or just navigating the chaos of everyday life, this is about taking the reins of your inner spark. Let’s unpack how to make your energy dance—on cue, on purpose, and with a whole lot of flair.

Energy isn’t just one thing—it’s a conversation between two directions: introversion and extroversion. Picture them as your breath, the inhale and exhale of your creative soul.

• Introverted Energy: The Inhale
  This is your quiet, inward pull. It’s the writer hunched over a desk, lost in thought, or the actor pausing to feel the weight of a line before it lands. It’s reflective, focused, a deep dive into your own sensations, emotions, and ideas. Think of it as curling up with a good book in your mind—cozy, intimate, all about you.
• Extroverted Energy: The Exhale
  This is the outward burst, the moment you let it rip. It’s the opera singer filling a theater with sound or the director rallying a crew on a bustling set. It’s expansive, connecting, alive with the world around you. Imagine stepping onto a stage, lights blazing, and feeling the crowd’s pulse sync with yours.

! Asking if introversion beats extroversion is like asking if inhaling beats exhaling. You need both. Without one, you’re not just out of balance—you’re out of breath. Creativity thrives when these energies flow together, like a dance you get to choreograph.

Too much extroversion? You’re that uncle at the family reunion, yammering away, chasing claps and laughs but losing touch with your own heart. You’re all output, no depth, tethered to everyone else’s reactions. It’s exhausting, like shouting into a void hoping for an echo.

Too much introversion? That’s you, locked in your head, spinning in circles. You’re so deep in your own thoughts you forget there’s a world out there. It’s the dinner guest who just nods—“Fine, fine”—while the conversation sails by. Your energy’s stuck, bottled up.

The sweet spot? It’s not about picking a side—it’s about having both on speed dial. You want to inhale to recharge, exhale to connect, and switch between them like a pro. That’s what it means to direct your energy at will.

What does this look like?

• Control: You pick the direction—introverted focus or extroverted fire—without second-guessing.
• Adaptability: You shift gears on the fly. Quiet reflection in a library? Got it. Rowdy banter in an Irish pub? Bring it.
• Stamina: You keep the flow going without burning out, like a marathon runner pacing their stride.

This is where you read the room—not just noticing the vibe, but joining it, shaping it. Walk into a hushed library, and your energy dials down, matching the soft rustle of pages. Stroll into a lively bar, and you’re laughing, clinking glasses, fully in the mix. It’s not about faking it; it’s about syncing up, staying true to yourself while meeting the moment.

1. Check In with Yourself
   Two or three times a day, pause. Where’s your energy at? Are you inhaling—lost in your thoughts—or exhaling, chatting up a storm? Is it balanced, or are you stuck in one gear? Ask: Am I choosing this, or is it choosing me? If you’re retreating to recharge, cool. If you’re hiding out of fear, nudge yourself back into the world.
2. 
   

Creating Your Body Of Work: Embracing Vertical Time

This work is for anyone who wished to enter the realm of the Conscious Creator - and go deep into the well of "All That Is" and make their work impactful and universal.

Creativity is a river that runs through our lives, sometimes rushing, sometimes meandering, but always present. It's not confined to the moments we sit down to write, paint, or perform—it's woven into the fabric of our existence.

Let's dig into this and explore the idea of having breathtaking clarity, inviting us to define and redefine our "body of work." How? By stepping into the timeless flow of vertical time. This isn't just about finishing projects; it's about living creatively, deeply, and consciously. Let's dive into how this perspective illuminates our creative lives' fleeting sparks and enduring currents.

Your Body of Work: A Living, Breathing Tapestry

Picture a painter's portfolio or a writer's shelf of novels. That's a body of work, right? Sure—but it's only part of the story. What if your *life* is the canvas? Every brushstroke counts: the way you arrange your living room, the laughter shared over a spontaneous road trip, the unfinished poem crumpled in a drawer. These aren't side notes to your creativity—they're the heartbeat.

Your body of work isn't just the polished pieces you show the world. It's the roles you've embodied, the relationships you've nurtured, the dreams you've chased (even the ones that slipped away). It's the quiet moments of reflection and the loud, messy failures that taught you more than success ever could. Short-term bursts—like a sudden inspiration for a scene or a melody—feed into the long-term arc of who you're becoming. Zooming out, you'll spot the threads: recurring themes, unspoken questions, and a signature uniquely yours.

The Roots Beneath the Bloom

Creativity doesn't spring from nowhere. Is "that" project tugging at your soul today? It's not random. It's a flower blooming from roots that stretch deep—sometimes years, sometimes generations, into the past. Maybe the story you're writing echoes your mother's unspoken ambitions. Perhaps the film you're directing carries your grandfather's resilience or your culture's quiet ache. These aren't just ideas; they're inheritances.

Short-term creativity—like a burst of energy to sketch or brainstorm—often feels immediate, but it's tethered to something bigger. Ask yourself: *Why now? What's this really about?* The answers might surprise you. That quick doodle could be a seedling of a lifelong passion. That half-formed script might be wrestling with a question you've carried since childhood. Long-term creativity emerges when we honor these roots, letting them guide us deeper.

Vertical Time: Where Art Breathes

We're conditioned to see time as a straight line—horizontal, predictable, marching from start to finish. You begin a project, you push through, you wrap it up. Done. But creativity doesn't obey that rhythm. It thrives in *vertical time*—a space of depth, presence, and immersion.

Think of the last time you lost yourself in a film or a song. Time didn't just stop; it expanded. You weren't racing toward an end—you were *in it*, fully alive. That's vertical time: not a checklist, but a plunge into the moment. Horizontal time drives us forward with deadlines and goals; vertical time pulls us downward, into meaning and connection.

Short-term creativity sparkles here—a flash of insight, a sudden line of dialogue. But we build something enduring in the long-term dance with vertical time. It's the difference between skimming five blocks on a bike and digging five blocks deep into the earth. One's a breeze; the other's a feat of courage and craft.

The Beautiful Cost of Depth

Going deep isn't easy. It's not a casual stroll—it's an excavation. You're working against the gravity of distraction, doubt, and the urge to rush. But oh, the reward.

Today, we'll explore how moving from the ordinary to the non-ordinary can unlock new creative possibilities.

From Patterns to Chaos to Growth

We all live in patterns. As creatives, we have routines, habits, and ways of approaching our craft. These patterns are essential—they help us navigate the complexities of storytelling, character development, and the creative process. However, staying too long in the same pattern can limit growth. That's where the magic of breaking patterns comes into play.

When we consciously break a pattern, whether it's a habitual way of thinking, creating, or even something as simple as breathing or moving, we enter a period of chaos. And chaos, while destabilizing, is where true transformation happens. It's the space between the old and the new. As artists, that in-between place, filled with openness and possibility, is where creativity flourishes.

Embracing Chaos with Excitement

I recently talked with someone who asked, "Don't you feel anxious or destabilized when you break these patterns?" My answer was simple: I enjoy it. I embrace those moments of uncertainty and excitement. It's a process I've come to love because it leads to creative and personal breakthroughs.

There was one exception, though. I once pushed myself a bit too far with a breathing exercise—going beyond my limits in pranayama (a yogic breathing technique)—and had to take half a day to re-center. But even then, the experience taught me the importance of boundaries, limits, and knowing when to rest. That's part of the creative process, too.

The Power of Non-Ordinary Actions

Lately, I've been reflecting on some simple ways I break patterns in my life. It doesn't have to be dramatic—sometimes, it's as simple as breathing differently. On average, we take in 6 to 12 breaths per minute. But what happens when you slow that down to just one breath per minute? You step into the non-ordinary, creating space for new awareness and perception.

Or take walking. Most of us naturally walk forward, so I asked myself, "What if I walked backward?" By doing this consistently, I'm not just reversing my movement—I'm opening up new sensory experiences, expanding my perception, and breaking out of the ordinary.

Even something as small as which leg you use to step up onto a curb can be a place to experiment. I noticed that I always used my right leg, so I started consciously using my left leg. These small, non-ordinary actions are ways to cultivate awareness, and in turn, they open up creative possibilities.

40 Days of Exploring Place and Presence

Now, I'm taking this concept of breaking patterns even further. Starting on the Fall Equinox, I'm embarking on a 40-day challenge. Each day, I'll go to a new location—a place I've never been before—or, if it's somewhere I've visited, I'll treat it as if it's entirely new.

The goal? Experience each place with a fresh perspective and a heightened sense of presence. Places hold history, resonance, and energy. By being present in a space, we can tap into those vibrations and connect more deeply with our surroundings.

The Random Journey: Using the Randonautica App

One tool I'll be using during this 40-day journey is the Randonautica app. This app uses a random number generator to provide coordinates for new locations. I spoke with one of the app's creators and am excited to experiment with it by visiting five different places in a single day. It's a chance to layer experiences, challenge perceptions, and explore the concept of place as a character.

Place as Character, Character as Place

There's an old saying that "place is character, and character is place." We often overlook the history and resonance of places, especially in our fast-paced, modern lives. Indigenous cultures have long recognized the sacredness of place, and I think there's something powerful we can learn from that.

For instance, we memorialize the event when a tragedy happens by marking the place. Even if a building is torn down, its energy and history remain. We must honor that, both in life and in our creative work. The place profoundly impacts character, story, and the creative process.

Crossing Thresholds: Embracing Change

Every time you cross a threshold, something shifts—stepping through a door or transitioning into a new creative phase. These moments of crossing over bring change, not only externally but internally. Our thoughts, feelings, and breathing patterns adjust to our new space.

As we move through the Equinox, a time of balance and change, I encourage you to embrace these shifts. Explore new places, break old patterns, and allow yourself to move beyond the ordinary.

Join Me on the Journey

Thank you for joining me in exploring breaking patterns, embracing chaos, and deepening your creative process. If you're inspired by what you've heard, I invite you to take up one of these approaches to support your creative life. 

Together, we can continue to explore the unknown, expand our creative possibilities, and grow beyond the ordinary.

Let's see what new discoveries await.

Stay curious, stay creative.

Welcome to The Creative Present! Today, we're diving deep into a topic that hits close to home for many creatives—breaking free from patterns. Whether you're an artist, actor, writer, or just someone looking to explore your own narrative, understanding and expanding beyond repetitive patterns is crucial. It’s about giving space to your space, allowing spaciousness in your work, and going beyond the boundaries of time and space.

Patterns: More Than You Think

We all have patterns. They can be patterns of behavior, We all have patterns. They can be patterns of behavior, thought, or even feeling. Think of a loop—patterns are like loops that repeat over time. In creative work, these patterns can have a huge impact on how we perceive a character or a narrative. If we break down these loops and explore them, we can discover new layers that lie within the pattern. This opens up a whole world of possibilities.

But how do we break these patterns? That’s what I’m here to explore with you.

Breaking the Loop

Imagine your favorite character in a video game. There’s a term called NPC, or non-playing character, in gaming. These characters are designed with limited behaviors—they can only do a few specific things like taking your order or crossing their arms impatiently. You’ll see them repeating the same small loop of behavior over and over. They are limited by design.

Now, let’s consider how this concept applies to characters in film, theater, or even our personal lives. While the loop might be bigger for the main character, it still exists. Patterns of behavior or traits are often repeated, limiting the character’s possibilities. But what if we could break that loop?

Let’s say you’re writing or playing a very buttoned-up, uptight accountant. The natural instinct is to keep that character rigid, defined by their job. But what if you introduced something unexpected? Maybe this accountant wears playful, colorful socks—grounded in reality, but it adds dimension. It’s these small details that break the pattern and offer more depth. Suddenly, the character becomes more than their loop, more real, more human.

Iconic Examples of Pattern Breaking

In the movie Apocalypse Now, we see a general step outside the expected loop when he says, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” It’s unexpected, but it’s one of the most memorable lines in cinema. Similarly, Dennis Hopper’s character in Blue Velvet uses an oxygen mask mid-conversation. These moments aren’t arbitrary—they’re grounded in the character’s reality—but they expand what we thought the character was capable of.

Breaking patterns can be transformative, both for the character and the audience.

The Loop Within Us

It’s not just characters—people, too, have loops. We repeat the same emotional cycles—whether it’s anger, frustration, or sadness—because something in that loop isn’t being completed. It’s like a record skipping over the same part. As creatives, we can dig into these loops, exploring and amplifying them in our narratives to create breakthroughs.

When we break these loops, chaos often follows, and in that chaos is the opportunity for growth and realignment. This is where transformation happens, both for our characters and for ourselves.

Key Takeaways for Your Creative Journey:

• Identify Patterns: Recognize the loops in your characters and yourself. Where do things get stuck? What emotional cycles keep repeating?

• Break the Loop: Open up possibilities by introducing something unexpected but grounded in reality. This creates depth and makes your characters more dynamic.

• Allow Chaos: When a pattern is broken, chaos often follows. Embrace it—it’s an opportunity for realignment and growth.

• Give Space to Your Space: Allow spaciousness in your creative work. Explore the moments between the loops, where new discoveries can happen.

• Explore Beyond Time and Space: Let go of the limitations your narrative imposes. Go beyond what's expected and play with possibilities that stretch the boundaries of your character’s world.

By breaking patterns and allowing spaciousness, we open up our creative work to new levels of discovery. Whether you’re working on a character in a story or exploring your own inner loops, this process brings transformation. So, next time you find yourself or your character stuck in a loop, remember: there’s always room to break free and discover what’s beyond.

Thanks for joining me on this journey! Let’s continue to explore, create, and expand beyond our limitations together.

Welcome back to The Creative Present! I’m Joshua Townshend, your host, and today we’re diving into something essential for all creatives: the subordinate image. Whether you’re an actor, writer, or artist of any kind, this concept can transform your work in profound ways. Let’s explore how!

What Is a Subordinate Image?

A subordinate image is the image behind the image—it's the underlying emotion, experience, or thought that breathes life into your art. Think of it as the unseen force that gives depth to the words you speak or write.

Words alone are neutral. They only take on meaning when charged with emotion and experience. For instance:

• "I love you" or "I hate you" hold power only when we inject them with the emotions and experiences behind those words.

The subordinate image makes the difference between words that are flat and words that resonate.

Why Subordinate Images Matter

Subordinate images allow you to:

• Add depth to your performance: They transform neutral words into emotionally charged experiences.

• Create a personal connection: They help you relate the material to your own life, making your performance more genuine.

• Engage your audience: By tapping into real emotions, you create an experience that your audience can feel, not just hear or see.

Real-World Example: A Voice Actor’s Journey

Recently, I worked with a talented voice actor who’s been in the game for years. He’s a true pro—impeccable delivery, great voice, and highly sought after. In one of our sessions, I introduced him to the concept of the subordinate image.

Here’s what happened:

• First take: He delivered the lines as he normally would—perfectly professional, clear, and crisp. But it lacked that extra something.
• Second take: He applied the subordinate image, connecting the words to deeper emotions and experiences.

A Quick Breakdown: How to Use Subordinate Images

Here’s how you can start applying subordinate images to your creative process, whether you're acting, writing, or anything in between:

• Connect with your personal experience: Find the emotional undercurrent of what you’re saying or writing. What does it mean to you?

• Infuse words with meaning: Imagine the hidden emotions behind each phrase. If you’re describing a "red sports car," is it a symbol of freedom? Power? Speed? Let that guide your delivery.

• Create deeper layers: Even if a specific word isn’t charged with emotion (like "grain of sand"), bring an image or feeling to it. The more layers, the more engaging your work becomes.

Why This Matters for Every Creative

This technique isn’t just for voice actors. Writers, filmmakers, and stage actors can all benefit from connecting with subordinate images. The more you can tap into these deeper emotional layers, the more authentic and compelling your work will be.

By using subordinate images, you’re not just telling a story—you’re living it, and you’re inviting your audience to live it with you.

Takeaways:

• Words are neutral until you infuse them with subordinate images.
• Connect with the emotion behind the words to bring your work to life.

• Subordinate images help create a deeper, more genuine connection with your audience.

Let’s keep exploring these ideas, and remember: It’s not just about what’s on the surface—it’s about the layers of emotion and experience beneath.

Thanks for joining me on this journey into the creative process! Stay present, stay creative, and I’ll see you next time.