A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away there was a universe full of creativity. Here are 3 inspiring creative lessons from Star Wars.
Star Wars has captivated the world for more than 46 years. Inspiring creatives across many different fields and industries. George Lucas and his creativity have fundamentally changed Hollywood and filmmaking in several ways, as well as other cultural impacts on the world continues to this day. But what can we learn about creativity and creative living from a galaxy far, far away?
Face Your Fears
“Confronting Fear Is the Destiny of a Jedi. Your Destiny.”
Fear is an ongoing theme in Star Wars. It’s what consumed Anakin and turned him to the dark side. It created doubt in Luke Skywalker when training Ben Solo, which led to failure and the rise of Kylo Ren. Fear is the path to the dark side, but it wasn’t just the Sith who lived in fear. Everyone experiences fear, including Jedi Masters. The difference is how one confronts their fears.
Creatives know fear all too well. Fear can lead to creative blocks, and if creatives are consumed by fear, it can lead to a creative crisis of depression and loss of creativity. We cannot escape fear, and we cannot let it rule our lives. Those who live in fear create blocks that stop us from being curious, taking risks, and trying new and creative things. To overcome fear and live a life bursting with creative courage, you must recognize your fear, face it, and cultivate a growth mindset.
Star Wars Quotes About Fear
- “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” – Yoda
- “Named must your fear be before banish it you can.” – Yoda
- “A challenge lifelong it is, not to bend fear into anger.” – Yoda
- “Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.” – Yoda
- “Confronting fear is the destiny of a Jedi. Your destiny.” – Luke Skywalker
- “The greatest teacher, failure is. Luke, we are what they grow beyond. That is the true burden of all masters.” – Yoda
Tips
- Learn to Let Go
- Focus on what you can control and let go of what you can’t.
- Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
- Put yourself out there by trying new things, going to new places, and getting out of your comfort zone to not only befriend fear but also support your creative mind through your senses and new experiences.
- Embrace Imperfection
- Reward Yourself
- Play is an important part of the creative process and can even aid in producing creative ideas, befriending failure, and overcoming fears.
- Face Your Fears With Curiosity
- Curiosity is a crucial element of creativity and well-being. If you have a fear that’s running your life, explore it with curiosity to gain a better understanding of it and yourself to discover the source and start building a plan to overcome it.
- Face Fears With Imagination
- It can be hard to face fears head-on sometimes, so start with your imagination. Imagine the worst possible scenarios with your fear and how you can go about facing them. Explore the fear fully in your imagination until it loses its power and you gain better preparation and understanding.
There Is Always Hope
“This Is a New Day, a New Beginning.”
Hope is a simple yet powerful thing. From supporting the individual to keep going when all seems lost to igniting movements capable of changing the world and galaxy, hope is contagious and inspiring.
When the rebels were a small movement or even just a thought in the galaxy run by the crushing empire, hope was the spark that led to change across all planets in Star Wars. From small movements comes great change. If you’re facing difficulties in your creative life from fear, failure, or other challenges, find ways to cultivate and remind yourself that there is always hope. There is always a new day, a new opportunity, a new beginning.
When the empire defeated the Jedi and the Galactic Republic, and all seemed lost – what did the surviving Jedi and rebels do? They leaned into stillness and the solace of hope. No matter how dark times may seem, as long as you have hope, you can make it through the darkest of nights and rise again.
Star Wars Quotes About Hope
- “We are the spark that Will light the fire that Will burn the first order down.” – Poe Dameron
- “We have hope. Rebellions are built on hope!” – Jyn Erso
- “This is a new day, a new beginning.” – Ahsoka Tano
- “Never tell me the odds.” – Han Solo
- “Hope is like the sun. If you only believe in it when you see it, you’ll never make it through the night.” – Leia Organa
- “In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.” – Yoda
- “We have hope. Hope that things Will get better. And they Will.” – Hera Syndulla
Tips
- Cultivate hope through affirmations to replace negative thinking patterns.
- Cultivate a zen beginner’s mindset, also known as a growth mindset, to combat failure, fear, and hopelessness.
- Practice journaling to gain perspective on negative thoughts and remind yourself of what you’re grateful for to cultivate hope.
- Find hopeful inspiration from books, movies, etc.
- Set goals (long, medium, and short-term) to measure progress and give yourself something to aim at when feeling hopeless.
- Find and reach out to your creative community – You don’t have to go it alone. As helpful as solitude can be for the creative process, you still need community, collaboration, and feedback to improve creativity.
Find Stillness
“Your Focus Determines Your Reality.”
The force is all around us, but how can you tap into it if your attention is on the past, the future, or anywhere except right here, right now? When you’re not in the present moment, anxieties can rise when overthinking things out of your control. When Qui-Gon Jinn reminded his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi to stay present, this was to ease anxieties and to help him not be so focused on the future and give his full attention to the present moment to be most productive on that task at hand.
Stillness and mindfulness are key to tapping into the force and its many benefits in Star Wars. For Creatives, staying present connects your mind, body, and focus to the present moment to be productive and at peace. Instead of focusing on things out of your control, you can be present and cultivate a calm mind for infinite creative potential.
Star Wars Quotes About Stillness
- “Don’t center on your anxieties, Obi-Wan. Keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs.” – Qui-Gon Jinn
- “A Jedi must have the deepest commitment. The most serious mind.” – Yoda
- “Remember, concentrate on the moment. Feel, don’t think. Trust your instincts.” – Qui-Gon Jinn
- “Your focus determines your reality.” – Qui-Gon Jinn
Tips
- Make meditation a habit by doing it at the same time and same place every day.
- Try different types of meditation. To find what works best for you as well as keep things fresh and spark creative flow.
- Use your breath as an anchor when the mind begins to wander.
- Start a meditation journal to track progress and explore thoughts that may arise.
- Learn the many health and creative benefits of meditation.
- Try unique and creative ways to meditate to keep your mind active and fresh.
- Learn how to connect your mind and body in stillness with Enso Meditation.
- Find stillness on a creative meditation retreat.
- Try these 10 creative and unique meditation apps.
- Discover more creative meditation tips.
Zach is an international writer, photographer, filmmaker, martial artist, and creator of Creative Enso, the Zen art of creative living. His goal is to empower and inspire creatives to live healthier, happier, and more creative lifestyles.
