Navigating the "Slack Tides" in Life
It’s a skill to be able to recognize when a period of incubation is needed. I like to call it being in Slack Tide.
As a result of multiple life transitions, I spent many months sitting in the “slack tide” of my life. It’s a transitional period in which your inner waters are pooled together, moving in random directions against the current and not moving in any particular direction.
It was like nothing was happening, and there wasn’t a light on the horizon, but there wasn’t a desire to move backward at the same time into the known. It felt like a slow shedding of the skin, a long middle period of a larger transition. Like when the tunnel is too long and you are only moving in one direction but can’t see the opening. You know it’s there, but where?
Here are some of the discoveries I made from being in Slack Tide:
Bursts of energy are alert, focused efforts to make a real breakthroughs, to push through barriers and resolve a paradox.
Moments of relaxation are needed to allow the unconstrained, subconscious mind to work, make connections with past experience, analogies and weak signals picked up in an initial sensing phase.
‘cognitive incubation time’ often leads to different thinking around the problem and new ideas. Changing gears rather than quitting.
A slow hunch is the feeling an innovative idea or vision is to be found in a certain direction without been able to pinpoint it yet.
Recognizing when a period of incubation is needed for your creative process can be a valuable skill for any creative individual. Here are some signs that indicate that you might need a period of incubation:
You feel stuck: If you've been working on a creative project for a while, and you're starting to feel stuck or stagnant, it may be a sign that you need to step back and let your mind process the information.
You're facing a complex problem: If you're facing a complex creative problem that you can't seem to solve, it may be time to take a break and let your mind work through the problem unconsciously.
You're feeling burnt out: If you've been working on a creative project for an extended period and you're feeling burnt out, it may be time to take a break and allow yourself some space to recharge.
You're lacking inspiration: If you're lacking inspiration or creative ideas, it may be time to step back and allow your mind to process new information.
You're in a negative headspace: If you're in a negative headspace, it may be challenging to be creative. Taking a break and allowing yourself to relax can help you get back into a positive mindset.
In general, if you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or burnt out, it may be time to take a break and allow yourself some space to incubate your ideas. It's important to remember that incubation doesn't mean you're not actively working on your project - it's just a different type of work that requires a different kind of attention. By giving yourself the time and space to incubate your ideas, you'll likely come back to your project with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.