Reconnecting with Your Why

The following article was published in the MARCH/APRIL 2025 issue of the Visual Artists Ireland News Sheet 

At this time of year, many of us are knee-deep in funding applications, planning strategies, and forging ahead on creative projects. This collective urgency often brings a frantic energy- the impulse to “act now, think later!” But when we operate on autopilot, we risk locking ourselves into projects that might not serve our best interests or align with our core values.

Here’s a thought: What if, instead of focusing solely on what you’re working on, you shifted your attention to why you’re working on it? Whether you’re brainstorming a new idea or already deep in the trenches, now is the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and engage in honest self-inquiry.

To guide you through this process, I’ve outlined a three-stage framework to examine your past, present, and future motivations.

1. PAST: Reflect 

In our pursuit of growth and novelty,  we often overlook the insights and discoveries we’ve already made. Reflecting on your creative journey can uncover valuable threads to weave into your current work.

Start with this timeline exercise:

• Chart Your Milestones: Create a document and list the significant moments in your career in chronological order. A milestone could be a pivotal project, a residency, a major show, or even a transition into a new medium.

• Reflect on Shifts: Under each milestone, add bullet points detailing how it evolved your practice. Include new themes, ideas, techniques, processes or methodologies that emerged during that time.

• Build a Visual Archive: Add images of your most significant works- finished pieces or works-in-progress- from each phase. Include links to essays, books, films, or artworks that influenced you during that time.

Once your timeline is complete, reflect on it with these questions:

• What initial curiosity motivated each milestone?

• What themes or threads consistently run through your work?

• Are there ideas you’d forgotten that still excite you?

• Are there any unresolved ideas worth revisiting?

• How does your past work inform what you’re creating now?

Treat this timeline as a personal archive- a touchstone to revisit when preparing for a presentation, starting a new body of work, or grounding yourself in your broader practice. Update it as your practice evolves. 

2. PRESENT:  Assess 

Now turn your attention to your current projects and assess how well they align with your values and authentic interests. Use these journal prompts to dig deeper:

• Why am I drawn to this project?

• What do I hope to achieve?

• How does this project align with my long-term vision?

• Who is this project for?

• If no one ever saw this project, would I still want to create it?

• How will this project elevate or challenge my practice?

Next, check in with your emotions:

• Does this project excite me?

• Does it motivate me?

• Does it feel nourishing, or am I doing it out of obligation?

• Does the process seem as rewarding as the potential outcome?

Challenge your answers with a “five whys” exercise: for each response, ask why five times to uncover deeper motivations.

Finally, evaluate whether your reasons are primarily intrinsic (e.g., personal fulfillment, self-expression, growth), or extrinsic (e.g., recognition, financial gain, external validation)? Neither is inherently good or bad, and most projects will involve a blend of both. However, it’s worth remembering that intrinsic motivations often lead to work that feels more meaningful.

Additionally, pay attention to how your project resonates emotionally in your body. Excitement and curiosity usually signal alignment with your deeper values, while hesitation or dread may point to a misalignment. Trust these feelings as guides.

3. FUTURE: Define 

With a clearer understanding of your past insights and current motivations, it’s time to look ahead. Ask yourself: what criteria must a project meet for you to feel fulfilled?  Beyond practical considerations, focus on how you want to feel while making the work. Passion will fuel your motivation to follow through.

Define your non-negotiables. These are the criteria a project must meet for you to feel truly fulfilled. For example:

1. Exciting collaborations

2. Prominent platform for exposure

3. Feasibility within my resources

4. Potential to develop new skills

5. Travel opportunity

Narrow your list to your top five priorities. Then, use this simple scoring exercise:

Create a table with seven columns. Label them: “Opportunity,” your five non-negotiables, and “Score.” List your potential projects in the “Opportunity” column. For each project, assign a score out of 10 for how well it meets each criterion. Total the scores to determine which projects align most closely with your values and goals.

Your top three priorities require firm boundaries. Say no to distractions that don’t align with these projects, and protect your creative energy with rest and routines that sustain your focus. The beauty of defining your non-negotiables is that you now have a filter for future opportunities. This ensures your efforts remain aligned with your long-term vision and authentic interests.

Taking a moment to define your deeper why will sharpen your focus and rekindle your creative drive. As you move forward, allow this newfound clarity to act as your compass, cutting through the noise and keeping you rooted in what truly matters to your work.