A creative mind is one that is a self-observer rather than a self-reflector. It doesn’t judge the passing thoughts but watches them and entertains them, in their chain of free associations. Keep in mind that you have memory, so the chain of associations will be available for interpretation later. And, if you can’t remember that’s okay too. One method is to write down what comes to mind, and follow it where it takes you. Observe the path of thought before reflecting on the associations in a larger contextual chain, just as a painter brushstrokes one movement at a time before taking a step back to make sense of the painting. The story as a whole is more telling than a singular thought.
This is the creative process; the tying together of a tapestry, coherency in a narrative, the flowing colors and patterns of a canvas, and an obvious melody of all the great songs. Observe as your unconscious communicates something that you didn’t know that you were struggling with. An artist is seeking therapy, understanding, and/or resonance of the soul to the physical world, and shares the deep intricate parts of themselves and the nature of reality through their work. Don’t regret and discontinue thoughts too soon before they lead you somewhere.