On any given day, I can have 17 projects spinning around in my head, three more being conceived, two in the process of labor, and 8 dying.

It's an exciting, energizing feeling. On the other hand, it's a draining, crippling, disabling feeling.

As I'm writing this, I'm realizing that this will be more about the way I handle my creativity rather than an exposé on creativity itself - which is fine. That's the beauty of multiple people writing on a singular theme each week. As my friend @breezin said to me today, "Variety is the spice of life."

But what happens when it gets too spicy, and there isn't a drop of water around for miles and miles to quench the heat singeing your tastebuds, one by one. Well, to put it mildly, I suffer. Then I wait for the burn to subside. And then, inexplicably, I grab every spice jar on the rack, take off the shaker top and dump it all back onto my plate again.

I've tried to analyze this. Tried to consider why it is that I do what I do. I've given myself space, breaks, rests, distance, sleep, seclusion, extreme seclusion... and no matter how many times I've tried to find balance - I end up running to the spice rack again.

I'm not the only one who suffers. Sadly, my friends do too.

Thankfully this tongue-on-fire stage only lasts for a few weeks out of the year. And, then, blissfully, wonderfully, gratefully, I get months and months of "me" again. The creativity, without the pain.

Breathing helps. It's silly, but it helps. For all you creatives out there who love/hate your nature, I understand. I get it. I empathize. And I'll give you a hug just as soon as someone extinguishes my flaming mouth.