It’s the holidays, which means us “creatives” are starting to get a little emotional. Higher highs, lower lows, the desire to make it count before the end of the year. The question is: how do you channel your creative, somewhat frenetic, and at times compulsive energy? If you’re Yayoi Kusama, you build new worlds, one light at a time.

Despite living in a mental institution in Japan (by choice, mind you, for the last 40 years) Yayoi Kusama transforms her compulsions and even hallucinations (which have plagued her since childhood) into stunning interiors. Her “infinity rooms,” which she develops using hundreds of LED lights, are truly other-worldly and her use of dots and color are a personal source of inspiration for me. For Kusama, she uses her art to ponder existence, and if you are lucky enough to experience her work first hand, it will likely leave you doing the same.

kusama-at-work

So the next time your anxiety starts to bubble over… find a place to let it blossom. Instead of letting your compulsions weigh you down, allow them to fuel your creativity.

Does this work feel a bit familiar? It’s because we covered Kusama’s Obliteration Room last year. What can I say… she shares my obsession with rainbow dots and I’m a little obsessed with her.

Watch the video to experience several of Kusama’s extraordinary installations and if you’re lucky enough to live or be in New York right now, visit the David Zwirner Gallery to see her new exhibit. If you go, please email me about it and I will update this post with your experiences.

Post inspired by CNN’s coverage this morning.