When I talk about my creativity, I often hear the reply ‘I can only draw stickmen!‘. As a society, we tend to link creativity directly to art and only associate it with being good enough. What if I told you that you’re already highly creative, even if you can only draw stick men?
Definition of creativity
Our dissociation from creativity has come from the incorrect way we define it. Through the years, we have come to idolise masterpiece’s in art, and we consider it the ultimate in artistic and creative expression. The problem is, we internalise these standards and measure ourselves against them. It also makes us linear – we are exposed to a constant way of making traditional art that is highly marketed and profitable, and we think that’s the only thing art and creativity can be. It renders our own efforts obsolete.
In order to redefine art, we need to go back to the basics. This is what Creative means:
Creative (adjective): Relating to or involving the use of the imagination or original ideas to create something.
The key’s in the definition – it’s the use of our imagination. Which leads me nicely onto…
We are creative on a daily basis
Budgeting your income for the week or month – that’s us as humans being creative.
Planning out your meals and using what you have in the fridge/cupboard to make something – that’s us as humans being creative.
Talking to your next door neighbour or work colleague and finding connection – that’s us as humans being creative.
Making a spreadsheet with formulas – that’s us as humans being creative.
Finding a way to entertain our children – that’s us as humans being creative.
I’m sure you get the idea…
We use our imaginations EVERY DAY. As humans, we are made to be creative. We’ve done it since the moment we existed – we make things, we find ways, we talk, we walk, we move, we evolve and grow. Creativity encompasses who we are – we wouldn’t be here without it!
We suffer without creativity
Once we tread down the path of believing ‘I’m not as creative or artistic as X…’ it begins to impact us deeply. Expression is our lifeline, and there are a million different ways to express ourselves – using technology, tools, words, equations, you name it, us humans can find a way to use it. That is not only confined to ART in the traditional sense.
When we shift focus towards productivity and success, we lose creativity. We start to use the lower functioning parts of our minds. We’re not robots, but we seem to think we operate like one. As a consequence we’re more tired, overworked, overwhelmed and stressed. Creativity needs time and space, it happens when we’re in ‘the zone’ which is the higher functioning parts of our minds. Realising our creativity can only happen when we give ourselves the freedom to be creative and really begin to value how human we actually are, and indeed what that means.
Moving forward and evolving
We are living in a world that has had a major pandemic, and it’s taught us that we are adaptable and we can survive when we slow down. Slowing down gives us the space we need to regenerate and reflect. It’s given us a chance to realise how creative and artistic we actually are – individually AND as a society, because we’ve had no choice. That’s the beauty of being a creative human.
So next time you think you haven’t got a creative bone in your body…think again!
That’s all for now!
Anya
