As is the way of the universe, ever since I began to open up the box of awesomeness that is creating your first ecourse, I have been stumbling on websites, people, businesses, infographics, images, blogs and ideas that all feed into the concept of creativity, what it is, how to have more of it in your life, and so on.
While putting to one side for a moment the inevitable moments of anxiety that I have nothing useful to say on the subject because it’s all been said already, and said better {pish posh}, it has really forced me to think about all the ins and outs of creativity, and what it means to live a creative life.
I use the word creativity loosely here; naturally for me it has a strong artistic leaning, but I don’t see my creativity confined to my use of pencils and paint. Goodness no.
Here are 5 things I’ve learned, or believed and found repeated confirmation of, so far:
1. Creativity is NOT something for the chosen few.
I’ve talked about this before, and no doubt will do again because it’s True; we are all capable of being and doing anything.
Which is not the same as saying we can do everything.
I have no more or less creativity available to me than you do. The only potential difference is that each of us has the filter of individuality which makes us more naturally inclined to this or that, and thank god, otherwise we’d all be the same and it’d be incredibly boring.
where the art based creativity tends to happen
2. Creativity can be cultivated.
The more we do, the more we can do.
We can encourage our own creativity to grow by opening ourselves up to new experiences, which creates new neural pathways in the brain, allowing for new connections to be made.
Which leads to number 3…
full of untapped creative potential. just like us.
3. Creativity means making connections.
The most original thinkers make connections between unlikely things and come up with the types of things that make most of us go ‘wowser, I wish I’d thought of that’.
Einstein was rather good at it, as was Isaac Newton, and Tim Berners-Lee {pioneer of the internet} also springs to mind.
Here’s a small scale one that evolved through me, from my hours of walking the beach and noticing all the different types of stones we have here, and how some of them have ‘lettering’ on them:
i’m now obsessed by finding all kinds of letters to make new words, maybe even frame them as gifts
4. It’s not hard to be creative.
Actually it’s harder not to. Anyone who thinks it’s difficult has fallen prey to a myth.
We’re all creative every day, in a myriad ways that we may not think of in that context.
Putting together a meal is a creative act, as is working out a route to somewhere, doodling while on the phone, and using numbers to create information via spreadsheets.
I bet if you go through your average day you can find at LEAST ten examples of you being creative.
Just don’t confine it to making something tangible.
Daydreaming is a creative act because it creates a space for new ideas and connections to be made.
blueberry muffins. i sometimes think creativity you can eat might be the best kind.
5. Creativity feels amazing.Â
You will probably have intimate knowledge of this already if you’re reading this, because most likely you’re a consciously creative sort of person and look for things that feed that, including blogs.
There’s nothing quite like the rush that comes with a flash of inspiration for a new project, the buzz of the creative act itself, or the glow of satisfaction from a project you have quite literally loved into existence.
bench creativity
Despite the fact that we actually can’t help being creative, by nature of being human beings ~ even if you don’t believe in a connection to something greater ~ I can’t think of a better reason to bring more creativity into your life than because it feels amazing.
And when you feel amazing, you can only attract more amazingness to you, and then you become so full that you give it out again.
Maybe if everyone on the planet took some time to cultivate what’s already innately a fundamental part of who they are, the world would be a much happier place.
Not even maybe.
As always, brilliant post, my friend 🙂 Shared it on FB, oouldn’t help myself!
Thank you, I’m so glad you couldn’t help yourself! 😉
Great post thanks! It is important to be reminded this everyday.
The pictures are all so lovely and inspiring! Did you take those yourself?
If that is your working space I am officially envious 😉
And the stones with letters are just amazing!
And I want that bench…
Hi Nora, thank you for visiting and leaving your thoughts! Yes I take all the photos on my website; I often use my Instagram photos. I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
Great reading 🙂 Creativity is something that has been at in my head at a conscious level lately as well (probably the reason I found this blog – with Malini’s help 😉 Thankyou) Why not get creative and make up a new word for ecourse. I personally prefer OnCourse – its says so much more to me 😉
Hi Deborah, thanks so much for stopping by and saying hello! I like Oncourse too! And you’re right, I could really walk my talk here and get creative with a synonym!
Like Malini said, Brilliant. Mind expanding. Thanks for the post, Tara!
Also, I’ve got to get over to the beach more often. It fills me up, too!
High praise, thank you Laura!
I agree with you on all levels here, especially #5. 🙂
It’s my favourite too. 🙂
Yes. Yes. Yes. How divine that I find myself here with these wise words just when I was feeling in a bit of a creative hinterland. I am just going to play today I have decided. Thank you.
Yay! My work here is done. 😉
Speaks to the heart of our adventures! We’ll share your creative spark e-course with our fellow travelers Tara, thanks for sharing your wonderful gifts through these posts!! Time to play 🙂
Sharon
Hello Sharon, welcome! Thank you for your kind comment! I took a look at your site – it’s gorgeous! I spent some time at Lago de Atitlan a few years ago. Will be keeping an eye on your trips. 🙂
Just come across your work and it is wonderful and beautiful and captivating.
I am a landscape photographer and as every day goes by I am become more and more intrigued by the possibility of my trying to paint. Guess I am nervous to start.
Your distinctive style has stimulated me to ‘have a go’ which I guess is what we are all trying to do.
Charlie what a surprise! And thank you for such lovely comments. And yes ‘have a go’ is exactly my philosophy. 🙂
I have just come across your blog! It’s wonderful and is exactly the type of encouragement and positivity that I have been looking for! I am a lone parent and home ed my 12 year old daughter who has a disability, so I don’t get much me time but we will be using your blog lots!! Lol. I love your poem, ‘you don’t have to’, it spookily sums me up. Are these in a published book at all? Xxx
Hi Sasha, welcome! I’m so pleased you feel the blog is helpful. 🙂 My poems aren’t in a published book, although if you visit my Gifts For You page, you can download a free ebook of a selection of my poems and paintings. If you ever have questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
I’m so happy I found this site from one of the images on Pinterest! I love your articles, and your artwork is so lovely.
Thank you so much Ashana and welcome. 🙂
Your posts on Pinterest are inspirinational. Thank you
Thank you – glad you find them helpful!
I am glad i found you!!!!
Yay! Glad you’ve found something you like here. 🙂
I found you on Pinterest by chance two hours ago and already your magic is playing with my mind! I’m feeling much younger than my 64 years!
Or maybe it wasn’t by chance. 😉
I’ve just started reading your articles and I’m already gaining that interest and excitement about art that I never thought I had, this is indeed great inspiration for me.
Thanks Tara.
So glad to hear that Josieann!