BLOG #8 Creativity is not a bone in your body!

Some people say they don’t have a creative bone in their body! Everyone is creative, it is just a matter of finding out what this means for you. Being creative can mean all sorts of things and is really about being spontaneous, imaginative, allowing our minds to wander and daydream.  Creativity may result in the creation of a physical object, or something intangible such as an idea or solution.  Being creative is an important part of being kind to ourselves.  Allowing ourselves time for creativity is not something adults are necessarily encouraged to do.  We see an immediate decline in active creativity when we become adults, as opposed to when we are children and teenagers. You can practice creativity in so many different ways such as travelling to new places or engaging in a new hobby.  You just need to be open to new possibilities, be curious and embrace the idea that there are no such things as mistakes!

What does creativity mean to me?

Creativity means something relaxing and enjoyable, an activity that I find pleasurable and where I have the opportunity to explore something, express myself and in my case is usually something that is tactile and produces something of colour, texture and beauty.  It doesn’t have to have a functional purpose; in fact, it is most often just for decorative reasons and to be appreciated for its uniqueness and style.  I developed a fetish for buttons at some stage.  I love making necklaces and other pieces out of them.  The end product is always exciting and sometimes the first attempt isn’t the final attempt! It is also the process of making the piece that I love.  It is often repetitive, unplanned and can go anywhere.  There are no rules, deadlines or pressures.  The process and outcome are for myself only.  Often the process can be intense rather than relaxing, but this is because I am excited about the creative process and what transpires. It is a rewarding kind of intensity.  I also enjoy sewing, painting, renovating old furniture pieces and gardening.  I grew up in the country where activities and social outings were scarce, so I learnt to sew, cook and garden at an early age – mostly because there wasn’t much else to do!  I am grateful for having learnt these skills and now being able to apply them creatively.  You don’t have to be good at something to give it a go!  Learning new things for fun is also creative.

There are even health benefits from being creative!

Research (The Learning Blog) has also proven that there are many health benefits from being creative, so being healthier surely is another way to be kind to yourself.  Benefits include increased mood, less anxiety, boost in brain function, disease prevention and increased immunity.  All more good reasons for being creative.

So how can you become (more) creative?

• Firstly, pay more attention to being creative and allocate time for it. Try and allocate time at least once a month. Like all things, practice does make near perfect!
• Think of some ways you can have fun and be playful without any purpose, specific outcome or exact method.
• Do you have an old hobby that you previously enjoyed e.g. playing guitar or piano that you have left behind in times gone by?
• Join a group that involves a hobby that you are interested in.  This helps increase participation and commitment to being involved in the hobby. You can share tips and tricks.
• Search the internet to get more information about a creative pursuit.  There is a huge amount of information available to help you get started including you tube videos.
• Visit some art galleries, museums or go to the theatre or a concert. Explore what types of art appeal to you.
• Writing is a way to be creative.  It can be free writing, a short story, a journal or poetry. You are writing for you.
• Reading is a great way to expand thinking and ideas.  There are many different types of books available online as well as at your local library or street book exchange.
• Music is another form of creativity, whether you play an instrument or just listen to it.  There are many different kinds of music to be enjoyed.
• Exercise can also be a form of creativity. Dancing or free form, walking in nature or running.   Anything goes…
• Photograph something. Anything. Practice in different lights, at different times of the day. It can be things in nature, scenery, places, people, objects – anything!.  You don’t need expensive equipment to give it a go.
• Decorate a room in your home.  This may involve painting something, restoring an old piece of furniture, exploring old photographs and pictures, rearranging the furniture or sewing something.
• Enrol in a short course. To learn about something new. Your local neighbourhood house has lots of short courses. There are also many on-line.

Just give it a go!

Perfection is not the name of this creativity game! Quite the opposite.  It is the journey during creativity, not the destination that is important.  The possibilities are limitless!

Written from my creative heart for yours

Iris May

9^th June 2020