Creativity for creativity’s sake
Creativity by definition is just using imagination or new ideas. It doesn’t necessarily need to be for art, but is a major tenet of art. Creativity is a necessity to all facets of life. We must get creative to solve problems, innovate, get ready for the day, communicate with others, make decisions, participate in art, and so much more. It is a prerequisite for dreaming up big goals and plans. Sometimes I’m blown away at the sheer volume of creative ideas the human race has come up with, it is truly unfathomable and we are still doing it! I think of creativity as mental freedom, allowing your mind to wonder, play, and come up with new ideas without limits. Creativity is the opposite of the rigidity and stuckness people can often feel in everyday life. Practicing creative artistic endeavors has also been shown to reduce physiological and psychological stress. All of this is pretty important, right?
So how does one build more creativity into their life? There are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, a stressed and overly busy mind is one devoid of creativity. The parts of the brain that handle creativity and the parts that turn on during stress cannot be online at the same time, meaning stress=no creativity. Managing stress through lifestyle factors like movement, sleep, diet, and social life are very important, as well as, learning helpful coping skills. Creativity can also be a great stress busting tool! Repetitive activities using your hands has been shown to greatly reduce stress (coloring, knitting, pottery, painting, etc). Simply engaging art pursuits, just for the fun of it (this is an important part), can bring your creative mind back online. Second, stillness is important. Our brains are constantly overstimulated and fed too much information on a daily basis. This inhibits the ability to be creative when you’re constantly processing information. It is important to let your brain rest while you are awake to generate more brain power for creativity! This could be meditation, limiting input through your senses (take that walk without also listening to a podcast and just be present!), or simply doing single tasks at a time instead of trying to multitask. To round this up, being creative just because, will greatly enhance your life and your ability to engage in the world. Let’s invite more creativity into the world!
Questions to ponder.
Where in my life can I reduce stimulation to boost my creative capacity?
What areas of my life do I feel most creative and where do I feel stuck?
How can I challenge my mind to be creative and think differently?
