We introverts need to express ourselves. We are human too, after all.
As introverts, though, it’s hard to find the right words sometimes. We often find it much more appealing to do things… differently. Expressing ourselves creatively can be one of the most fulfilling ways to go about it.
What is Creative Self-Expression?
It can mean different things to different people, but ultimately it’s about combining your heart (emotions) and mind (intellect) artistically to express individuality. It’s all about you. Creative self-expression helps us reach a level of true inner comfort and realization that other means simply cannot ever hope to reach. For some introverts, it can mean the world.
It can be one of the most beautiful things one can experience in life regarding self-actualization.
Here are 6 ways introverts can benefit from creative self-expression:
1. It feeds our inner world
Introverts are very in-tune with their own thoughts. Our inner world. It’s all in the name, after all. Intro (meaning “within”) and vert (meaning “to turn”). We seek to understand things on a deep level, and we do so by looking within and processing our own thoughts and feelings.
Inside the mind of an introvert, you’ll find an incredibly vast, colorful, and (dare I say) magical world. And this rich inner world consumes much of our time and being. Creative self-expression is one of the best ways to feed this already mystical inner world. It’s one way we build the vast open landscapes and come up with the realistic characters and eye-opening stories we often write, sing, or dance about (usually when no one is watching, of course). It’s when and where we do our best work.
And just because we have such a vast inner world doesn’t mean we don’t engage with the external world or those around us.
2. It helps give us a voice (in a world that can’t stop talking)
If you’re an introvert (or even if you aren’t) there’s a good chance you may have heard of the ever popular book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. I recently began reading it and can tell it’s going to be an excellent read on introverts and the greatness we bring to our heavily extroverted society.
Creative self-expression is a means to showcase to others what we are trying to convey that we sometimes may not want or be able to express verbally. Manifestations of our inner world can sometimes be all we need to tell the world, “this is who I am.”
3. It helps us connect with others on a deeper level
When an introvert is fully in-touch with who they are and their heart feels deeply satisfied, those around them can usually feel or notice it. They may even see an entirely different individual than what they once knew. One who holds their head higher and walks with significantly more grace and confidence. This makes us feel a sense of great satisfaction that few things on this earth can match.
As introverts, we know all too well how draining social interactions can be. But one of the cool things about creative self-expression is that it can cross borders and help us introverts do the same. Who knows? Maybe you can make a few new friends from it or find social groups and activities that are right for you.
4. It helps us quiet the little voice in our heads
You know, the little voice that says we aren’t good enough. The one that says we are lonely, worthless, unable to create something worthwhile, or will never find something worth striving for. It’s a sad little voice, but finding a means of expressing ourselves creatively helps dampen its impact and can ultimately silence it in the long run.
5. It can help us create more and better things
One of the beautiful things about creativity, whether it’s writing fiction, drawing, coming up with a new dance routine, or capturing the perfect photo or any other creative endeavor, is that it helps lead us to new ways of doing things. One idea may lead to the next, and the more you create, the easier it gets. The easier it gets, the better we typically get at it.
6. It’s healing for us (and just feels so damn good)
To an introvert, few things on this planet can be as satisfying or as healing as creative self-expression. It’s hard to truly put into words sometimes, but engaging in creative acts has such a fundamental and profound aspect to it for us introverts. Sometimes it can feel like there is no other way to express ourselves other than through creative means. This is especially true for those of us that have had difficult childhoods. It can feel like we’ve found our life’s purpose, even if we’re in a career that is lacking in creativity. And if we are in a situation that is creatively lacking, taking time to express ourselves creatively can be incredibly revitalizing.
Creative self-expression can be one of the most liberating things for introverts. These six benefits are just a start and even though we live in a world that can’t stop talking, creative self-expression rises beyond words. It connects hearts. And isn’t that what the human experience is all about?
Jeff Aybar is a writer, writing & creativity life coach for introverts, INFJ, veteran, and lover of all things creative. You can get a free copy of his guide for writers and artists on starting the creative journey by signing up to his newsletter HERE.