Creativity.
It’s clearly more than just a word. It’s a way of life. For some of us, it’s everything. Everything we’ve ever wanted. But it’s something that (sometimes) seems so unattainable.
Growing up, I always felt the need to create. It all started with things like drawing. Then coloring. Painting. Writing. It didn’t really matter. I always felt a powerful urge to take whatever was in my head at the time or something that inspired me and put it all together to… create.
But why? Why is the urge so strong?
I don’t plan on getting into scientific or even philosophical or religious reasons for this. There are many articles and sources out there for that. I will, however, tell you that the plain and short answer is simple.
I am a creative.
And if you’re reading this, it means you are too (or at least you really really want to be and are searching for ways to achieve that best).
Maybe you don’t know exactly how to go about it. Maybe you’ve spent years trying different things, but nothing seems to excite you quite like putting something out into the world (or at the very least in front of you where no-one else can see it). Maybe you’re a seasoned pro and have no trouble creating. No matter where in the journey you are, what it means to be a creative is the same.
I can tell you from personal experience that there are fewer things in this world that give me as much joy and fulfillment as taking an idea that’s in my head and turning it into something beautiful (beautiful to me at least lol). Something that brings me happiness (and sometimes others). It’s really the strangest thing. But maybe that’s why it’s so beautiful. That society might think it’s strange or that you think society thinks it’s strange. We, as creatives, by our very nature, can be quite eccentric. I know I am 😉
I recently read a super brief article that put the idea of being creative as simply “Being creative means you’re thinking” and “Being creative means taking risks and ignoring doubt and facing fears.” I absolutely loved this. However, I would add on that being creative also means you’re FEELING. I believe that the creative process is not only something that combines the power of your mind, but also your heart. I also believe that creativity involves not only the external world, but the internal as well.
But if you’re a creative, you already knew that or… felt that.
Here’s the article in case you’re curious https://creativesomething.net/post/428455618/what-does-it-mean-to-be-creative. Who knows? You might extract something completely different from what I did. That’s the power of creativity. It can be very dynamic and flowing. It can also be as deep or as shallow as needed. Like a river, waterfall, or the ocean.
Ok, so you’ve figured out that you’re a creative. You love bringing “things” into this world. Now what? Well, that’s another part of the magic. Maybe, what you bring into this world can be of service to others (like this blog hopefully is). Maybe you bring something into this world that can be of service to others in a not so apparent way.
Sharing is caring, right?
As I mentioned above, there are many outlets creatives can use to unleash their creativity. Everything from writing fiction, video editing for YouTubers, painting in your backyard, building something with your hands, or like I did as a kid, and making your own comics.
It doesn’t matter what the outlet is; you know in your heart you are a creative. You love to create. A few more examples could sketching, filming, knitting, singing, or the thousands upon thousands of other ways to bring out what’s in your head and heart out into the world.
Whether it’s for you, those you around you, or the world. It really doesn’t matter because you put your heart, your soul, your essence, your entire being, or whatever you wish to call it. You put it all out there.
But then you come to a grinding halt. That felt good. Ridiculously good. The funniest thing happens, especially the first time you create something. You get another urge to take what’s in your mind and turn it into reality. You want to continue to create. Why? Because You. Are. A. Creative.
Ignite that creative spark within you and let your creative flame burn brilliantly, no matter what. It’s part of what makes you so special. If you feel like I do, it’s part of the reason you were put on this earth.
(Ok, maybe that’s a little dramatic, but you get the picture lol)
The point is to keep going. Keep creating. Keep turning whatever ideas you have in your head into reality. No matter how big or small. Whenever and however you wish. THAT is what it means to be creative.