Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something new and somehow valuable is formed. The created item may be intangible or a physical object. Creativity is our cognitive ability to find connections, rules and patterns to create new, original ideas and identify possibilities.
Creativity and innovation are two of the top ten key skills for future employability according to the World Economic Forum.
Not everyone is an artist, but we can all be creative.
I would love to be talented as a singer, a dancer, an actor or a musician but I am not. I am an appreciator of The Arts, I love reading books, watching films, visiting galleries, viewing photography, going to the theatre. I appreciate artistic talent and like things to be aesthetically pleasing.
When I am travelling I always seek out the street art. I lost myself for days wondering the streets of various places in South America, admiring and photographing the vibrant murals painted on houses. The blasts of colour splashed across each architectural canvas made me smile and lifted my spirits.
So what does being creative mean to me?
I am a creative thinker – I think outside of the box, I push boundaries and I enjoy disrupting the status quo. I think best in the shower, it is where I incubate my ideas. I also love allowing my mind to wander on long drives. I have planned many a project and realised many an idea driving down the M4 and M5 back to Devon!
I have a vivid imagination – I am a visual person and I dream in technicolour. I like originality, things that break the mould, people that stand out. I get a buzz from being inventive – my mind is fertile so I always carry a note book, I have pages and pages of ideas and brainstorming for projects, events, blogs and ideas I want to explore.
“A creative life is an amplified life.” ~Elizabeth Gilbert
I am resourceful – I have had many a job where the school has been in deficit and my budget for a project is zero. This does not hold me back, I find a route to my desired destination in a creative way.
I am innovative – whether it is pioneering new ideas or trail blazing new directions, I am happy to break away from the pack and innovate traditions.
I experiment – I don’t mind making mistakes. I am happy to try new ideas, new things and make up my own mind. I will try most things one.
“Creativity takes courage.” ~Henry Matisse
Creativity for me is a range of intentions and actions which require time, energy and space to grow:
Brain-storming… Idea-forming… Connection-making… Problem-solving… Risk-taking… Rule-breaking… Mistake-making…
Creativity is great for our well-being as it nourishes our soul. I have found the daily practice of writing has been a great creative outlet for me during lock down. The self-expression has helped to explore, capture and anchor my ideas – the #DailyWritingChallenge has helped me find greater clarity about what I need for my peace, healing and happiness.
Being creative each day has helped me tune in to my inner voice, I am a connector and the writing has enhanced my sense of self-connection.
Creativity has helped me to: be more present in the moment, connect with my heart, make sense of some things I needed to process, explore what I am curious about.
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” ~Maya Angelou
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