Creativity is an insidious concept. Life coaches actively trade it, brands claim that they are its main suppliers, and we strive for it with all our might, not really understanding the true meaning of this word. But each of us is creative in our own way ‑ we just need to find inspiration and free our creative selves.
How many times have you heard someone say: "I'm not a creative person at all"? It's as if in childhood they were handed a poster with such an inscription and they go everywhere with it, unconditionally believe in it and live their lives in the firm belief that this is the absolute truth. Instead of arguing with such people, I ask them to replace the word "creative" with the word "inquisitive." It helps to understand how ridiculous such a statement sounds.
People often fall into the trap of the myth that creativity is a unique quality that only a select few possess. But replace creativity with curiosity — and you will understand how creative you are, because any creativity begins with a healthy curiosity. Once you connect to this quality of yours and allow yourself to follow it wherever it leads you, you will very quickly find that you lead a much more interesting life than you did a year ago.
The magical thinking that I use to "turn on" creativity begins with the installation that creativity does not come from me, but comes to me. I believe in this because that's how I feel during the creative process.
In addition, people described inspiration in the same way even before the Enlightenment. Even rational people of science say, "And then an idea came to my mind." They can explain exactly where in the cerebral cortex this phrase was born, and "disenchant" magical thinking. But it seems to me that the only sphere of life where it does not harm, but benefits, is the sphere of creativity.
Having creative thinking is like being the owner of a border collie. This breed needs to come up with an activity, otherwise it will find it itself, and you will not like the result. If you go to work and leave your pet at home without toys, then when you return, you will most likely find that the dog has found something to do after all - tore up the sofa or chewed on shoes.
The creative mind is exactly the same. If I don't find something for him to do, my creative self will turn against me. Regularly doing something with this "dog" is very important for my mental health.
Therefore, find your "dog" a job. And don't worry about what the result will be — magnificent or immortal, original or innovative, whether it will be in demand, whether it will change the world, other people's lives or your own. Just give your creative mind something to think about, and you will feel much happier, no matter how it all ends.
You will never find people who complain more than creative people. These are the most whiny and bitchy kids you can meet. Their pretentious and pained whining drives me crazy.
Firstly, it is absolutely ridiculous to be burdened by your talent, to treat talent and creative impulses as a burden that an evil dictator has hung on you. Secondly, it scares away inspiration. It wants to be loved and appreciated. When this elusive feeling does not receive respect, when it "hears" that it is destroying someone's life, it immediately goes away.
I've seen a huge number of gifted, creative, and inventive people get angry at their job or, worse, quit it out of frustration. They talked about him as an obstacle that appeared from outer space and ruined everything.
The problem lies in a misunderstanding of the essence of the creative process. It seems to us that it consists of moments when everything comes together — all the cogs are spinning at full speed, inspiration flows so delightfully, everything is so light and funny. In fact, this is not normal, this does not happen in real life. This is a miracle that happens very rarely, and only if you are very lucky.
Disappointments, difficulties, obstacles and dead ends on the way, self—doubt, not knowing what to do next - that's what the creative process is. If you want to succeed without inner turmoil, creativity is not for you.
I absolutely do not accept the mythological dream of fearlessness, so when this quality is praised as a virtue, I always feel disappointed. I believe that we don't need to get rid of fear — we need it to stay alive. We are still here because fear once saved us all. When we say that we want to be fearless, we devalue this feeling.
However, there is one thing. Fear is the oldest and deepest part of our emotional life, so it can be quite monotonous and boring. Talk to your fear and explain to it what's going on: "I'm just trying to write a poem, no one's going to die."
But in no case do not fight with him, it is a waste of energy. Communicate with your fear and let it go.
I'm not a big fan of trying to create something original. Firstly, it increases anxiety. Secondly, it is impossible, because nothing original exists. Show me a work of art that you consider original, and I will bring ten experts and critics who will tell you what or who the author was inspired by.
I am much more interested in the chain of influence that connects one work with another, rather than narcissism, which carries originality.
The only way to create something real is to follow your curiosity with great humility and believe that it will lead you to something that will feel like something original. Yes, maybe other people have already done something similar, but you can still leave your mark if you put your heart and soul into the work.
People often want to turn a creative hobby into a profession, but eventually find themselves at a crossroads when their favorite business not only does not satisfy their creative desires, but also does not allow them to gain financial stability. So you have to sacrifice both.
It seems to me that we need to abandon all attempts to combine them and, conversely, separate creativity from career. Do what you love, devote time to it, create, but find another way to pay the rent.
When I was a budding author, I immediately decided that I would never rely on my craft as a way to earn a living. I will expect from him exactly what creativity has always given me: satisfaction, joy and the feeling that in this world I am not just a bystander and a consumer.
We are often told to "follow your passion," and this advice can be confusing. Passion is not always clear. It flares up and fades, sometimes suddenly. And sometimes, one sad Tuesday morning, when you haven't had enough sleep, you don't have any mental strength at all and you can't even imagine that passion will visit you someday.
Is it curiosity? It is a loyal, friendly and accessible light that will never go out and will always point the way. It is unlikely that you have days when you are not interested in anything at all, even if it is a tiny manifestation of curiosity about something random in this world that has nothing to do with what you are doing.
Passion demands full commitment from you. You should get divorced, shave your head, change your name, move to Nepal and set up a shelter. Curiosity doesn't need anything from you. On the contrary, it gives you little hints that help you find your identity.
