Thoughts on Creativity

We're going into slightly dangerous territory here.  I've been spending time thinking about Creativity.  And running with those thoughts.  I'm the kind of someone who can run with thoughts a lot.  Generally the outcome is positive.  Clearer ideas.  Resolved problems.  The odd chewed lip.  Sometimes it can go awry.  The poetry I've written.

But seeing as how this blog is about my creative adventures, and my creative adventures seem to be prompting me to think about Creativity, I'm going with it.

In my last post I wrote about how I really love the way creative people think.  Their willingness to explore new possibilities and say "Yes!" to the unknown.  And one of the people who comes by to read my blog wrote a comment that left me thinking. 

Again, being the kind of gal to have a thought and run with it...  I've been chewing this one over for a couple of days... 

Just to let you know, I found Kim's blog fairly early on in my blogging journey.  He writes Ramblings Of The Bearded One, a thought-provoking, honest and funny blog.  Kim comes across as a thoroughly decent bloke.

Kim commented after my last post, that "The difference between creatives and non-creatives I think is down to fear.  Before we embark we all feel fear of failure and fear of ridicule.  The difference is the creatives don't let the fear stop them."

And I have to agree.

To a degree.

I agree totally that fear often dictates how far we explore different avenues.  I know personally that there have been times in my life that have seen me forced to change my big girl pants.  I believe that people who are committed to exploring their creativity will feel fear and take action anyway. 

But I don't differentiate between creatives and non-creatives. 

I think as human beings we are all inherently creative.  I think we all create each and every day.  New thoughts, new clothes combinations, new meals, new plans, new conversations, new relationships, new perceptions.    Continuously.  And that we're often completely unaware of how fantastically creative we are each day.

I think creativity is on a spectrum.

Go with me on this one.  I'm nearly there.

At one end you have people being innately creative, and not being completely aware of how brilliantly creative they are.  At the other end you have people consciously exploring where their creativity takes them.  Saying "Boo" to fear all the while.

I think it's when we become aware of our creativity that we start to feel fear.  When we consciously start to think about what we're doing creatively.   Then we judge ourselves, our creative thoughts, ideas and actions, and see them as lacking in some way.  We stop the natural "flow" of our innate creativity by trying to predict the outcome of what we're doing.  We don't tend to trust ourselves or our abilities when we're stepping out onto what we perceive as new ground.  

Which is a shame.  Because it's at this point, when we step into the unknown, with our natural creativity, that magic can start to happen a little bit. I think.

I told you.  I took a hold of that comment from Kim for a couple of days and ran with it...

So...

Kim recently recorded this piece he had written. 

It's specifically for you.  Listen to it.  It's true.

WARNING:   You may need a noo-noo and a pillow while listening to this recording.  Kim has fairly soothing tones, and should, (immediately, if not sooner), be employed to read stories on Radio 4 after 10pm.  There would be far less insomnia in Britain if he did.  (Not because he's dull as dust but because even grown ups need a good story read to them at bedtime.  Oh, you know what I mean.)    

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