Are you creative?

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I ask that?

The short answer is you, as a human, are creative, but sometimes we don’t even realize our own creativity. Famous poet Maya Angelo said “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” Creativity is not a thing that you have or don’t have, it’s a muscle you exercise.

There are so many ways of being creative. Because I talk a lot about writing and story, you might think about creative writing when I ask that question. Or maybe paints or photography come to mind. But what about dance or design or problem solving, coding or starting a business? Sometimes it is about the product and sometimes it is really about the process and how we feel while creating.

Think about a time when you felt really creative. Put yourself into that space. Think about your surroundings and your materials. Tap into all your senses—the cool smoothness of the clay, the sharp smell of the solvent, the sound of your tap shoes on the stage. Or the timelesness that happened when solving a complex problem or finding a new idea or creating a business … Use these questions to explore your creativity.

  • How did I feel while I was being creative?
  • What challenges did I face? How did I overcome them?
  • How did I feel about what I created? Did it change how I felt about the process?
  • How am I creative in my life right now? How would I like to be more creative?

We all have ways of being creative and tapping into our own kind of creativity helps energize us and creates more joy. What little acts of creativity could you add to your life?

I’d love to know what you discover! Feel free to share with me.

Melanie

P.S. Interested in learning more about tapping into that creativity and the power of your stories to create a life of resilience, connection, and meaning? Click here check out my upcoming Write Into Joy workshops to learn how to build resilience and joy through journaling & reflecting. 

Want to feel more engaged and energized? Get your copy of 3 Steps to a Meaningful Life You Love!

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