I have always been fascinated with the concept of creativity. I love going to craft shows and seeing homemade works of art...I enjoy great music and appreciate all styles of dance...I am awe-inspired by poets, writers and filmmakers who capture an audience simply with words or emotions on the big-screen. I'm also envious of natural talents like my grandmother and mom, who can sew, quilt, draw, build, sculpt, paint, and create amazing things essentially out of nothing. Even my grandpa and step-dad have the ability to re-purpose old furniture to look brand new, or build cabinets, desks or chairs. While I'm at it, one of my cousins even went to school for photography and graphic design, my step-sister is studying fashion/interior design...so where do I fit in?!
In all honesty: I'M JEALOUS. I've always desired to be that artistic person who can sit for hours and use my mind's inspiration to draw something stunning. But reality is I CAN'T. (If you've ever seen my attempts at making any kind of art, you'll know I didn't inherit that innate creative gene from my mom or grandparents). Growing up my family used to tell me "You're creative in your own way," but I always had a hard time internalizing this belief.
So why am I writing a blog post about creativity if I don't believe I'm actually that creative? Well truly, because I know now that's not true. But to give hindsight, let me take a step back and guide you through my thought process:
Earlier this year I started reading Eat, Pray, Love [by Elizabeth Gilbert]. Just like the millions of other fans who devoured this book, I instantly fell in love. The author's words resonated with me in so many ways - like myself, she wrote about her personal struggle with anxiety/depression, as well as the multiple stressors occurring in her life. While I am not (nor do I plan on) going through a divorce anytime soon, I was also undergoing other stressful life changes. Although these transitions were truly great, I've since then learned that all stress (good or bad) is STILL STRESS, and can take a toll on a person's health/well-being none the less.. It was because of this book I found meditation as a regular practice, I took the jump to see a therapist for a short time frame, as well as eventually bit the anti-depressant medication bullet.
*SIDE NOTE: I still have yet to watch the movie adaptation with Julia Roberts, but I heard the book was better anyways, sooooo yeahhhh...not in too big a rush :)
My experience with Eat, Pray, Love (along with my fellow book-loving coworkers) helped re-ignite my love of reading. I am the first to admit that I'm a huge book nerd, but this hobby had previously taken a hiatus due to school, internship, jobs, and mommy-hood. After checking this book off my to-do list, I dove right in to other novels my coworkers and friends suggested. I'm definitely guilty of strolling through Target or Barnes & Noble just to add new book titles to my "Must read" list. But I digress..
*You may be wondering "What in the world do books have to do with creativity?" I promise I'm getting there...
Turns out, Elizabeth Gilbert recently released a new book this year called BIG MAGIC: Living Creatively Beyond Fear. I was in the mood for some nonfiction to supplement the novel I was reading at the time, so I checked it out from my local library & started at it.
As a short summation, this book had everything I needed at that specific moment in time: short, easy-to-read chapters, inspiring quotes, and even stories/lessons learned through other creative artists (writers, painters, poets, etc.) My big take away? That EVERYONE can be creative, you just have to find the right medium that works for you. Also, creativity doesn't have to pay your bills - in fact, it's probably better if you don't rely on "Big Magic" or luck to make a living, because doing so can actually suck the fun and creativity right out of something you enjoy.
While reading this book, I was also able to understand the ways I'm creative in my own right. No, I cannot imitate my grandmother or mother's talents (my high school art teacher can also vouch this statement) - but THAT'S OKAY. The belief my mom and grandma always preached: "I'm creative in my own way" actually does hold some value to it. First off, I've always loved to write - I may not be the greatest writer of all time, but I've learned to accept that. Unfortunately, my fear of being critiqued hindered my dream of becoming an author or journalist - but looking back I don't regret my career path or life choices. Like I mentioned above, relying on a creative outlet to pay the bills might be do-able, but very risky. For me, writing is a hobby and something I can always use in whatever setting I'm in (while not worrying about making a living out of it). Also, I can toot my own horn a bit, and relish in the fact that I HAVE had poems published in anthologies, and I've been able to author a few newspaper articles thanks to my jobs; not to mention this blog has also been a creative outlet for me (when I make the time). ;)
Another creative format I've been involved in my entire life is dance. Starting with my first tap and ballet classes at age 6, then adding multiple genres to my repertoire, competing in competitions; to currently taking adult dance classes or enjoying my husband's hip-hop workshops. Growing up it was so easy to forget that dance is an expressive ART FORM. From this first love I have been able to explore other unique movements, such as yoga (all teaching styles) - and I plan to attempt aerial fitness/yoga in the near future (blog post around THAT experience TBD)!
While I have noted I'm not relying solely on creativity to make a living, this doesn't mean I completely separate the two into different parts of my lifestyle or personality. I have found over the past few years as a "real adult" I can be innovative with my careers! From making "food crafts," or writing for media outlets; to teaching yoga or being unique with how I present nutrition education...creativity (or "BIG Magic" as Elizabeth Gilbert calls it), is everywhere. Sometimes it just takes that spark of an idea from someone else or learning something new to open the possibilities for you.
So whether you're a writer/dancer/singer/artist/chef/sculptor/creator of ANY KIND I'll leave you with these final messages: Don't be jealous of someone else's talents. There will always be someone with newer ideas, who's more creative, who can ____ [insert other verb here] BETTER than you...but that shouldn't hinder your spirits. If you truly love and have a passion for something, go after it! If you have an itch to be creative, but have no idea where to begin - ASK! Go on Youtube and search "How to ____," ask a friend, neighbor or relative to teach you a skill they've mastered, take a class out of your comfort zone, join a social club, look on Facebook's "events" page and attend an interesting event in your area....the possibilities are endless. If you promise to do that, I will do the same, and share my experiences along the way. :)
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