Being Creative is Not Just About Making Art

Being creative looks different for everyone and even when you work in the same discipline it will still look different to anyone else’s. According to Merriam Webster, creativity is the ability to create. It looks like innovation, imagination, inventiveness. It brings people together, it can create community or it can be something just for you.

When I get into the groove of showing up creatively for myself, it grounds me and I notice that I feel much better. Other times, I look at a blank page and get intimidated not knowing where to start. Over the years, I’ve noticed that my creative practice waxes and wanes. It’s something that I don’t force but continue to cultivate and nurture.

You might be able to relate, showing up for something that you want to do is hard but being consistent is even harder. I recently read Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. The book is tiny but mighty, showcasing 10 ideas about being creative. “The ideas apply to anyone who’s trying to inject some creativity into their life and their work.”(pg. 1). 

A few little nuggets of wisdom (and there are many) that I took away from the book :

1. “It’s in the act of making things and doing our work that we figure out who we are.” (27)

2. “Step away from the screen” (53) in this section Kleon talks about using your hands, having two desks, one “analog” desk and one “digital” desk. 

3. “Take care of yourself… It takes a lot of energy to be creative.” (119)

Being creative is not just about making art, it’s how we engage our brain to think differently about something. Some examples of creativity might include, cooking, gardening, walking, hosting a party, playing games, etc. Make a list of what inspires you, then do research on those topics or people. If you want to cultivate a creative practice, start to carry around a notebook and record your life in an analog fashion. Places you went, things you did or ate, collect scraps and glue them in, quotes you overheard. It doesn’t have to be something monumental, just something that fits with your lifestyle.

But being someone who is a creative is hard… There I said it. It’s not just about generating ideas but also showing up for the practice. With any practice starting small and making it accessible is key. You can always work your way up to something monumental. If you skip a day, be kind to yourself and start again.