Let’s get it out in the open right now: You’re creative. She’s creative. We’re all creative! Let’s talk about the three myths about creativity we need to let go of right now.
Why Creativity Is So Important To Me
To put it quite simply, creativity gave me my life back. It gave me a place to go to find flow and stillness and myself. You can go there, too, but first you have to stop believing these myths about creativity.
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Myth About Creativity #1: Not Everyone is Creative
This is a big old lie your mind is telling you, plain and simple! Maybe you see someone on Instagram who inspires you in the moment, but as soon as you take out your own sketchpad/calligraphy pens/sewing machine/cast iron pan/curling iron your mind immediately interjects with a bunch of bull. Any of these sound familiar?
- Ugh, I’m just not creative!
- Not everyone was born creative and I’m just going to have to accept it
- I can never think of anything to do!
- I tried once and it sucked, so I’m definitely not trying again
These are all untruths. Your mind is trying to protect you from pain, but in doing so, it’s preventing you from accessing wonder and awe, too. Your main takeaway? We are all creative, period. Our creativity shows up in different forms, from our shoe collections to our bread baking abilities. You do not need to be a visual artist, dancer, singer, or playwright to consider yourself creative!
Start noticing the myths about creativity your mind is whispering to you, say thanks for trying to help but go take a nap, and then go let your creative self out!
Myth About Creativity #2: Creativity Has to Have a Purpose
No no, no no. There does not need to be a single end goal when it comes to making stuff. You don’t have to make a new wreath for over your mantle. You don’t have to bake an Instagram-worthy loaf of sourdough.
You know what having the mindset of “this creative act must result in something I can be proud of and show off” leads to? Misery. Disappointment. Sadness. A closing off of your creativity.
Go into any creative pursuit with an empty mind. Whatever things start popping in (I can use these as my wedding invitations! My kids will be so impressed by me!) gently blow away, like puffy little clouds.
You’re doing this for you. Not for social media. Not for your family (other than the fact that adding a regular creative practice can make you a happier, more centered person, which of course benefits everyone in your life). You.
What comes through you can be thrown in the trash. It can be hung on your wall. It can be burned in the back with the brush. It can be shared on Tik Tok. It can be recycled. It can be kept in a drawer next to your bed just because. It can be eaten, or smashed, or painted over or hidden or broken or hugged. It doesn’t matter. What matters is the act itself, not the outcome.
Myth About Creativity #3: Creative Pursuits Must Lead to Moolah
Oh man, do I ever fall into a pit with this one. I spent money on art supplies, so I have to sell it! What’s the point of making stuff if I can’t monetize it? Oh, maybe this new way of doing it will lead to sales!
Ugh, ugh, ugh. Be aware of this one sneaking up on you, okay? It’s more than fine to let yourself be creative with no monetary gain, now or in the future.
I’ve been reading the book The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist, and wow, is it hitting me deeply. As humans we are born into a world in which everything, and I mean everything, is driven by the pursuit of money. Think about the way we work jobs that suck us dry, or even the way we force our kids to sit still and learn, learn learn. It’s all so we can be “productive members of society,” which means become people who have jobs and pay taxes. I promise you, my cat Coconut NEVER concerns herself with this, and she’s completely content.
That’s a topic for another day, but the point is this: Living our entire lives around the goal of making money is making us all miserable, and it’s not how we can best spend our time. Don’t let being creative become yet another thing that has to bring in money.
If this speaks to you, you might like using the tools of mindfulness and your own magical intuition to add creativity into your life. Sign up for the free guide and mini class now.