When most people think of creativity they immediately think of the arts; drawing, painting, writing. But there is so, so much more to it.
In trying to understand exactly what creativity is, I came across reams and reams of articles on Dr Morris Stein, a well-renowned psychologist and creative expert from New York. Moe – as he was affectionately known – perfectly defines it as “a novel work that is accepted as tenable or useful or satisfying by a group in some point in time.” He further explained that a “novel” work is “a creative product that did not exist previously in precisely the same form.”
Creativity at Work
Our lives are bursting with creativity when we’re young. We squish and squeeze playdough, build forts and fairy castles, bang on drums or pots and pans. We colour in everything, unconstrained by the lines. Then, when we’re teens, extra murals are encouraged – drama lessons, horse riding, music, dance, chess… However, we seem to reach a point where creativity is crowded out by our career and commutes, our focus on providing for our partners and families, and the daily chores and errands that we all do so mindlessly.
But we all need a creative outlet more than we realise. It has been proven that organisations that incorporate creativity in business – through things such as leadership, problem solving and project management – tend to have greater interpersonal connections. This leads to higher loyalty, productivity, and even innovation. Creative collaborations and flexible time for employees to enjoy what they love not only helps the company thrive but also improves the mental health and well-being of their team members.
Creativity and Mental Health
Typically, when I am creating something, I tend to zone out and get lost in whatever it is I’m doing. This is because the act of creating requires focus and concentration, and leaves no room for multi-tasking. Psychologists call this state of creativity “Flow”. This state is interpreted as “those moments of rapt attention and total absorption when you get so focused on the task at hand that everything else disappears and all aspects of performance, both mental and physical, go through the roof.”
The way the brain acts during creative activities is similar to the experience during meditation, mindfulness and yoga exercises. The purpose of these activities is to help you rest, restore and reconnect by pausing any external distractions. Like these exercises, creativity can produce a natural “high” or feeling of joy and contentment.
These moments of totality occur when the brain waves slow down, allowing space for the original thoughts to better form. Additionally, the prefrontal cortex (which helps you set and achieve goals) temporarily quietens, making us less critical and more courageous. Lastly, during a flow state, our brain releases a gush of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine – the famously happy hormones.
So, with all that said, I encourage you to become less critical and more courageous and engage in something creative as often as you can. I feel most inspired when I’m outside in the fresh air. So if you can, try and sit outside too, in your garden or in a park. Pour yourself a cup of tea, or a stronger beverage if it’s been a day. Put your phone down (extra emphasis on this one). Get comfortable, take your shoes off, breathe. Grab something to draw with – my preferred choice of weapon has always been a fine-liner marker, but a pencil does just fine too. Grab something to draw on – it could be a beautiful piece of fine art paper or, more often than not, the back of a receipt. Now just listen, observe, notice and reconnect with your surroundings. Reconnect with nature and get as close to it as you physically can. Forget about what it “should” look like, and draw what is.
Because, believe me, you are creative.
Roxy, I loved all the photos🤗
Thank you, Joan!
Well written blog Roxy, you have deffinetly got it right. A person needs to slow down and just breathe the fresh air in and relax. Most certainly one must have something you can create in your down time. Being it drawing, or whatever you do to relax is a form of creating, it makes you happy and joyful and is so important.
Thank you, Valmai! There are so many different creative outlets – I think it is so important to find what works for you and make time for it as often as possible.
I forgot to say how beautiful your drawings are Roxy, keep that up. I like to crochet, do tatting and to read. I am know learning how to do quilling, enjoy it very much.
I love your post Roxy! Adding to what you said above, I’ve found endless creative opportunities in competitive sports, most successfully when not “trying” to win. Also, I’ve found that a committed meditation practice supports a suspension of self-consciousness that often blocks creativity! Thanks again for this wonderful post!
Thank you for commenting, Paul – it is fantastic to see how everyone has a different release. What kind of competitive sports do you play? It is crucial that we learn to let go of that pressure we so often put on ourselves to achieve perfection, or to win – then we can really begin to get into the creativity!
Agreed Roxy!!! I’m tennis player and downhill racer, or I should say I was in terms of competitions. I most just play and ski for fun, but occasionally get cajoled into something more “serious”! You post though, is absolutely apropos is my professional life, as I am a chef, own my own restaurant, and am in the design phase of my next one! I know, in a pandemic when your first restaurant can’t yet be open for indoor dining?!!!! And even my work is highly creative, this world is also highly competitive. All the more reason to listen to your excellent advice and do some creative things not related to work!! Thanks again, and all the best!
Wonderful advice, Roxy. And your draft images are eye-catching.
Thank you for the kind words, Willa!
Wonderful drawings . Thanks for your article that encourages people to more creativity. I think I will try it out.
Fantastic, Christa – let us know how it goes!
Roxy your drawings are incredible, please can we see more!! Well done, absolutely love the loose and simple style!
I appreciate that, Sherry – thank you!
Thank you Roxy for these encouraging words. From my experience, pen, pencil just doesn’t work but using a camera and cooking utensils, I feel my creativity bloom.
That is great to hear, Denise – have you tried combining the two and photographing your culinary creations? That could be fun!
Hi Roxy….loved your concept of taking a deep breath and pencil and paper…taking the time and drawing something you see and enjoy….one doesn’t have to be a Cezanne to feel the pleasure that drawing can bring….so relaxing…takes all the stress away!……and suddenly you’re living “in the moment,”!….we all need some of that at times, that’s for sure!.. thank you….
You’re welcome Pauli, and I couldn’t agree more! Being good at it has nothing to do with it – how it makes you feel is what’s important.
This is creative 😉
Excellent advice – I took to painting and can spend hours lost in it!