on: Inefficient, Fearless Creativity
Have you been creative recently? Produced a song, poem, painting, sculpture. Added a relic to your living room to beautify your space. Danced in your kitchen. Snapped photos whilst on a woodland walk. Have you made the invisible you tangible in the world?
Notice I didn’t specify whether or not others had seen your creativity in action. It isn’t a quantifier for creativity. Creativity doesn’t need to be seen, produce a finished product, or be an efficient process. Creativity is expression and enjoyment and self-discovery.
I’m preaching to the choir with that statement. Reminding myself of its truth.
I grew up with two hard working parents. From a young age, I witnessed extraordinary work ethics. In their offices, they managed large numbers of people, facts, and figures. At home, they took care of admin responsibilities and two needy children. They worked and loved well. They were efficient with their time. Organised. Goal driven. I have a lot to thank them for. Their examples and encouragement pushed me to achieve my goals and be proud of my accomplishments.
After college, I married a man that, in addition to being an incredibly hard worker, was also an artist. A musician. A ponderer. A writer. He spends hours fiddling on guitars and pianos. Writing lyrics. Composing music. He becomes completely absorbed in his art. People may never hear his smokey voice. Or appreciate his complicated arrangements. He may ignore items on a “to-do” list and leave his fingers to experiment on piano keys instead.
My “efficientness” could not understand how he could become wrapped up in something that didn’t produce money, recognition, or a polished product. I was missing the beauty and simplicity of creativity.
Creativity exists in each person. Literally, having the power to create. We all can create. Each of us offers a unique perspective on the world because each of us is made of unique preferences, ideas, words, feelings, and personalities.
I wonder if the two slayers of creativity are efficiency and fear.
Efficiency. There is no way to pour yourself into a creative process whilst being fixated on not wasting time. You most certainly will “waste” time. You will become absorbed and realise two hours have passed and you haven’t crossed off a thing on your “to-do” list.
Fear. If you choose to create, you must lay to rest fear. Fear of what others will think. No one may see what you make. No one may like what you make. But you carry on regardless. Fear will dissuade you from pursuit.
And the result will be the chase of creativity. A process of discovering more about yourself and the world around you.
I’m finding creativity in writing at the moment. Attempting to ignore the clock. Disregard the followers. And write as a means of expressing my feelings and mind.
Hope you choose to join me in the pursuit of inefficient, fearless creative.