What does it mean to Live Creatively ?

ALL OBJECTS ON THE CONSTANT MOVE, MALLORCA, 2019

The Essence of Creativity: Beyond Talent and Profession

Having spent the past 25 years as a designer immersed in the creative world of the fashion industry, I've often contemplated the essence of creativity. Gradually, I've come to recognize it as more than just a specific talent or profession. Instead, I've realized that creativity is a fundamental state of being, an inherent part of our human nature that we all possess.

Creative living is not limited to artists or designers; it's a birthright we all share. This perspective invites us to approach daily life as an ongoing opportunity to explore ourselves and our surroundings with open-minded curiosity, tapping into the power of creativity that exists within each of us.

Embracing Life's Uncertainties

The Danish existentialist philosopher Søren Kierkegaard reminds us:

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”

This statement makes me ponder our collective tendency to seek definitive solutions for every aspect of life. In our quest to make sense of our daily existence, we often gravitate towards comfort and distraction. We seek instant gratification and embrace limitless entertainment options, perhaps as a way to cope with an increasingly uncertain world which challenges our sense of security.

Yet, as Kierkegaard suggests, living life fully is not about evading discomfort but experiencing whatever moment we cross paths with. Opening up towards being touched by whatever pierces our system to evolve from where we were a moment ago.

The Roots of Creative Living

As the daughter of immigrant artists and musicians, I grew up immersed in a blend of Irish, African-American, and German cultures. My parents boldly merged traditions, styles, and ways of living, forging their original path in the process.

While I admittedly frequently felt the urge to conform to the society around us, agitated by feeling we did not fit in, there was an underlying sense of freedom in this colorful playground when I forgot to worry about how we might be perceived by our surroundings.

Authenticity in Creative Expression

Jon Kabat-Zinn, the scientist and meditation teacher who introduced mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), states poignantly in "Full Catastrophe Living":

“Anybody who is imitating somebody else, no matter who it is, is heading in the wrong direction. It is impossible to become like somebody else. Your only hope is to become more fully yourself.”

The home I was raised in was always buzzing with creative energy. It was filled with music, art, lively discussions, and impromptu house concerts, fueled by an open-door policy, inviting life in.

I was encouraged to explore day-to-day life as a constant exploration of ideas, from playing musical instruments to experimenting with countless forms of artistic expression, where creativity became akin to a way of being.

Creativity as a Life Force

One could describe creativity as a boundless energy that's always there, ready to flow through us. It opens up endless ways for us to express ourselves and discover new things, as we create our own reality. In a way, it's like love - hard to pin down, but touching everything.

Deepak Chopra, who mixes science and spirituality, states:

”You are the creative source of your own reality, and your purpose is to explore how far your creative powers can take you.”

It’s a reminder that we have the power to create the world we live in. And while creativity can be expressed through a defined creative career, its true power goes beyond, as we create our everyday experiences.

Living creatively is not always about grand gestures or flashy outputs; rather, it's about connecting with the ever-present flow of creative energy as we trust our intuition and express our authentic inner voice, while encouragingly being reminded by Maya Angelou:

“You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have,”

As a limitless source, creativity encompasses being curious about the unexpected twists and turns that life constantly presents. It's about embracing change and uncertainty while breaking free from limiting narratives about what life is supposed to look like.

Dr. Gabor Maté, a physician, and renowned figure in the fields of mental health and personal development, points out in "The Myth of Normal" how creativity is closely linked to authenticity as in being the author of our own story:

"Creativity, meanwhile, is about something more fundamental: it starts with seeing that we can create, and then has the feel for what wants to be created. It is a facet of authenticity, a close cousin of authorship."

This perspective highlights that our nature is innately creative. By responding to the ever-present flow of creative possibilities we allow ourselves to be touched while opening the door to moving closer to our essential selves.

Maté's words underscore the profound connection between creativity and authenticity, suggesting that true creativity emerges when we recognize our power to create and tune into what genuinely resonates with us.

By standing in our power of authenticity, we move closer to the chance of finding fulfillment in every moment beyond external achievements or societal expectations. It's about living each moment deeper, feeling it all and feeling alive as we relate to the world.

Living Dangerously: The Creative Risk

Friedrich Nietzsche pointedly stated the importance of embracing risk and challenge in life, encapsulated in his famous exhortation from “The Gay Science:”

“The secret for harvesting from existence the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment is to live dangerously!”

This statement seems like a call to action to step beyond our comfort zones to truly experience life. It suggests that living cautiously leads to a less enriching existence, while taking risks can yield profound rewards and true fulfillment through engaging with life's uncertainties.

We are encouraged to venture into the unknown, both literally and metaphorically, to discover new opportunities and personal growth. Urged to expand beyond complacency and mediocrity as we transcend societal norms and create personal values.

The Practice of Creative Living

Living creatively involves being present enough to seize opportunities and relate to each moment with awareness. It's about being curious enough to embrace the unexpected and accepting deviation from plans as part of the process.

Ultimately, by Living Creatively, we embrace constant change as the nature of life, break through limiting beliefs, and foster a connection with our true selves beyond the pre-defined narratives we tell ourselves about what life should look like.

This includes striving to shed the limitations of yesterday's self each morning, embracing the present with a beginner's mind, and understanding that true progress often requires un-learning, maybe even more so than learning.

Redefining Creativity: A multifaceted approach

• Generating Ideas: Creativity involves the capacity to come up with new and original ideas.

• Problem-Solving: Creativity extends to finding innovative solutions to problems by thinking outside the box and exploring unconventional approaches.

• Breaking Conventions: Creativity often involves breaking away from traditional or established norms, rules, or conventions to explore new possibilities and alternatives.

• Connecting the Dots: Creativity entails combining or connecting existing elements, concepts, or ideas in novel ways to produce something unique.

• Ability to Adapt: Creativity includes being flexible toward new situations and approaching problems from different angles.

• Experimental Mindset: Creativity involves a sense of playfulness, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment, take risks, and explore different possibilities without fear of failure.

• Personal Growth: Creativity closely links to personal growth and self-discovery, allowing individuals to explore their interests, passions, and unique perspectives.

• Innovation: Creativity ties closely to innovation, as it often leads to the development of new products, services, technologies, or artistic expressions that have a positive impact on society.

By viewing creativity as a state of being rather than a talent, we open ourselves to a richer, more fulfilling existence. As we navigate life's complexities, let’s remember that our greatest creative act is the continuous shaping of our own lives.

Have you asked yourself:

• Are you open to experiencing each moment without a pre-set agenda?

• What comes naturally to you?

• What fears or limiting beliefs are holding you back from fully expressing your authentic self?

• Are you open to un-learning what you felt certain about?

• What small steps can you take today to explore a new aspect of your creativity?