What is creativity?

Have you ever thought that you’re not very creative?

Or have you had a great idea but felt unsure about what to do with it?

Maybe you have the feeling that creativity is only for other people, like artists and writers and dancers and content creators, or only those who are naturally gifted (whatever that means)?

I’ve learned that creativity isn’t magic, although it can certainly feel pretty magical when you’re in the thick of it. And it’s definitely not a rare gift that only some people possess.

Here’s what I believe

If you’re human, you have the capacity to be creative. And if that doesn’t feel true for you right now, I’m pretty sure that will change with some encouragement, some simple steps to help get you started and keep going. Really, it comes down to having the opportunity and the space to reconnect with the creative part of you.  

So, what is creativity?

Creativity is simply coming up with ideas, whether that’s creating something entirely new or finding a fresh way to approach something that already exists.

It can be something big and grand, a single step or something with lots of different parts or stages, or one tiny, tiny change. The scale and the subject matter don’t come into it at all.

And you’re already doing this more than you realise. Every time you solve a problem, rearrange your living space, find a new way to explain something, play around with a recipe, find a new way to get home, write in a birthday card or write an email, you’re being creative.

But because it is so inherent in so much that we do, it’s really easy to dismiss it or not recognise it for what it really is.

The simple truth

Creativity is about curiosity, experimenting, and exploring. And the process of creating something is all about making mistakes, figuring out what to do next, and then doing it all again.

Ultimately, creativity is about creating something your own. And that’s it.

You don’t need special training, expensive equipment, or lightning bolts of inspiration. You just need to start where you are, with what you have, and give yourself permission to try.

The creative part of yourself that you weren’t even sure was still there? It’s been waiting for you all along.

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And to read the Creativity Helm newsletter, with stories, music principles (no experience needed), and simple steps you can take right away to reconnect with your creativity, go to CREATIVITY HELM NEWSLETTER

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