Creativity at its Core: Our Why and Our Drive

There are a plethora of auxiliary topics to be discussed surrounding creativity. As plentiful as there are creatives out there to talk about them. Process, inspiration, approach, routine, schedules, business, craft, disciplines, attributes. What I love about these conversations is that there is never an end to them, especially because we are striving to develop and stretch ourselves and our creativity. What I am always interested in, more than formulas or process or goals even, is the core of why we create. The core of creativity in and of itself. Why we do it, our drive to continue on this path that although beautiful is a constant challenge both on a personal level and on a societal level as well.

At its core, creativity is expansive. It is not a finite resource, it is all encompassing; a way of life beyond a job, a business, a hobby, or a mindset. Like exercise, healthy eating, self care, creativity is a lifestyle; a way of thinking differently, a way of understanding the world and ourselves within it and at the same time in spite of it. Creativity helps us grow in ways society can’t. It is a rebellious act to choose creativity, to choose a life that feels indulgent and playful. By the same token it is a courageous life, a vulnerable life, one that opens you up to incredible connection, but also can make you feel very separate. This dichotomy, this oppositional existence puts creatives in a place to grow differently, to develop in new ways. 

Following are the four core characteristics creatives develop because of our why and our drive to choose this challenging, beautiful, peaceful, life of delight and growth.  

Soft strength

Creatives have an inherent drive to be courageous. Making things, sharing them with the world, confronting our beginner over and over again takes courage because it is intensely vulnerable work. It is opening ourselves up to criticism, making cringe worthy progress, admitting we are learning, baring ourselves in whatever art we choose to make. These are scary moments that take courage to face up and show up to. In doing so, in braving this life of abundance and authenticity we develop a soft strength. The kind of strength that is steel in our spines and fire in our souls. We don’t don armor or shy away and hide to protect our vulnerability. We also don’t rush into battle to expose parts of ourselves that aren't quite ready to emerge. We softly, gently encourage our inner world to manifest in our reality. It’s not about building a thick skin, but we also can’t crumble when the trolls of the world choose to, well…troll us and our creations. Instead we step into our own personal power, into soft strength. A strength that is not loud or forceful but is a force of nature that wraps us in coziness as we recover from a vulnerability hangover and deftly deflect not only outside opinions of people who are committed to misunderstanding us, but the slings and arrows of our own inner critics. Our strength is the courage to be vulnerable enough to create in the first place, and then deal with everything that comes after. Our softness lies in gently anchoring ourselves in vulnerability and authenticity. 

Quiet Consistency

Creativity is a practice. Although it is a soul reviving one, it can also be challenging, frustrating, and confusing at times. A creative’s inner core is a fiery ball of persistence. It burns brightly, but it does not consume us from within; it does not burst forth in a rage. Our persistence roars in our depth, gives warmth and light, burns softly as embers, and flickers like flames. It brings us closer to peace in our practice through propelling us in quiet consistency. Consistency is not a schedule or a daily requirement, nor is it a showy act. Quiet consistency brings us closer to our authenticity, embeds us deeply in our practice, and gifts us peace whether our consistency looks like five hours or five minutes, every day, or once a month. It is steady. We build trust with our practice and with ourselves by showing up just for us, simply, kindly, on days that excite us and in moments where we feel ourselves buckle. Not only do we persist in our consistency of practice, but by doing so creatives persist in a state of peace within their souls. When we are quietly consistent, building self trust, calling on our inner worth and identity we no longer need to entertain the external noise of judgement or criticism. Make no mistake, this does not mean we are soft in our pursuit; quite the opposite. Creativity requires us to actively show up and drive ourselves forward with tenacity. That is the ever burning fire that keeps us consistent.  

Connection in Community

Humans were never meant to be alone. Community is safety. Connection is security. Creatives are in search of connection and community at all times, whether we realize it or not. We feel different, we think differently, we are searching for others to connect with as we are, to understand us and form a community of people who support and create and encourage one another to shine as they are. In order to be part of such a building of community, to encourage others to join us, we first need to share. Share our creations, share who we are and in doing so forge connections. Creativity affords us the opportunity to create belonging. Connection is a driving force for human interaction; creativity is an extension of that desire. By sharing our creativity and encouraging others to share with us we deepen those initial contacts to create network of mutual support. Sharing is generous; community is built on the premise of sharing our assets, pooling our resources. Those acts of generosity are an active force of gentle encouragement. In community not only do we give encouragement, but we finally have a place to receive it in a world that often tries to minimize and devalue creativity. It is integral to remember that being generous in service to your community through creativity specifically is rebellious. Encouraging creativity becomes easy when it happens in community; community perpetuates shared values and endeavours. To encourage creativity and thereby build community around it, it becomes exponentially easier to continue to encourage creativity within that community. 

Divine Dedication

Creativity has always been linked with the ephemeral. Perhaps because our drive to create is rooted in the effervescent realm of passion. The trick creatives have mastered is alchemizing this passion into purposeful production; rather, it’s not a trick at all but a characteristic that we bring grace and compassion to: discipline. These two puzzle pieces fit together to form a divine drive to remain dedicated to not only our projects, but to our creativity as an entity in our lives. There is a holy dedication, a devotion that many creatives have to their chosen creative outlets, one that extends beyond their creative practice into the cultivation of a life that protects, encourages, and fosters creativity. Passion drives this desire while hard won self discipline allows us to engage with our creative practice and maintain its steady thrum throughout our lives. The idea that there is an ephemeral or divine element to this lifestyle, to creativity as  whole, is an old one. We are dedicated to something others may not understand. We protect our time to create fiercely; an activity society does not believe in protecting. We remain dedicated to our creativity, to ourselves, despite the pressure to continue in patterns of self abandonment. Our passion is our strength, it fuels us to remain dedicated. And on the days our passion wavers, we do it anyway - that’s self discipline, that’s building patterns of trust and dedication; a dedication no one can compel, one that comes from within.