As I was planning to publish this post on expressing your creativity, I just thought something was missing. I didn’t know what it was, but the universe has a way of providing those answers. The first email I read this morning was from Hay House, one of Wayne Dyer’s old emails. In it, he said, “The word heart contains two words, he and art, and that leads to the thought that he and his art make up the heart.”
I looked up the definition of art, and it said this:
The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, produces works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
So, as you express your creativity, bring out the beauty and emotional power that make up your heart. Whatever that means to you!
Express your creativity
I have never thought of myself as a creative person. I would make a point to tell people, “I am not creative.” The creative gene stopped with me in my family. As the youngest of four sisters, I was the only one who was not making a living by being creative! My oldest sister, Deb, is a wonderful artist and a life coach. Next is Barb, who is an extraordinary cook and caterer, and the next youngest is Sandy, who is an excellent designer and artist as well. I spent most of my working career in business and as a stay-at-home mom. Not exactly the definition of creative. But I knew I could bring out my creativity.
Deb painted this!
My goal was to start dabbling in things and paying attention to what I found interesting and fun. I tried painting, continued to write in my journal, and did cross-stitching and coloring. I started keeping a sort of bullet journal, helped redecorate some rooms in my house, and started taking more pictures. My creativity was coming out of hiding!
In the book “Big Magic,” Elizabeth Gilbert says that the universe has buried jewels of creativity deep within us all, and we need to uncover them. Her question is, “Do you have the courage to bring forth the hidden treasures within you?” To find your creativity, you need to follow your curiosity.
After I read her book, I decided to get curious and discovered that there are a lot of creative things I do! I may not make a living out of them, and they are definitely not perfect, but I can no longer joke about not being creative.
Unique Ways to Express Your Creativity!
You do so many things in everyday life that can express your creativity.
Being creative gives us all an outlet, a way to say, ‘I can be who I want to be.” We can use creativity to enhance our day-to-day life AND our working life too, making us happier in ourselves and so much healthier too. (taken from The Creative Curator)
If you are struggling to call yourself creative, read the following list and see if you can uncover some treasures!
How you dress
Unless you wear black on black every day, you have your own unique style. Do you wear interesting jewelry? Are bright colors your thing? Do you wear a lot of skirts? Whatever you put on every day requires thought and a decision on your part to create an outfit.
Your work
Whatever you do most days to earn a living, I’m sure you have your own unique spin on it. Maybe you answer the phone with a catchy phrase, you might always have a friendly greeting for your coworkers, you might wake your children up with a song, or you make sure you hold fun but productive meetings.
The way you love
How do you show your family that you love them? My mom used to say, “Love you more.” You could hold hands with your partner, send gifts, or send thoughtful text messages. We are always hugging at our book club!
How you talk
Do you talk fast or slow? High-pitched or monotone? Are you talking all of the time or savoring your words for when you want them to count? I know some people who have a gift with words. They can rattle off prayers or words of encouragement at a moment’s notice. That is creativity, and that is one area I want to be better at.
Your smile
I hope your smile lights up the room. The way you choose to bring joy to someone else is an act of kindness and an act of art!
Sandy Painted This
The way you drink your coffee
I use coconut milk in my coffee, my husband uses cream and sugar, and maybe you order a White Mocha Frappuccino or a Caffè Marocchino.
How you decorate your home
This one is pretty obvious. The colors you use, the décor, and the furniture are all visual creativity. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
How you throw a party
I have a friend who can throw a party like no other. She starts with a theme, and then the food, drink, decorations, and activities all coordinate perfectly. My parties are not so extravagant, but I like to ensure my guests have a good time with delicious food, plenty to drink, and a comfortable atmosphere. All creative decisions we have to make.
Your grocery list
When I make a grocery list, I try to write down my items in order of where I find them in the store. Produce first, then a bakery, meat, grocery, dairy, and finally frozen food. Maybe you use colored categories or an app on your phone, or maybe you quickly jot them down on the back of a napkin.
Barb Made These
How you cook your food
Do you pretend you are on a cooking show, or do you just throw it in the microwave? I love to watch my husband cook. Watching what seasonings he uses and what ingredients he throws together is fun.
Writing
Everything you write expresses creativity. Notes, cards, letters, journal pages, books, blogs, or school essays. How you convey your message comes from your own imagination. Check out this post for visual journaling ideas!
What you take pictures of
Do you like to take selfies, group portraits, pictures of your pet, or nature scenes? Not many of us are professional photographers, but we can use our own creativity to dabble in the art. Click here for some tips!
Doodling
I used to always doodle suns when I was in meetings or classes at college. What was your go-to doodle? Depending on how long or boring the meeting was, I bet some of them got pretty creative!
How you listen to music
Music inspires me. Sometimes I have classical music on while I am writing, and sometimes I play pop music to lift my spirits and dance. Maybe you listen to jazz while you are cleaning or hard rock while you run. Whatever and however you listen to music, it is your own unique style.
Your dreams
Being creative means taking those ideas you are imagining and actually acting on them.
I hope I got your mind spinning, and something in this list will help you express your creativity and find your own unique, creative spirit.
If not, keep curious and watch how your imagination comes to life. We are not all naturally creative like my sisters, but we can bring forth the treasures inside us and put our own spin on this life!
Do you think everyone is creative? How else are you creative in everyday life? Discover all the ways to express your creativity!
I made these! What can you do?
“Do whatever brings you to life, then. Follow your own fascinations, obsessions, and compulsions. Trust them. Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear”.