Finding Your Source of Creativity
Being creative is part of who I am, and I enjoy writing on the topic. I have only recently found my true self as a creator. I spent a lot of my childhood listening to my parents tell me that I need to enter a STEM field if I wish to make money. Although telling me they supported any career path, their actions said otherwise.
It took me one year of deep self-reflection to realise that I do not want to be an engineer. It was a hard turning point in my life because I had worked so hard to get into a top Aerospace company. Also, my qualifications were contrary to what I actually wanted to do.
It is hard being creative. Especially when everyone tells you that it is pointless because “you will never be able to make a career out of it.” So, as creators, we spend much of our time going against the norm. Whilst building resilience against those who speak negatively about us.
Recently, I have been spending a lot of time asking myself the question, “why I create?” After writing about how we can become more creative (see article below this paragraph) . I have been thinking about the driving force behind creativity. From what I can see, no one source breeds creativity. However, there are several sources I have identified which drive people to create.
Not everyone can be a full-time creator, but everyone can create something. And the world becomes a much better place when everyone finds a reason to create. So, the reason for this article is to allow you to find a source of creativity for yourself.
having the capacity to create amazing things is about tapping into the right source. Every creative has a reason for their creativity. And it takes much time and self-reflection to find it. But once you find your source or sources, you will never run out of creative power again.
Pain Drives us to Create
I recently read an article by Amin Sazuki, where he mentions how a break up partly fuelled his desire to write. For those who keep up with music, there are tonnes of songs driven by heartbreak and pain. None of this is a coincidence. I have also realised that pain has drawn me closer to creativity more than anything else.
Pain is an important part of our lives. In fact, it is the preserver of life. If we could not feel pain, we would all be chopping our hands off and jumping off bridges for the fun of it. Pain reminds us that we are fragile and keeps us reserved. But, the good thing about pain is that although it hurts, it can not help but express itself.
We all express pain in different ways, some of us curl up in a ball and cry. Whilst others become tense and try to play it off cool. Even so, we all express pain in one way or another, and it is this expression that drives us to create.
Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the best actors in the world. Yet, Leonardo DiCaprio experienced a painful childhood. And much of this pain he expressed in his early days as a child. He would perform in front of his peers and create.
This is only one example. There are many others at the top of their craft who have been able to use pain as a source of their creativity. We all experience pain in life, and sometimes how we express that pain is inevitable. Such as moaning about the loss of a loved one. But that pain could be the source of our creativity.
The Desire to not be Forgotten
As a creator, your work leaves a permanent mark on people’s lives. Whether it is a painting, article or film, those who experience your work will not forget it. For me, this is one of the main reasons we all need to create. Death is a reality we hate to ponder. It is the end of our experience of consciousness and a journey into the unknown.
But we all accept that it is where we will end up. But, that does not mean we need to be forgotten. Despite us no longer being present, we can leave something behind for people to remember us for. The great street artist Banksy started his pursuit to create art that is illegal in the UK. The street art is so unique that the value of the building increases when Banksy decides to paint on it.
So, Banksy’s street art will always remain as a central part of the scenery of the area. No one as ever seen Banksy, but his name and his art speaks for itself. A man who none has seen before will now never be forgotten.
Steve Jobs says:
“We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise, why else even be here.”
This desire to leave a mark or known for something pushes us to create for those around us. Steve Jobs left a dent in the universe, and it was his desire to be remembered for something great. If we wish to never be forgotten, we must create. And this is the source that can drive us to do that.
An Escape Within Reality
Fredrich Nietzsche spent much of his time understanding why humanity needs God. He was an atheist himself, and often wrestled with the idea of meaning for life without the need for God. However, to his dismay, he tended to come to rather harsh conclusions about humanity. Here is one of them:
“Hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man.”
Imagine saying that to a child who wishes to become a football player. But he is pointing to something about the way we experience and internalise reality. Although I disagree with this quote, I do think it is somewhat true at the instant when reality hits us.
Take not passing an exam as an example. At that moment, you want to feel upset and worried about your future.
However, hope can delay your true feelings and torment from the situation for a little longer. By saying something like, “maybe they marked it wrong?” or “I can maybe resit?” takes away from the reality that you failed.
So, he does have a point in saying that hope allows us to escape from reality and prolong the truth. Daydreaming is a bit like this too. We can escape reality for a short second with our thoughts.
Now, both daydreaming and hope are associated with creativity. However, I see it differently from the great philosopher.
Creativity is not an escape from reality. I do not believe that is a source of creativity. It sounds more like a source of fear. I think creativity is a small portal to escape within reality. I rebuttal his quote with a quote from Lloyd Alexander:
“Fantasy is hardly and escape from reality. It is a way of understanding it.”
The desire to experience reality in another way is a source for some creatives. The song “My Foolish Heart” by Victor Young, has been recomposed by many jazz artist. Including the famous pianist Bill Evans.
We can experience different versions of the song because of our differing experiences. Our unique views give us a small escape within reality, and our desire to express these views cause us to create.
Finding the Source of Your Creativity
I have found that these are the three sources that bring about my creativity. It is good to know where you source your creativity from because then you can continue to tap into it.
These are only three that have affected me and others I know who are in the creative space. But it would be great to know what sources fuel your creativity? I am always looking for ways to help creatives sharpen their craft and add value to others.
If you have not found your source of creativity, this article has given you some suggestions on what it might be. As I told you, it took a year for me to realise the reasons behind my creativity so, do not expect it to come overnight. But do start to think about it because it will help you create better.
For those who have found it, continue tapping into the source. It is a never-ending pool of ideas that will allow you to express your creative flavour in a new way.
