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You’re a Unique Creative Being — Born to Design a Life You Love

We can all live a creative life even if we believe we don’t have what it takes.

Is it feasible to build a creative life that appears contrary to the norm?

I figured out how to live in two different states. Eighty or so percent of the time, I live in Arizona with my husband and sweet Golden Retriever, Merlin.

I spend the balance of my time in California. I resided there for over 40 years, where my two sons were born and raised. I have a deep love and connection to this part of the country. My long-time friends and family are there. No way could I permanently desert it.

Fortunately, the two states are less than a two-hour plane ride away from one another. Flying back and forth is an easy transition.

When my sweetie and I reconnected after many years and decided we wanted to marry, the question of where to live arose.

Since I had previously downsized and moved to an apartment and hubby had a large home in Arizona, the choice was easy — Arizona would be our primary residence.

This decision is creative living manifested.

Both of us loved our states of residence. Bill’s house is large, spacious, and comfy — plus a pool for our dog to swim and a yard to roam and explore.

I had free reign — more or less — to bring my decorating style so his home would feel like our home — more creativity in action.

I am keeping my lovely apartment filled with art I have created and decorated with love.

Bill doesn’t care to travel to California with me often as he feels confined due to its size. That works for me. I am free to visit my family and friends while he is comfortable at home in Arizona.

Some may consider this strange, yet this creative arrangement works for us.

For encouragement to find your creativity see my article here listing five books to help you.

Creativity takes courage. — Henri Matisse.

My friends’ creative solution

For 20 years, my dear friend Jennifer was a chef with a thriving catering business.

Jen’s husband, Sam, is a photographer and the owner of a large studio where he teaches classes and engages in all types of photo processing and workshops. He also led field trips to various countries for emerging and established photographers. Their life was rich and brimming with artistic pursuits.

Now, they are reassessing life and tossing ideas to one another as to their next step.

Jennifer retired from catering and the responsibility of running the show. Now, rather than being the boss, she supports friends in their businesses when help is needed. She can keep her hands in the food industry she so loves — generous and intelligent creativity.

The considerations for the photography studio are downsizing — moving to a smaller place and cutting back on classes, etc., or perhaps going online exclusively.

Jen and Sam are considering renting out their home to travel. The Airbnb income would give them funds to support their trips.

Their prospects are exciting and creative.

As Pablo Picasso so eloquently said:

Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.

My creative outlets

Writing for Medium and publications under its umbrella is my latest artistic outlet. It’s over two years since I published my first article.

What a fun time I’m having.

Before Medium, I wrote a blog — publishing once a week since December 2018.

Prior to writing, I designed collages, and before that — painting landscapes and still lifes were my interest.

What do you love to do? Where is your imagination taking you?

You’re not creative, you say? Of course, you are. If you are breathing — you’re creative.

I love what Elizabeth Gilbert says in her book Big Magic:

Are you considering becoming a creative person? Too late, you already are one. To even call somebody “a creative person” is almost laughably redundant; creativity is the hallmark of our species. We have the senses for it; we have the curiosity for it; we have the opposable thumbs for it; we have the rhythm for it; we have the language and the excitement and the innate connection to divinity for it.

Try writing or pottery, take a class in flower arranging, or a sculpture workshop — the choices are endless. You were born curious — rediscover what excites and motivates you.

Creativity is inherent within you. Find it, release it, and design a life that is as individual as you are.