Street art in a Melbourne side street
“I’m not creative, I can’t draw.”
This is a common statement I have heard on multiple occasions. Since when did being creative come down to drawing capabilities? If we box creativity into being exclusively for the poets, the dancers and the painters we only see half the picture. Pen and paint are just a few of the many tools used to express, make and create. Creativity is boundless. It cannot be confined to one industry or style. Being creative is part of our human nature. The birds form beautiful nests and the spiders make complex webs. How much more are you capable of as a human being? By believing you are not creative you’ll miss noticing the dynamic you bring when you walk into a room or the unique way you show kindness.
A creativity test was carried out on a group of five year olds and thirty year olds. The researchers concluded that non-creative behaviour is learned (1968 creativity research by George Land). Limitations can be placed on our creative capacity as we grow up. We compare our skills with others and give up on our own creative endeavours. These mindsets swallow up room to develop and become confident in your individual style. Entertainment is another limitation. We become addicted to consuming digital content. As a result, we run out of time to allow our own creative juices to flow.
When you recognise the way in which creativity is displayed through you, no matter how ordinary it may seem, a fresh confidence is released. A new sense of purpose is unleashed and you’re able to roam in these fields of endless creativity.