There are certain things that we can all count on as “part of who we are,” or elements of the human race. There are pieces that we all share, essentials such as needing food, water and air. One of those elements is the need to “make stuff”. That is especially true of women. I mean, let's face it, we are the “ultimate” creators of life.
We hear women say, “I want to make something but I’m just not creative”. We tell them what we are telling you, “Everyone is creative!” Creativity is in each of us (yes, we mean you) just like the ability to think or speak or love.
We always find it interesting in workshops, that those who declare themselves, “ not creative” are usually the women who come up with the most unique ideas. What people actually mean when they say, “I’m not creative,” is “ I don’t know what to make and I don’t know what to make it out of and I don’t know how to make it.” That is all about technique not creativity.
Of course creativity doesn’t have to mean writing a book or creating a painting. We all use creativity every day. How do you create a great dinner with a pound of hamburger, 2 carrots and a pint of milk? How do you get 6 things done on a day that only allows for 5? However, we also realize that most people are not referring to that sort of creativity when they say they aren't creative.
There is something in us from childhood that needs to take nothing and turn it into something. We need our “hang it on the refrigerator” moments when we show others what was in us and dared to come out. That’s it!!
We need to connect to others by sharing what was once a spark in our mind, then it was a drawing on the back of a Subways wrapper, then it becomes something that others can see and feel and experience.
The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, background or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before. - DIETER F. Uchtdorf
Even those of us who call ourselves “artist” have the same chain and anchor around our neck asking, “Is it good?” We ask it like it is some sort of science when there is no such critter. Have you ever been in a gallery looking at a piece that all the reviewers are raving about and you are thinking, “I don’t get it”? Then on the other side have you ever stopped on the sidewalk watching someone make beautiful pieces of art, with a tip jar at his side as you think, “Your work is awesome, why are you not famous?”
So “good” is irrelevant. The question is did you express something inside of you that needs to come out? Did it feel good? Did you want to do it some more and did you have fun?
Now, if you have never made anything, where do you start? If you have made things that felt like disasters with sprinkles on top, how do you start again? How do you get those creative juices flowing when you are pretty damn sure that they are non existent?
How do you create when you believe you don’t have any creativity?
1) Take a trip to an art supply store. Don’t even get a cart. Just look around. What creates a little spark of, “oooh, what’s that?” in you. You don’t have to know how to do anything, just notice what is calling to you.
2) Write it down. Don’t know what it is or how to use it? No worries. You’ll research it when you get home. Right now all that matters is does it interest you, does it create just a little excitement in you, does it speak to you?
3) Once you've chosen your new creative experiment, pick up the simplest and cheapest version of it. This is not a time to be worried about wasting product or being skimpy with your fun. Buy enough to play, be wasteful if need be and really get a feel for it. If it’s paint, buy a couple of tubes of acrylic in colors you can get excited about. If it’s yarn, buy a couple of skeins in brands that feel really wonderful to you and colors that feel nice too. If it’s…you get the idea. The point here is to get your hands in the stuff, play and experiment.
4) Now, did you like it? No? Then throw that stuff away and go back to step one to pick something else. Yes? Then back to Google. Look for books on the subject, project lists and put a call out on Facebook for anyone else who likes your pick for creativity.
5) Practice, play, practice, play, read, discover, research, practice, play, play, play. Notice nowhere on that list was , “Ask someone if what you are doing is any good.” The more you do anything, the more skilled you will get at it. How far you care to take your new hobby is up to you. However, the first questions will always be, “Am I enjoying doing this?” “Does this feel good?” “Does this express some piece of who I am?” “Do I want to do it again?”
Creating is about JOY and EXPRESSING YOURSELF. If you follow these 6 steps, we promise one day...you will just be hanging out with a new project...no big deal..and you will think, “Look at me! OMG! I’m creating and I’m loving it!” “Who knew??
