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Discuss: Creativity

In an interview on Gretchen Rubin's blog, Gabrielle Blair says:
The happiest, most content people I know in my own life are actively creative in some way, shape, or form. Creativity looks different on each of us, right? 
I completely agree. I've been having loads of fun creating reviews and posts here on Everead lately. :)

Incidentally, Gabrielle Blair (who I've read a lot about lately, first on the indescribable blog nat the fat rat, then in my alumni magazine) also mentions her favorite picture book of all time, Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall. She makes is sound so lovely that I've put it on hold at my library already.

But back to creativity:
What do you do to stay actively creative? I'd love to hear about it.
Have you got a blog? Leave a link in the comments.
Do you craft?
Do you clean? My sister-in-law says she's not creative, but she can create a clean space out of a dirty one in seconds. It's amazing.

10 comments:

  1. Well, I think you already know what I do to be creative, which is chemistry. People don't often think of science as a creative endeavor, but it most certainly is. Coming up with new ideas and ways to solve problems requires a lot of creativity.

    Having something creative to do daily really does help keep me happy and satisfied.

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  2. Wow, that's a really good point, hon. Wehn you said I already knew it I was in suspense a little -- I couldn't think of what it was. Haha. But it's so true -- scientific problem solving definitely requires creativity!

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  3. I definitely agree with that quote. I'm always creating something - sewing, writing, spinning, quilting, embroidering, whatever, and I'm perfectly happy and content.

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  4. I write! And read. I think reading is definitely a creative process. I like doing crafts and the like, but I can't seem to find much time for them...I guess reading and writing are more important to me! I also enjoy blogging.

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  5. I love the topic of creativity because I think our world can be so reductive about creativity. I once had a boyfriend who was an engineer and I tried at length to convince him that what he did could also be considered art. And I like Jacob's comment because I totally agree science can be very creative. As for me, most of my creative outlet is writing on my blog right now, but I am also always in the midst of a conceptual art project or a quilt or cleaning or raising my daughter -- honestly, I think of almost everything in my life as a creative process. I am creating my life, who I am and want to be, what I want to leave behind, what I find valuable, etc. About the only thing I think doesn't feel particularly creative to me is cooking both because I hate it and because I stick to the simplest, most formulaic recipes possible. Anyway, love this discussion! (I actually have a couple of blog drafts about creativity that I would like to get around to finishing someday.)

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  6. megwrites - I completely agree about reading being a creative process. It's something I hadn't really considered until a couple years ago (though it's a creative pursuit I'd participated in for a long time before). But readers definitely create their own personal imagining of a story when they read.

    llcall - I love that attitude! it's the one I try to take too -- we're creating our lives moment by moment. And I smile when you say cooking isn't creative for you because it is one thing I get creative pleasure from. :)

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  7. Some people are creative and don't even know it! Being able to redirect a two-year old into appropriate behaviors is being creative; putting together a wonderful ensemble is being creative; being a good therapist or coach is being creative. I encourage you to find other ways to recognize your creativeness!

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  8. I forgot to leave my blog site.
    check me out at www.suzannokooncoaching.com

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  9. I am a person who wilts without stretching my creative muscles. I just need it. But I also find a difference in the nourishment that I get from creating that is my passion verses creating that is more utilitarian. That's a difficult sentence, but here's how it plays out: If I create a great meal, a knitted scarf, a poster for our homeschool, a beautiful garden plot, I feel good. Really good. I love those things, that's why I have chosen to do them and learned to do them. But if I go too long only doing creative things that are outcome dependant, then I find myself needing more creative play. For me creative play is a very private, vulnerable thing that I can rarely do in social settings. (Usually doesn't work at a craft night for example.) I love cutting and gluing paper and not knowing if it will work out, or not even having a vision for how it will work out, just going with one decision at a time. I really have to work to overcome the idea that play is a waste of materials, time, or energy. That first splotch of paint on the paper just kills me, I have to really work hard to not run away from the vulnerability of it. But once I do, ah! That's where I get my "soul food." An hour or two later I'll come out of the room just feeling refreshed, excited, and probably holding a few things I want to show you. (Things I had no idea I would come up with when I went in.) That's the magic part.

    I highly recommend Elizabeth Gilber's TED talk on this subject. I believe it's called Your Elusive Creative Genius or something similar. It has a great metaphor in it that has become a household quote.

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    Replies
    1. Bethany, I really liked that TED talk! I watched it some time ago, though, and have forgotten the metaphor. But I remember the story about the woman who was a poet, running in to write a poem down.

      Anyway, I totally agree! And cut paper is one of my favorite mediums as well. <3

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