How I Started Looking for Creativity in Only the Best Places

Here’s the scene.

Creativity in Action

Two little blond-haired boys gathered up all the small metal cars, re-purposed the plastic racing rails, and spent hours in a world of their own making. As those tiny racers zipped down the track from the top bunk to the finish line padded with blankets, the crowd (of two) cheered enthusiastically.

Neither asked how to be creative. Those two brothers lived in a world of imagination.

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. —Maya Angelou

Kids understand and live this simple truth.

On the other hand, I spend hours angsting over the how, why, and when of creativity. Thinking and overthinking, waiting for perfect before doing—anything.

Who will this benefit? Children know the advantage is they can play.

What is my purpose? Children will tell you to have fun.

But is it good enough? Children never worry about good enough. Doing is all that is required.

Start Doing

Creativity is not a talent. It is a way of operating. —John Cleese

When I read about a creativity experiment, I decided to give it a try. I had nothing to lose, and maybe I would find a spark to ignite my flailing imagination. The rules were simple:

1. Examine your time. If you don’t make time, nothing will happen. Wishing doesn’t make it so, or so I’ve heard.
2. Decide your focus. What do you want to do? Paint, ride a bike, build a desk?
3. Create your schedule. Children skip this part. They live in the realm of spontaneity. I like that approach, but I often find that creating a routine helps me develop new habits or practices.

My Creativity Experiment

Another week or so passed before I got back to my experiment. Yes, procrastination follows me around relentlessly.

As I was procrastinating, I realized that dreaming, writing about, and imagining what I could create amounted to creating nothing.  I idled away the hours pondering, examining, but never getting to the doing.

Time

My circumstances allow me to shape my time with few pressing demands. The real challenge—how to take advantage of the minutes in my day.

I’m a morning person who withers by 3:00 pm. If my creative endeavors have a prayer, it will need to occur after my morning reading and exercise around 9:00 am. There’s my window of time, between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. Done.

Focus

Writing. Like those two little boys, I decided to stop worrying about good enough or who it pleases. I will write.

Photography. I have been taking photos since I was a child. Now I want to create photographs that capture the wonder of the world around me, including people, nature, life.

Music. I have neglected this facet of who I am for many years, rarely playing my piano and guitar or singing. Music lifts my soul. I forgot how much I needed it to feel whole. Chords and tempo will rescue me when I feel drained by the afternoon. I know the beat and rhythm will work their magic.

Schedule

Now we’re talking about real commitment, the “make or break it” moment. I find it easy to create the schedule and write it in my planner. But have I found my creative soul, and will I follow through?

Looking for Creativity

Ah…this is an experiment.  The only way I can fail is if I never begin. Every step, every action opens the door to creativity.

I’ve searched for inspiration in all the wrong places. Where is the best place?

Within me.

The best remedy for procrastination?

Keep moving.

Music for the soul

Words to keep moving

“Yet a life of creativity is all about change—moving forward, taking chances, exploring new frontiers.”
—Austin Kleon

And always—

Be kind. Be brave. Be you.

Photos © Kathryn LeRoy