Creativity & Freedom
Why it is our Super Power in the modern era of Digital
Creativity is a word that threatens some people
It starts with imagining something and then experimenting and putting that work, that effort into public… in a process where we don’t know the final outcome. Risky?
It is both an individual and a collective activity. We use our imaginations make our choices or let our inner self express itself…
It brings us our sense of agency back. We engage as we want to - whether its a blog post, drawing, painting, making music, playing sport, or planning a holiday. It involves our human instinct and choices. It offers to take us away from the noise of the external world.
Creativity done well is not a solitary act - it is a team sport
Think of the NASA space voyages, the art in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican city. Michelango painted the Chapel ceilings but with the help of assistants.
Ignore the myth of the creative genius solo.
Creativity is always derivative.
Michelango created having learnt from others. This is also true in music, old or modern. Artists pull their work inspiration from the influence of past masters…
Life Freedom and Creative Rebellion
Creative stubbornness or rebellion is refusing to take life as it has been handed or suggested to you.
It is not passively submitting to defined life pathways as that’s what everyone is doing.
It is not accepting the stories of how we should live our lives but creating our own life version and letting it run based on our own voice, our own nature.
It is also knowing we don’t know how our activity will turn out, learning as we go and trying it anyway.
Author Steven Kotler notes there’s a “deep connection between risk-taking and creativity, its one that is often not seen”. This is where we find our freedom. Building our own life. Experimenting and playing. Child like….
I write online daily for this very reason. I used to write fantasy stories as a young child
Also recent times, I switched from paid employment to independent contracting.
Today I am building a portfolio life that gives me different domains where I apply my creativity.
This choice allows me to live and travel to different places. Allows me to define who I work with. Also when I work and when I play.
I am lucky. I work, play, learn and create imperfectly everyday. 7 days a week.
What is something you did in your childhood that gave you immense joy?
thats it. Its ok to take feedback from others what they liked. But not being attached to validation but doing it anyway & enjoying it & learning..... :) cheers Brenda
You had me at, Creativity and Freedom. When I was nine I sold 136 boxes of Girl Scout cookies. I didn't care who I was selling to. I didn't care what you thought. I was no different than the joy I felt. I knew I had something of value and wanted you to try what I loved too. It was like knowing your art belongs on the fridge. I was being myself and that was enough. I get that joy in your article too. Thanks for the inspiring read.