Finding your creative path
Every one of us is an artist. Our whole lives are a sum of our creations: our personal style, our home décor, the meals we make, and the relationships we nurture, to name just a few. It is important to work for us. It is soul-food.
Creative acts are also a form of meditation. When we are in the creative mindset we are still and focused. Our attention is on the work rather than jumping around or becoming obsessed with problems. We get in the flow and this helps us feel more relaxed and fulfilled.
Defining your creative path
Many of us would like to have more creativity in our lives, to develop a creative path to follow, and to make things that are meaningful to us. But we often don’t know where to start. We are not sure which medium we want to use, and we certainly don’t have any definite ideas about the creative work we want to do. If you are struggling to find your ideal creative outlet — these ideas might help.
Look at what you already do
There are clues to your passions all around you. What kind of books do you read? What TV programs do you watch? What magazines do you subscribe to? What do you do in your spare time? If you are obsessed with being outside, then perhaps nature photography or gardening might be your passion. If you love history programs then maybe writing historical fiction is for you. Do you often find yourself watching YouTube videos on sketching, golf, or coffee?
Look at what you do whenever you have a spare moment and follow this trail of crumbs to find the way to your creative life.
What do you already own?
Do you have a cupboard full of fabric or a painting box, a beaten-up vintage car in the garage or a complete set of woodworking tools you have barely used? You were drawn to these things enough to buy them so put them to good use. The creative tools you have purchased offer concrete evidence of where your passions lie.
Where do you love to shop?
Creating and consuming are not mutually exclusive. You can find clues to your creative destiny in the stores you are drawn to. Do you love to browse in a garden center looking for new plants? Or perhaps spend your time perusing camera equipment or digital recording gadgetry. Can you never drag yourself away from the baking aisle in the supermarket?
Your shopping habits offer clues to your creative desires.
What did you love to do as a child?
Looking at your childhood pursuits can provide a treasure trove of creative ideas. As children, we had more free time, less pressure and obligations and were able to follow our inner desires more frequently.
We were also more open to what was possible as children before society taught us to be practical and useful and not to dream too big. Many of us were told that we couldn’t make a living as an artist, potter, writer or wood-turner, so we gave up on our dreams. Reconnecting with our childhood passions can help us find the inner creative hidden beneath the layers of obligations and free our creativity from negative lessons we learnt about our art.
Did you spend your childhood making up stories, creating mini-plays, drawing, painting, collecting things? What made you curious as a child? Does it still fascinate you now? What could you do now to begin to nurture your creative dreams once more?
What do you do when you are procrastinating?
What you do when procrastinating offers clues as to what you might really like to do. It doesn’t always work. I procrastinate by tidying and cleaning, but I’m pretty sure I don’t want to be a cleaner. But I also procrastinate by reading books on writing, self-help books, creativity books and novels — that’s how I know I’m on the right path.
If you procrastinate by browsing cookery books, then maybe you want to spend more time baking or even start a catering business. If you prefer to spend your time viewing online galleries than getting your admin sorted, then chances are you are neglecting your inner painter. If you love chatting with your friends and helping them through their problems, then you might want to retrain as a therapist or coach.
Consider a class
If you are still not settled on your path, then sign up for a class in a subject that intrigues you. This is often more cost-effective than buying the equipment you need to experiment and find what it is you love. Start with a short course so you can change your mind and try out a few ideas if the first one doesn’t inspire you.
Time to choose
Don’t fall into the trap of endlessly exploring, reading and researching your creative path. Creativity is about the act of doing. Pick something that interests you and get started. You can always tweak your ideas or change path completely later.
Creating fulfils a strong human need and enriches our lives.
So — go and get started!
Recommended reading:
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Fearless Creating by Eric Maisel
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
