Insert Creative Title {Self-Discovery, Word by Word}

Here’s a confession: I procrastinated on this particular Self-Discovery, Word by Word post. For those who don’t know me well, I do not procrastinate. I’m the one who has turned in the paper before the professor has had a chance to explain the requirements. I shop for food for a party so far in advance that I have to re-shop because it’s all gone bad. I was ready by day one with gratitude, vulnerability, and authenticity. Dawdling is not my thing.

But when Margarita, who blogs fabulously over on the body image hub, Weightless, introduced this month’s words as creativity, my stomach sort of did one of those somersault deals. Kind of like the ones it does when I see a rollercoaster or a fish swimming toward me (I haven’t told you about my fish phobia? Another time…). I can clearly identify this emotion as fear.

Exploring this fear a little deeper, I recognized that it comes from a lifetime of telling myself that I. am. not. creative. It was part of my story. My husband studied at one of the premier art and design programs in the country. My brother creates beautiful abstract paintings using large printing machines. I have friends who take beautiful photographs, write music, perform on stage. Me? I read. I learn. I run. I myself am just not creative.

Or so I’ve always said.

What I recognized in reflecting on this word is that because I have always considered myself uncreative, I have avoided creative endeavors at all costs. Sure, I’ll be the first in line at the Van Gogh museum and download beautiful music all day long. But when it comes to expressing myself creatively, I’ve held back. This has then, in what we psychology-types call the self-fulfilling prophecy, confirmed my belief that I am not creative.

Well, you know what? That’s just wrong.

Watch out, I’m about to go all CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy, for those of you playing along at home) on you here. Some self-therapy, if you will. Seriously, play along. Use one of your own limiting beliefs.

What is the evidence against this thought or belief?

Creative is not something you “are” necessarily. It’s a practice. And I practice things like writing quite often. In fact, I think I’m a fairly creative writer. While I am a lover of all things grammar and don’t go to e.e. cummings levels of defying convention, I can think outside the box now and then. In fact, I come up with some creative ways of looking at situations for my clients all the time.

What’s an alternative explanation or viewpoint?

Perhaps I am creative, just not in the Salvador Dali kind of way. Creativity is all about cognitive flexibility. It’s about being able to step away from a linear way of thinking and explore other options. I am able to do that, especially when I’m feeling more at ease and it’s something I enjoy or care about.

What is the worst that could happen (if you tried to be creative)?

You could all laugh at me. (But that could happen even if I didn’t try to be creative. Come to think of it, it often does.)

I could fail. (But then again, can you really “fail” at creativity, really?)

I could learn that I am not so sucky at being creative. (And then that might mean I have to try more often… scary!)

We could go on, but for the sake of making it in time to send this to Margarita, I’ll wrap this puppy up. I’m thrilled to have been able to use this word to challenge my own thoughts. That’s what self-discovery is all about. So while I won’t be winning any Grammy’s or Tony’s or Mike’s (I made that last one up. Obviously.), maybe I’ll give that photography class a whirl.

Do you consider yourself creative? How have you learned to challenge your limiting beliefs?

{Image Credit :: Justin Solomon}