The importance of creativity

Being able to create things is a key part of being human. Using our imaginations to make something, in whatever form, is pretty unique. I think it’s pretty important too.

There are lots of people out there who will probably be reading this thinking, ‘but I’m not creative’. Well to you, I say - yes you are. You don’t have to be an artist, musician or writer to be creative. Creativity for you may mean cooking a delicious meal. It could be making collages or even flower arranging.

In terms of importance to our happiness, having space to be creative is pretty high up there.

For those of us who do consider ourselves ‘creative’ or ‘artistic’ it’s damn well essential to our happiness.

Obviously I get a great deal of joy from writing, both at work and here on Blue Jay, but recently I’ve been reigniting my passion for photography.

I’ve always loved photography, I took it at college and did a course in Costa Rica to learn how to take better pictures. Despite this, I have always been hesitant to take out my big camera - it’s heavy and generally quite inconvenient for capturing the beautiful everyday.

Recently though, I’ve become kinda fascinated by iphoneography, especially since I upgraded to the 7+ which has a kick-ass camera. It is obviously far more convenient to capture moments on-the-go and the results can be quite stunning.

I’m also really getting into Instagram as a way of showcasing my pictures. I’m listening to the Hashtag Authentic podcast, downloading e-books, planning my grid and having fun with the stories feature. For me, it’s been a perfect way to explore my creativity.

How to explore your creativity

• Think about what you enjoyed doing when you were younger. Did you love drawing but haven’t picked up a pencil in years? Did you dance around the kitchen when everyone else was out? Start here.

• Never stop learning. Whether you’re just dipping your toe into the world of creativity or your an old hand, always be on the lookout for learning experiences. Are there courses for what you want to do? Is there a slightly different angle you could look at to improve your current work?

• Don’t be afraid to share your work. Whatever format it takes, be proud of your creative endeavors and show them off. At first I felt a bit self-conscious posting more posed/arty images on my instagram, but I quickly got over it - it’s something I’m exploring and having fun with and so far the reaction has been positive.

• Talk to others in the community. Even if you’re just doing something creative for yourself, it can be nice to connect with other like-minded souls. Social media is a great way to find and talk to others who share your passion.

Basically, the key take-away here is to do what makes your soul sing. If you feel excited, invigorated and downright awesome when you’re doing something, keep doing it.

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