The Myths of Creativity

The Myths of Creativity

(Originally posted on April 24, 2019)

Sometimes when we think about creativity we might envision someone living a more Bohemian lifestyle. You know someone whose dress and choices appear more unconventional than the average person. 

However, we would be wrong if we thought this was the only way to live a creative life. One of the myths of creativity is that there is only one type of creative person.

As it turns out, we all are creative in our own way. In fact, this is another myth that we are often told, that only some people are creative. This was the subject of a book by David B. Goldstein and Otto Kroeger, Creative You: Using Your Personality to Thrive. 

Because, we all “see the world in our own way, and we act accordingly,” creativity is going to look different for each of us. One of the mistakes we make is thinking that there is only one way to be or do something. 

I’ve always considered myself to be a creative person, but at the same time I never felt I fit the stereotype of an artist. I prefer order, and structure, and really don’t like getting my hands messy. 

I would be unable to function in a cluttered studio with everything amiss. I don’t usually think too much out of the box, and live my life in a pretty conventional manner. And yet, I’ve always been drawn toward words, imagination, art, and information. 

In their book Goldstein and Kroeger use the sixteen personality types of the Myers-Briggs personality assessment to support that creativity abounds in all types. 

As an ENFJ I am naturally a planner, and for me this actually contributes to my creativity. According to the authors, “Creativity doesn’t need to be spontaneous.” The Judging feature of my type actually performs better with some boundaries. 

I find this to be true in writing my blog. Although, I’m always on the lookout for inspiration, if I didn’t give myself the parameters of publishing three times a week, I might not actually follow through. 

Another myth about creativity is that it only has to do with the arts. I see creativity every day in my grandson as he problem solves how to maneuver his world. Just the other day he figured out a very clever and creative way to get his Tonka truck unstuck, and back to working order. 

Each time someone substitutes an ingredient in a recipe, or stretches a dollar, or comes up with a way to reuse something around the house they are being creative. Each person who has pulled together a birthday party using limited resources is a stunning example of creativity at its best. 

You don’t have to be a revolutionary or even counter-cultural to be a creative person. I used to think if I was a little more edgy in my dress than I would come across more artistic or creative. Except, my only problem was as Gretchen Rubin likes to say I’d feel like, “I was wearing a costume.”

What I’ve learned, though, is to be more in tune to my own nature, and not try to be someone I’m not. Being yourself is the first step toward allowing your own personal creativity to manifest itself. 

Don’t allow the myths of creativity to hold you back. Embrace your own creative flavor. 

How does your personality allow your creativity to shine?

Creativity Suggestion 

Vision Board

A few years back the Law of Attraction was all the rage. Now I’m not saying I fully buy into this, but I do know that what you focus on can effect your life. As a Christian I prefer to follow Proverbs, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Sometimes having a visual reminder is a good way to keep us on track. A vision board is a creative way to do so. Creating a collage of pictures and words can be done using tangible materials, but it can also be done digitally. It might even be fun to invite a group of friends over to create together your vision boards. Once you are done display it in such a way to keep you inspired.