The #1 misleading idea about creativity
By Tammy Machmali
Are you shutting down your creative ideas? Are you too busy to be creative? Do you tell yourself that creativity is not practical and that you need to make money first? I did all of that.
After all, expressing your creativity is a ridiculous idea, or so you might think. Instead, you follow society's molds. You do what everyone else is doing by going to school and getting a job which makes money but is not your heart’s desire. You chose to ignore the directions of your inner north star, who is telling you to live a creative life as an artist, designer, composer, writer, painter, musician or whatever creative pursuits you wish to follow.
It is funny that as kids we don’t think this way, but as adults we start ignoring our intuition and our callings. We convince ourselves that creativity is for people who have the time or money to be able to create. We convince ourselves we are not good enough, when children will scribble and finger paint and come up with stories as much as they please.
But really everyone should pursue their creativity. It will make the world a happier, and more fulfilled place.
I believe that everyone, no matter what they do, uses creativity in some area of their life. I see it this way: people use creativity in their jobs, no matter what career. People create meals, bake cakes, design homes, etc. They strategize and creatively problem-solve in teaching, finance, medicine, and more. The more people use their creative side, the more they matter in their given field. Creative talents are like muscles, so if we work out one passion a little every week, we become professionals.
Take chances and risks instead of giving up what you truly love. It is worth mastering the creative craft that you choose. Don’t let what others say or think about you dictate your life. Don’t let negative thoughts stop you from living a fulfilling, happy life -- one where you enjoy your creative freedom.
Free yourself from living a miserable life, working a career that someone else wanted for you, or you chose out of fear of what others would think about you. Instead, manifest the creative life you wanted for yourself at a young age.
Explore. Learn. Master what you choose as your creativity. Take actions to pursue your passion.
Even though today I am a full-time artist and run lots of workshops, as a child I felt shy and awkward. I used painting from a young age to make sense of the chaos which I perceived so profoundly. Creating and painting became a way to comprehend the world and express my feelings, which I now recognize as my spiritual path, through which I was able to begin engaging with the world in a healthy, conscious way.
My family was artistic, but they treated it like a hobby. They did not believe that being an artist was as valid as other professions. My grandmother mastered the creative craft of making Persian carpets. She earned an income and supported her family with her art. Still, she did not respect a creative profession as much as she respected being a teacher, a lawyer, or a doctor. When I went to college, people constantly asked me what degree I was obtaining in the hopes that I would pursue law. I finally started listening to my inner voices and whole-heartedly pursued art as a young adult. I still remember the shocked look on my grandfather’s face when he saw one of my oil paintings in 1993. He was surprised, I think, because for the first time he understood that paintings bring out emotions, and they can elevate and inspire.
It was moments like those, as well as my mediation practice, which allowed me to break free of social molds and pursue my true love.
I know that creativity is good for everyone. I utilize my combination of painting and meditating to show others how to find the courage to live an engaged life, regardless of the circumstances they have faced. They find that they feel present and focused after they explore their creative side. And that their creative activities stimulate positive thoughts and self-esteem. I encourage you to take a leap of faith and start creating.
Xo Tammy
Ps. I’d love to hear what has been YOUR creative blocks and what did you do about them. What are you creating? Please connect and let me know.