Where do you get to be creative?
When you hear the word “creative,” what comes to mind?
I think back to college, and being in architecture school. And just feeling so uncreative all. the. time. Some of my classmates came up with wild ideas and “cool” designs and everything I did was so bland and pragmatic.*
Well, technically, I was being “creative” if you go by the dictionary.com definition of creating something. Ha ha.
But I have something more like definition #2 in mind when I think of creativity – “resulting from originality of thought, expression, etc.; imaginative.” Or maybe the wikipedia write-up is even better – “Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something new and valuable is created (such as an idea, a joke, an artistic or literary work, a painting or musical composition, a solution, an invention etc.).”
That’s just not me. I open up a blank canvas… and it stays a blank canvas. It’s frustrating to me, at times, that I have the skill set to use design programs (photoshop, etc.), but nothing organic to put in to them. Everything ends up so… bland. And pragmatic.
So! In my mind, creativity has always been about design. Being a good designer. But that’s just not me. And then I kind of had the light bulb moment yesterday when I was thinking about teaching class, and getting excited about creating a new class workout this week, when I thought, wait a minute! I am creative somewhere – in the workouts I teach! Um, granted, they are not new ideas. But, the sequence of them is! And I get to put my own little twist on things.
And I never thought creativity was important to me, until I thought about how I get to be a bit creative in that sense, and how good it makes me feel.
So, we must all be a little creative, in our own ways, after all. I am not sure why it took me this long to separate creativity from the design field. I mean, hello, you can be creative in the kitchen, with writing, your style, in bed (ha!), whatever.
Where do you get to be creative?
*Which actually gave me lots of hints of what I should do after school, which is useful.
Themocracy
I think I am most creative when it comes to decorating our home, as well as cooking!
I was thinking of you when I wrote this, and thinking, kitchen!!! 🙂
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Um, your blog that you’ve been maintaining for 6 years, full of stories, jokes, pictures, and questions? I think you’re very creative, especially with your photographs of Data and other subjects that have funny captions. You create new content almost daily and it’s very enjoyable to read. Kind of like you’re publishing Kim’s World magazine!
I imagine that being in a field where a certain kind of creativity is valued makes you think about creativity in a particular way.
Aww, you are so sweet! Thank you for saying that! Gosh, now that you point that out, this is really where I spend the majority of my creative energy!!! And you nailed it – being in design is probably why I view myself that way.
Tell me where you are creative! 🙂
When you say “creative in bed,” I’m assuming you mean creative napping? Because you-know-who totally has you beat there.
The only place I’m remotely creative at work is color-coding spreadsheets and our test system. But damn, those colors do have to be just right 🙂
I’m definitely most creative in the kitchen! I love coming up with new recipes, and trying to make old ones slightly healthier, and seem to have a knack for throwing the right stuff together. At least, Bob hasn’t complained all these years.
That is exactly what I meant. And creative not only in body position of nap, but amount of naps, when they are taken, where, etc.
I was looking at a monster spreadsheet today that could have SERIOUSLY used some color coding 😉
But… would he complain? 😉 LOL! I admire people who like to cook and come up with their own recipes!
I usually don’t feel super creative, because I’m just not! haha. I’m okay with that though, my sis got all the creative genes.
I used to create all of my teammate’s floor exercise routines when I was on the gymnastics team and I’ve made up dance routines as well. That’s probably the only place I feel like I’m creative. Sadly, I don’t really get the chance to do that stuff anymore! (except in my head when a good song comes on!)
The same way my sis got all the crafting genes (and looks, ha!)!
I really think you should write up a routine for us, to read about, just for fun! Or act it out….?!?!??!
I think you are plenty creative!! What about the time you threw that party for Bobbi when she ran her goal mileage? Or even your Oscar’s party? I think too often we equate creativity with art and design instead of, like you said, coming up with ideas and implementing them in fun and unique ways.
For example, I am NOT an artist and layout is not my strong suit (I think in squares and boxes) but I’ve had people tell me that my outfits on my blog are creative and I’ve had people say “You’re so creative!” about specific blog posts as well. So, yes, I’m still creative in my own way 🙂
Aww, thanks! Yeah, that is exactly how I think of it. I have to remember I do other stuff too (I mean, work does not define me AT ALL, so why do I let it define that word?!).
I was thinking of you and outfits when I wrote this! 🙂
We’re all creative in our own ways!
I’m creative with my clothes. Especially when working out – I don’t care, but I like to match and yesterday I made sure to wear green for St. Patty’s Day. Not over the top, but fun!
I’m not very creative in an artistic/design sense but I do feel creative when I come up with ways to estimate missing data at work… and when I’m cooking.
My tiny space in the basement is where I am creative 😉 It is the place where I can relax, clear my mind and make beautiful cards, motivational signs, wreaths and quilts for the people I love & admire the most.
I LOVE your running/training outfit creativity!! It is truly amazeballs!!!!
I need to hire you to make me a spring wreath!!!! 🙂 My front door is lonely! 🙂 And you are a rockstar with your crafting!
Aww, thank you 🙂
I was definitely creative in my career (Creative Director in an ad agency). Now I’m creative in my cooking and of course the way I put training plans together. Ha! Love your creative outfit!
I am NOT very creative. At all. I am good at certain things (crocheting GC hats! singing!) but really I am recreating someone else’s work or following a pattern or reading an already written piece of music.
I wish I had more of that originality, but eh. Someone else has to be good at that.
I LOVE YOUR NEW MASTHEAD!
You definitely have originality. I mean, come on, you think for yourself. You don’t follow the crowd. That is original!!! 😉
Thanks!
I’m creative more when I’m working or in clinical. I’m pretty handy to have around in pediatrics since it’s where I shine. I can get a baby to be quiet…I was often called the “baby whisperer” and I can also give an awesome bed bath to a baby! (And believe me, you have to be creative sometimes when they have wires coming out from everywhere!!)
In other aspects of life I’m not creative. I go to pintrest when I need some advice! Hahaha
Oooo! That is a good super power to have!!! So were you already the baby whisperer when you had your son, or is that when you learned it?
I forget about Pinterest! I just don’t get that site! (like, how to use it)
I have been the baby whisperer since nursing school. I don’t know how, it just kinda happened!!
Ha, I am not creative at all. 🙁
I am a very creative person and love to create new things. I have ideas all the time and map them out in my head and on paper. My problem of late (the last 4 years) is having distraction issues (which I mentioned in another comment on another post out here).
My best environment for being creative is to clear my mind of any distractions that prevent me from digging into my personal projects. Once I’ve put my mind into a place, the creativity flows and things get done – rather quickly for most projects.
I am working to get back to that place where things just flow again.