Creativity connects us with so much within this world. It is neither purely mental nor purely physical. It is neither purely spiritual nor purely material. It is the perfect blend of everything and can lead us down so many new paths depending on our own personal interests and choices. Every time someone commits to creating something new they commit to a journey unlike anything else. A period where new lessons are learnt, new knowledge is gathered, and individual limitations are shattered. Seeing a creative project through is one of the most transformative experiences that allows us to grow in ways we could not imagine. It gives us a chance to prove to ourselves that we are capable of producing something entirely our own; that had yet to be seen in this world before. And after a project is finished, and we start something else, there is only one thing that we can be sure about… and that is that the journey will be entirely different, and yet again we will be transformed.

So Many ‘Academics’

There is no doubt that school and academics focus on the most mental activities. We are there to learn our facts and figures, to read rather than write, to analyse rather than create, and to repeat the same processes again, and again, and again. Although all these things are useful, they do little to push us further as humans on an ever developing journey. For example, is there really any point in learning to analyse something, be it music, art, books, or theatre, if you never make the leap and at least try to create your own version of the thing that you have spent so much time studying?

Sometimes I think that the modern world and its obsession with fame and money is what can put many people off trying something creative. There is often an underlying attitude that if you can’t be the best, then there is no point in trying. However, I think that is the wrong way round. I think that there is every point in trying to create something we love, no matter what success can be gained from it. It is the act of doing it that can be deeply satisfying and rewarding, like nothing else, and I believe that like love, this is one of those feelings we seek out, though often we don’t always know what it is.

One thing that cannot be forgotten is the amount of artists that we revere today who were unacknowledged within their own lifetime. As tragic as this may be, and certainly not the ideal situation most creative people are seeking out, it does remind us that whatever we do create within our lifetime, will likely have a life of its own that lasts much longer than our temporal bodies. There is a chance it could continue to touch and inspire people several centuries away, making it a little like some kind of bizarre time travel, and therefore hardly a wasted effort.

You see, I believe that so many people have the capacity to create and the desire to do so, and yet lack the belief in themselves that would motivate them to make a start. I think this is why we seem to have a large population of academics within creative spaces who love to study, celebrate, scrutinise, and criticise the work that few are bold enough to create. We treat the select few artists, playwrights, and composers as unparalleled, but is it talent or courage? Is it genius or endurance? Is it expertise or persistence?

Through academic study, boxes are put around creative activities that need to be set free. They are overthought and overexplained. Creative processes and methodologies are studied, recorded, and replicated, in order to try and reproduce someone else’s personal development and creative expedition. And yet few come to the conclusion that it is through our own individual path that something new can be created. We can admire so many of the ‘greats’ that have walked before us, and take inspiration from them, but at some point, ‘you’ve got to kill your darlings’, as they say. We have to let them go in order to discover who we are and what it is that we want to do. Or we can get so wrapped up in our studies and the lives and works of other people, we completely lose sight of our our own goals and creative identity.

Creative Expression & Identity

Ultimately, any creative pursuit becomes a huge part of our identity when we commit to it long enough. In fact, outside of the arts, anything that requires years of dedication and commitment, such as sport or athletics, has the same effect, likely because of the time and energy it takes to persevere and not give up.

I found great comfort in playing the piano when I was growing up. It gave me something to be good at and a specific identity that was outside of my physical self. It gave me a creative outlet, personal goals, and places to be that had nothing to do with school. I often wonder whether this is what a lot of children and teenagers need throughout their formative years; something to focus on that is slightly outside of themselves and yet still fulfilling in a deeply personal way.

Nowadays, it seems the younger generations are known for being more focussed on how they look, what they own, and the more superficial parts of their identity. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to be pretty and wear nice clothes as a teenager, and still do, but none of those things have much longevity within our lives, nor can be found to be all that deeply fulfilling. The bigger things in life such as love, family, and friendship are far more gratifying. However, the reason I add creativity (& athletic pursuits) to this list is because it is something we have a little more control over. When we have a hobby or interest, it becomes uniquely our own in a way many other things in life can never be. For example, we can all play the same instrument and yet it will represent something different to all of us.

I don’t think any hobby, interest, or career should ever become such a big part of our identity that we think we are nothing without it- that is dangerous. But I do think having an outlet to express ourselves, make sense of ourselves, or release certain energies is invaluable for personal development and peace of mind. It allows us to explore these intimacies in our own way, without necessarily needing the attention or approval of others. It allows us to commit to something greater than ourselves, that can expand us out of our own, smaller perspective. And it allows us to see ourselves making headway and achieving goals which can be a great confidence builder.

Of course, if we want children to be able to have this experience then we have to give them opportunities. I can’t speak for all of the arts or sports, but I know that since I was a child, opportunities in music have vastly diminished, both in school and out of school. It goes without saying that if children aren’t opened up to these activities, then they aren’t necessarily going to miraculously want to explore or pursue them. Add to that the fact that the arts are continuously viewed as ‘bottom of the pile’ in the hierarchy of lessons, and we can see even more why young people might not see the point in committing to them.

The truth is, that without a creative or physical outlet for emotions, experiences, and energies that can be quite complex for a child, they can begin to feel lost, confused, and dejected. Young people thrive when they are good at something and can see themselves making accomplishments. They become less focussed on themselves, and more focussed on what they can learn and do within the world, likely because they believe they have something good to offer. Naturally everyone has something good to offer, but it will never be explored if it isn’t backed by belief, and it is the creative pursuits that can help build the belief that will start that journey.