To be creative is human. Most of us possess the innate ability to be inspired and produce works of art; however, due to the world we live in, this creative spark may be subdued. The world of business and economics can be incredibly demanding, leaving little time for innovators and dreamers to pursue their passions. For those who do, however, creativity and innovation can be life-changing processes, leaving individuals with newfound motivations and abilities, and a boost to self-esteem and confidence.
While some people may see their creative process and writing solely in terms of products, such as paintings, photographs, or sculptures; others may see it as a calling, a way of life, and a journey to establish themselves as an individual and a professional. In many ways, creativity and writing are all-encompassing processes, with many individuals using the latter as a pathway to the former. As a result, we may not always see the link between the two, as we are not often taught to associate these processes with a career. Yet, it is this very link that can help transform our notions of what a creative and an author look like, and can provide guidance on how to pursue creative writing as a professional.
The Creative Process
Whether you are a digital native or have experience working with technological digital age products, the way we create and consume content has changed. Specifically, the intersection of marketing, technology, and creativity has led to the rise of content creators, whether they are working with bloggers, journalists, or digital artists. This content creation process can be both inspiring and educational, as creators are often driven by a desire to both inform and entertain their audience, with innovative ideas often resulting from the combination of both.
When it comes to the creative process, your first thought may be of the initial spark of inspiration that leads to a “eureka” moment, when everything falls into place, and you are able to execute your creative idea with absolute confidence, to the point of being almost unaware of the process of creation itself.
While this may be a moment to moment process for some, it can be a more gradual process for others. For those who struggle with insecurity, this stage of the creative process can feel a little bit like procrastination, where you put off executing a task until the very last minute, after which you frantically try to complete it, only to find yourself overwhelmed and frustrated by the amount of work that still needs to be done. For those who feel this way, education, patience, and constant self-reflection can help to establish a healthy balance, allowing creators to understand the importance of taking time to develop their processes and systems, and to ensure that they are making the most of their valuable time, rather than wasting it.
In addition to establishing a healthy work-life balance, creators will often use self-care and self-development as a means of nurturing and improving their creative processes. Many individuals find that regular meditation, reflection, and a change of environment can help them to reconnect with their creative side, and ensure that they are always well-read and equipped with new ideas.
The Spiritual Goals of the Creative Process
Just as with many other aspects of life, we see the influence of spirituality in the creative process as well. In its most simplistic form, spirituality can be defined as the search for truth and meaning, with many individuals finding inspiration in both religious and secular sources, and using this combined with their own intuitions to establish their own philosophies, practices, and approaches to life. For example, many practitioners of ikizumode, a type of Yoruba Worship, use music and dance as a means of expressing their spiritual connection to the earth and to one another, while some DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) users report incredible spiritual insights attributed to the use of this drug. In modern day America, it is estimated that nearly 25% of the population identify as some sort of spiritual advanced, with many drawing heavily from nature and the environment, as well as historic figures such as R. D. Lauren, who advocated for civil liberties and women’s rights, and was an inspiration for feminists, gay rights activists, and those who sought to undo the damage of slavery. When we look at the creative process in this way, many different aspects come to light, from the need to express oneself through art to exploring one’s connection to nature and the environment through hiking or camping, to simply taking time out of the day to think, and be inspired by others and the world around you.
The Personal Goals of the Creative Process
While we see the influence of personal goals in every aspect of our lives, especially in terms of the ways that we structure, manage, and prioritize our time, when we look more specifically at the personal goals of the creative process, we see a link to self-esteem, confidence, and security. Specifically, through our interactions with others, whether personally or professionally, we can gain a greater understanding of ourselves, and gain self-confidence, as well as a feeling of security, stemming from both within and without.
Writing as a Path to Creative Processes
Writing has been used for centuries as a method of both self-reflection and exploring new ideas. In today’s world, many individuals are turning to written word as a result of the crisis of confidence that many feel as a result of the digital age, where information can be accessed and shared at the click of a button, leaving the individual feeling less certain of themselves, and their opinions and judgement. Creative writing, as we have established, can be both a process and a product, with individuals using the former to develop their ideas and hone their writing skills, with the latter being their final product, whether it is a story, a poem, or simply a letter to a friend. In light of this, many are choosing to use the latter as a means of exploring and expressing their creative side, whether it be through the structured and repetitive practice of writing, or through journaling and Vlogging, where they share their thoughts and explore new ideas through videos, often with a storytelling element, whether it be through photos or text.
Ultimately, looking at the creative process and writing in this way can help to demystify both, showing that they are not isolated or unique events, but rather interconnected, constantly evolving, and influential aspects of an individual’s identity and life. As a result, we may see a greater appreciation for both, as well as how they can support and inspire each other, with many individuals using aspects of both their processes, as well as their products, in order to establish and grow their individual creative and professional identities.