To: Whomever It May Concern
From: 2 souls figuring it out
As of late, I’ve been pondering the nature of creativity—that elusive uniquely human quality enabling us to meld the fragments of our environment into something uniquely our own. I find myself immersed in contemplating not only the implications but also my reluctance to wholeheartedly embrace ownership of this very concept.
According to its definition, creativity embodies ‘the use of imagination or original ideas to create something.’
The act of making something new sounds universally liberating, untethered by any boundaries.
In a world where many have stepped up, taken charge, and proudly embraced being ‘a creative’ as a beautiful thing. It grants them freedom, endless opportunities, and the power to shape their narrative and yet this quality has inadvertently undergone a process of commodification.
It has to some extent, metamorphosed into a social currency we use to measure other’s worth and gauge our own. This might be because we often conflate creativity with success and the applause from social validation.
In simpler terms there is a contradiction at play: The word ‘CREATIVITY’ promises the joy of self-expression, yet its newfound connection to success and societal approval has somewhat limited its essence, as conforming in itself is an antonym of creativity.
Our societal view of creativity is often confined to the most traditional of art forms, when the act of creation in itself cannot be limited.
For those taking in these words, hold tight to this thought: Learning and self-discovery, in their very essence, are creative acts. Harnessing your childlike spirit, creativity ignites from a place of aimless curiosity, fantasy, and play.
I suppose the creative act involves looking at our feelings within and attuning ourselves to the whispers of our surroundings, relying on the currents of feelings that reside within. To be creative is also to consciously welcome uncertainty into our lives. The expedition of creating something, whether big or small, as a profession or a hobby, undoubtedly entails retracing steps, navigating through rough terrain, and embracing failure as an integral companion along the path.
It demands a nearly delusional faith into something that doesn’t exist.
Remember, DARE to carve your own path. In this life every step you take weaves a thread uniquely yours.
So why echo the footsteps of others?
There’s no need for imitation; authenticity craves no duplication.
Don’t ask people for directions they haven’t been to.
Creativity has no form, no shape, no place. It is what you want it to be.
With love, Aa
