This week, I’ve been very inspired by my talk with Greg Wise, and how he talked about creativity happening at the edge. As I do consider myself creative, I wanted to delve into how I see my creativity with Greg’s framework in mind.
Creativity is not just a natural gift or a fleeting moment of inspiration. It’s an energy that thrives at the edges of our comfort zones, where we challenge ourselves to push boundaries and venture into the unknown. It is in these spaces of exploration and slight discomfort that our most profound insights and groundbreaking ideas emerge.
Why Creativity Happens at the Edges: Our comfort zones provide a sense of safety and predictability, but they can also stifle innovation. When we stay within familiar boundaries, we limit our exposure to new experiences and perspectives. Creativity flourishes when we step into the unknown, where the mind is forced to adapt, rethink, and find novel solutions. The edges of our experiences are where we confront our thoughts and emotions in new ways, fostering a fertile ground for creative thinking.
Safe Ways to Push Boundaries:
Experiment with New Activities:
Try a hobby you've never considered before, such as painting, dancing, or playing a musical instrument.
Attend workshops or classes in subjects outside your usual interests to stimulate new ways of thinking.
Change Your Environment:
Rearrange your living or working space to break the monotony and inspire new ideas.
Travel to new places, even if it’s just exploring a different part of your city. The new sights, sounds, and cultures can ignite creativity.
Engage with Diverse Perspectives:
Have conversations with people who have different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. These interactions can challenge your viewpoints and expand your understanding. This one might be a bit difficult, as we often engage in debates with people of different perspectives, rather than trying to embody opposing and differing ideas. Sit with them for a bit, and see how your frameworks can be expanded upon.
Read books or watch documentaries on topics you know little about to broaden your knowledge base.
Embrace Uncertainty:
Allow yourself to make mistakes and view them as opportunities to learn and grow. We don’t learn from our successes as much as we learn from our failures.
Take on projects without a clear outcome. The process of discovery can be more valuable than the end result.
Embracing the Discomfort: Stepping outside your comfort zone can be intimidating, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. To embrace this discomfort, start small. Gradually increase the challenges you take on to build resilience. Practice mindfulness and self-compassion, acknowledging that growth often involves setbacks and uncertainties. Remember, we’re not product-oriented, but process-oriented. It’s through facing these challenges that we unlock our true creative potential.
The Benefits of Pushing Our Limits:
Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Encountering new challenges forces us to think critically and develop innovative solutions.
Increased Confidence: Successfully navigating unfamiliar situations boosts our self-esteem and encourages us to take on even greater challenges.
Personal Growth: Stepping out of our comfort zones helps us learn more about ourselves, our capabilities, and our passions.
By continuously pushing our boundaries, we create a dynamic environment where creativity can thrive. This not only enriches our personal lives but also allows us to contribute more meaningfully to our communities and the world.
Join the Conversation: How do you push your boundaries and embrace creativity in your daily life? Share your stories and let’s support each other in this journey of exploration and growth.
Wishing you a week filled with bold steps and creative discoveries.
Best,
Julia x
I probably misquote Tagore a little : On the seashore of endless worlds, children play.
I thought the idea of an edge(ledge!) interesting;an idea for me is of a central core;and that edge becomes ripples,giving forth to further ripples,back and forth like the tide…but it is only a metaphor and I have written more variations in my journal.The transition between ,a reaching out.
On a practical note, artists often talk about the nuts and bolts of making art,what paint, paper etc etc,the subtleties of making art such as how to create the illusion of perspective or depth of colour and tone.For this one needs practice.
Art critics may amuse artists,as they often offer literal assumptions about a piece of art,a favorite art critic blooper of mine would be ‘Why did Bonnard’s wife Marthe spend so long in the bath?’ Whereas an artist will be enjoying the marks that Bonnard has made with his brush.
Another artist Joseph Beuys has said’Everyone is an artist’ This is true,we make,we mend,we improvise on life’s journey.
Me,I’m back to my sketch books and agree to recognize creativity on others,in all the arts and crafts but also in our daily lives.if something tickles your fancy, have a go; within the bounds of common sense!