If creativity seems like the exclusive purview of the skilled and talented, think again. You don't have to be a renowned muralist or an award-winning composer to tap into your imagination. Sarah Reese of Story By Design Events shares her wisdom on unlocking the fun and fulfillment of your creative side.
Defining Creativity
Growing up, Reese was creative in the traditional sense, making drawings and art as kids are expected to do. Her journey continued into a career creating beautiful events for her clients, but she says the aesthetic element isn't all there is to it.
“I learned to be creative in creating quotes for my client. How could I give them the best possible look with the budget provided?”
And while engineers are stereotyped as the furthest thing from the concept of a Bohemian creative, her husband, the engineer, draws diagrams and measurements based on Reese's ideas to help bring them into being.
“I think a lot of people may not be in touch with their creative side,” she says, “because they have a narrow definition of what being creative is—most people think arts or visual pieces that clearly show a translation of creativity.”
Whether sketching, balancing a budget or coming up with the plans to bring thought to reality, new ideas are flying all the time.
It's OK to Play
As kids, not only are we (hopefully) exposed to all manner of arts, instruments and opportunities to create, we perform the most natural creative act there is: play. There's no expectation that we should be turning out finger paintings that will one day be auctioned at Sotheby's. We just enjoy the feeling of paint on our hands and watching the picture emerge.
Our LEGO figurines had plenty to say, couch cushions easily became fort walls, sand at the beach provoked infinite experiments. We can relearn to look at the world this way, and recognize how we might already be doing it.
In one of Reese's recent DIY workshops, a guest said up front that she could not create. “It made me excited,” Reese says, “because I was about to show her that yes, she can.” Being creative requires us to reframe “I can't” into the playful “I'll try.”
Reese's guest not only tried and finished a beautiful product, she also revealed that she's a great cook, rattling off all kinds of kitchen tips and tricks. Before you write yourself off, really look at where your creative self might be at work under your very nose.
Tap In
To start to invite more creativity into your life, Reese recommends some self-reflection. If the traditional standards like watercolors or piano don't excite you, what does? “What are you good at?” Reese prompts. “What gives you life? What stirs up passion? What comes easy to you or is so second nature you barely need to think about it?” Maybe it's blogging about local politics. Or putting sweet outfits together. Or practicing calligraphy.
“Don't box in creativity,” Reese says. “I was sitting in a Starbucks writing up this very interview and a man walked in with a tree-and-shrub-care shirt that said ‘Pruning is an art.' Yes, yes it is!”
Write your ideas down and start to notice the creative impulses that feel natural to you. Think about how that can be a starting point for so much more. Give yourself small, attainable goals and start to celebrate the things you're already good at.
Keep It Going
If you're looking for new avenues of creativity or wanting to get back into it, there's more you can do. Creativity is like a muscle that takes practice and attention to develop. Reese recommends you limber up by trying something that scares you, practicing something you're good at, asking someone to teach you something or simply using your creativity as a gift to someone else.
Even the most in tune with their innovative spirit can run dry of ideas sometimes. “Step away from the project, thought, idea, piece of work, etc.,” Reese says, “and fill the well back up.”Listen to a podcast, check out a new restaurant, engage with the world and generate fresh inspiration.
Bringing other minds into the mix can also get things fired up. “When you're around others,” Reese says, “you're exposed to so many unique viewpoints, which can lead to unique ways of thinking, processing, designing, responding and creating.” DIY meetups like Reese's workshops or collaborations among friends could be just the place to discover renewed creativity in yourself.
“When that fire of creativity ignites, there's no stopping it,” Reese says. “Embrace who you are—what makes you, you—and then go ahead and unleash it into this world. It needs it!”
The Expert
Sarah Reese
Owner
Story By Design Events | storybydesignevents.com
