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Be Creative or Die Inside

I have experienced firsthand the internal withering that comes from slinking away from a creative existence. I have also felt the expansiveness, the joy and delight that comes from choosing imagination and possibility. I don't think it's too dramatic or petulant to say that life without imagination sucks.
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Perhaps it's a tad dramatic to assert that a lack of creativity will result in some form of internal death but hear me out because I'm pretty sure it's true.

First, let's define what it means to be creative. Creativity is not about talent or know-how. It's not synonymous with a skill set or going to art galleries or performing in masterpiece theatre.

Creativity in its essence is about using the imagination in an actionable way. It's about coming up with original ideas, pushing the boundaries and figuring out new ways to approach the world.

Every person is creative. You can either learn how to bring forth your creativity or you can cement over it. Either way, creativity is available to you and if you choose to explore it, chances are your daily life will feel richer and more expansive as a result.

But I'm no Picasso

You don't need to be a painter or a poet to express your abundant creativity. Problem solving, compromising, balancing schedules and running families all require heaps of creative prowess. Trying a new recipe, negotiating with your kids, figuring out how to stretch your last $20 - these are all ways of actioning your imagination.

If you're looking for even more creative expressions outside of the wealth that is daily life, you can bring in some low-tech tasks. Draw a picture for the pleasure of it, take ten minutes to journal, make potato stamps or build something. Find things that you enjoy and do them just for you.

Forget about the outcome

In a world that demands results and efficiency and for A to get you to B and beyond, it's crucial to remember that creating is important in and of itself. It doesn't need to earn you money or praise and it doesn't need value placed on it by you or someone you know.

Creativity is about feeding your soul. This may sound way too airy but hear me out. You feed your body food to stay alive. Your soul needs food too but instead of sandwiches it prefers the flavour of enriching experiences. Feed your soul by doing things that bring happiness and freedom and freshness into your life.

Freedom through creativity

I have experienced firsthand the internal withering that comes from slinking away from a creative existence. I have also felt the expansiveness, the joy and delight that comes from choosing imagination and possibility. I don't think it's too dramatic or petulant to say that life without imagination sucks.

Creativity is about more than just being a contemporary dancer or a classical composer. It's about curiosity, openness and recognizing that there are countless ways to approach every situation in life. Feed yourself a soul-sandwich by acknowledging that the world is full of possibilities and that you too are a trove, a magnificent wealth, of creative energy.

Check out Lacey's ebook Yoga + Creativity to explore your own creative energy through the practice of yoga.

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