Hi there! I'm Kenzie, and I write over at Chasing Happy. I'm very excited to be here today to chat with all of you - I hope you don't mind my little blog takeover!
A few basic beliefs guide my blog:
1) Everyone is creative. Everyone.
2) Exercising your creativity makes you happy.
3) Very few of us make enough time to nurture our creativity and happiness.
That last one is a big deal to me, and it's why my blog exists - I work to find and share ways to make it easier. I think part of the reason so few of us make our creativity a high priority is because we don't truly believe we are creative.
Sound like you? That's alright, you're not alone.
We think being creative means painting masterpieces or penning the next great American novel. Certainly, those painters and authors are creative individuals. But what about the mother who whips up delicious dinners in her kitchen at home? Or the woman whose home is decorated with beautiful DIY decor? Or the girl who always knows exactly what to say to others to cheer them up, even when the situation looks bleak? Those people are just as creative.
We've got to reevaluate our definitions of creativity and change the way we apply that term to our own lives. If you don't see yourself as a creative person, try this exercise:
1. Grab a piece of paper and write down what you think it means to be creative. What qualities do creative people have? What sort of activities do creative people participate in?
2. Turn that piece of paper over and write down all the things you're good at and/or that you enjoy doing. Are you a baker? Are you good at encouraging people? Do you love reading or watching movies? What makes you feel alive?
3. Next to the items on your second list, write down the qualities that make you good at those activities or that make you enjoy them. What is it that draws you to nature? What about cooking do you enjoy?
4. Now compare the two lists. I'll bet you that several of the qualities you listed on your second list match or reflect the qualities of creative individuals you included in your first list.
Too often, we overlook our own creativity because it's out of context. Traditional ideas of creativity (painting, writing, music, photography...) crowd out the less obvious (but just as relevant!) ways we practice it daily. But making people laugh, cooking, decorating, fashion, and even appreciating good movies often require the same traits we admire in our favourite artists.
The next time you find yourself thinking, "I'm not creative," stop and remember your list. You ARE creative. Everyone is. We're just each creative in a different way. Learn to appreciate your own creative practices and I guarantee you'll be happier!
I'd love it if you stopped by my blog! Or you can check me out on Facebook or Twitter.
1) Everyone is creative. Everyone.
2) Exercising your creativity makes you happy.
3) Very few of us make enough time to nurture our creativity and happiness.
That last one is a big deal to me, and it's why my blog exists - I work to find and share ways to make it easier. I think part of the reason so few of us make our creativity a high priority is because we don't truly believe we are creative.
Sound like you? That's alright, you're not alone.
We think being creative means painting masterpieces or penning the next great American novel. Certainly, those painters and authors are creative individuals. But what about the mother who whips up delicious dinners in her kitchen at home? Or the woman whose home is decorated with beautiful DIY decor? Or the girl who always knows exactly what to say to others to cheer them up, even when the situation looks bleak? Those people are just as creative.
We've got to reevaluate our definitions of creativity and change the way we apply that term to our own lives. If you don't see yourself as a creative person, try this exercise:
1. Grab a piece of paper and write down what you think it means to be creative. What qualities do creative people have? What sort of activities do creative people participate in?
2. Turn that piece of paper over and write down all the things you're good at and/or that you enjoy doing. Are you a baker? Are you good at encouraging people? Do you love reading or watching movies? What makes you feel alive?
3. Next to the items on your second list, write down the qualities that make you good at those activities or that make you enjoy them. What is it that draws you to nature? What about cooking do you enjoy?
4. Now compare the two lists. I'll bet you that several of the qualities you listed on your second list match or reflect the qualities of creative individuals you included in your first list.
Too often, we overlook our own creativity because it's out of context. Traditional ideas of creativity (painting, writing, music, photography...) crowd out the less obvious (but just as relevant!) ways we practice it daily. But making people laugh, cooking, decorating, fashion, and even appreciating good movies often require the same traits we admire in our favourite artists.
The next time you find yourself thinking, "I'm not creative," stop and remember your list. You ARE creative. Everyone is. We're just each creative in a different way. Learn to appreciate your own creative practices and I guarantee you'll be happier!
I'd love it if you stopped by my blog! Or you can check me out on Facebook or Twitter.
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