First of all, what is creativity?
Creativity is what keeps me connected to myself and adds color to my life, but it also requires complex coordination between many parts of the brain. Creativity is a cognitive process involving the development and production of something original. It isn’t just the product of information one has access to, but the establishment of new and unique concepts, originating from your own mind and imagination.
There are actually three parts of the brain that creativity is linked to: the prefrontal cortex handles complex cognitive activity, like decision making and problem solving. Part of the prefrontal cortex is in charge of emotional processing, both components creativity requires.
Secondly, the limbic system, a group of complex brain structures under the cerebral cortex, regulating memory, behavior and sensations, is also a key contributor. It is one of the oldest structures in the brain, controlling instincts such as eating, hydrating and the fight/flight/freeze response. The hippocampus and amygdala (subsections of the limbic system) help us form ideas, memories and adrenaline.
Finally, the parietal and occipital lobes are two parts of the brain responsible for spatial orientation and visual processing, helping us imagine and picture what things might look like without really seeing them.
All of this is needed for divergent thinking, which we engage in when we participate in creative activities. But first of all, convergent thinking is the process of finding a single, well defined and proven answer to a question, specifically by taking a broad range of information and narrowing it down, focusing on analysis and logic. On the other hand, divergent thinking is the same as lateral thinking (considering different possibilities, solutions and scenarios), and makes creativity possible. Kids are the best divergent thinkers because they often don’t know enough about how the world functions to expect the most straightforward outcome.
While some people lean more towards divergent thinking and enjoy tackling ambiguous questions and others prefer using concrete reasoning, everyone possesses a capacity for both. They each have unique strengths that are applied in different situations.
Be that as it may, this is a love letter to creativity, not math. Divergent thinking offers the world fresh perspectives and insightful discoveries, like cream to a bland cup of coffee. I adore the creativity of humans and wanted to take a moment to appreciate all the wonderful things it illuminates in ourselves.
Thank you…for writing
Writing has had a massive impact on my life for as long as I can remember, shaping me considerably into the person I am today. The stories I write reflect my life, thoughts and values (especially when one is about the opposite of my life and the characters have contradicting morals). Though it might sound cringey, the characters I write have individual slots in my personality, belonging to me yet existing in their own way.
Writing lets you explore the world (or another) in any way you want, turn a feeling into something you can look at, and gives life meaning and motivation. Whether you’re writing articles, stories, books, scripts, poems or songs- you’re shaping something that didn’t exist before, and leaving a little piece of yourself in it.
Thank you…for music
Have you ever played a potent orchestral piece or sang along to a powerful song on the radio and felt tingles run through your body? That’s the connection music forges from thin air. No matter the genre, music conveys a message (even if the message is just a vibe).
When I play in a band, I feel a sense of interconnectedness and freedom I don’t get anywhere else. We are there to create an experience together, and everyone (literally) plays their parts. It reminds me that creativity is not just personal, it is always a collaboration between who and other creators, or you and those who are appreciating your vision.
Thank you…for dance
Though I am not a skilled dancer by any means and haven’t taken a ballet class since I was six, dancing has always been one of my favorite means of creativity. Dance allows for such a direct output of emotion- almost like waves of worry, anger or disappointment are flowing off of you, down to rest calmly. When I dance, it’s around my house with headphones on, and I always feel so much better after.
However, it isn’t just a way to regulate and process emotions, it is also a way to express yourself, improvise something new and crazy, and connect with the world in a physical way. There is something beautiful about the way this kind of creation enters the world briefly and then is gone, but not gone to those who took something out of it (which could just be you!).
Thank you…for art
Enough said. It can do the talking.
Thank you…for the spark
The moment of utter excitement, energy and confidence when the wispy outline of an idea drifts through your mind, the way it lights you up, fills your insides with inspiration and renewal.
Thank you…for possibility
Possibilities are endless, and potential knows no bounds.
Thank you…for curiosity
Curiosity and creativity are heavily linked: exploring and questioning rather than accepting things as they are is how ideas are formed.
Thank you…for the color of life
Without creativity, life would be dull and colorless, like a canvas of black-and-white equations. Creativity is the watercolor seeping across the page, the pastels smeared over a notepad, the vibrant fill on a digital design, bringing everything to life.
Thank you…for growth
Creativity teaches us to learn about ourselves and grow from mistakes, reminding us that nothing will ever be perfect, and that’s okay.
Thank you…for an outlet
Where would we release the intensity of the world? How and where we channel our energy has a profound effect on both our mental and physical health.
Thank you…for the freedom
There don’t have to be expectations or pressure. Creativity is about diving into a world of new possibilities and exploring the unknown, asking the “what if..?” and taking the winding path.
Thank you…for everything else!
There are so many other ways to express creativity, from playing D&D with your friends to acting in Capcut films. Just because you can’t seem to draw a hand right or come up with a complex plot to a novel trilogy doesn’t mean you are an uncreative person, because maybe you are a boss at clearing your mind when you do yoga, writing awesome haikus or solving complex social problems at work.
Benefits to embracing your creative side – because everyone has one!
-Increased empathy: creating or engaging with art helps us understand different perspectives and ways of being.
-Improved mental health: creativity relieves stress and spreads joy.
-Stronger sense of identity: your values and personality are brought out by your creative voice.
-More resilience: overcoming creative challenges creates a persistent, adaptable mindset.
-Improved communication and self expression: gives you the tools to share your ideas, identity and perspectives smoothly, respectfully and thoughtfully.
-Better problem solving skills: experience with trial and error in creative work strengthens skills that are useful in every walk of life.
To sum up, I’m grateful for every spark, every struggle and every smile creativity has brought me, and I hope you will be reminded of the remarkable things you can, will and have created.