Re-Connecting with your Creative Self

OFTEN I HEAR PEOPLE SAY that they really are content with the way they’re living their lives. Yet, they don’t understand why continue to have a gnawing feeling in the pit of their stomachs that something is still missing for them. Or that there is something they are “supposed” to be doing, yet aren’t sure what it is. Or they just aren’t having the fun they used to have.

In working with my coaching clients, I’ve found that what is missing for many of them is a connection to that creative part of self, to what they’re most passionate about, to the natural gifts and talents that are unique to who they are. They are missing their creativity.

Creativity is a gift given to each and every one of us in a form that is unique to each of us. It’s not limited only to the Picassos, or Bill Gates of the world. We are ALL creative beings. When that creative part of us is suppressed, we are actually cutting off a significant part of what gives us great joy and what allows us our unique self-expression. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way says, “Creativity is oxygen for our souls. Cutting off our creativity makes us savage. W need to create what wants to be created.

Discovering the creativity we’re missing can move us in directions that we might never have thought of in the kind of work we do, in the quality of our relationships, and in how we spend our leisure time. Start bringing into your everyday life more expressions of your creativity. Add vibrant colour to your wardrobe, redecorate your office, take a writing or dance class, creatively solve a work-related problem, help your child with a science project, make something special (food or otherwise) for a loved one. Doodle.

Rather than the masterpiece, go for the joy of the creative process, your creative process, and your creativity wants to be expressed. And for many of you, it’s crying out for expression. Listening to and following the call of your creative self is living success… from the inside out.

Choose one area where you’d like to start playing with your creativity. Even if you think you don’t have one creative bone in your body, try it anyway and start small. I promise you that you’ll have fun as you begin to re-connect with your creative self.