Seeing Differently: The Real Meaning of Creativity

 I love the idea of creativity. I think it's one of the best tools that we have to avoid loneliness and even depression as a matter of fact. The more creative you are the more you can be creative with everything in life. I feel the idea is that we need to be fresh for producing something real. So what is creativity? "Creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others"

So it's defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others. So I understand the idea of creativity. Now the question is that there might be multiple quotes on being creative and let's see what people have said about being creative. 

There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns. Such an interesting thought. If you think about it, creativity is truly the most important human resource of all. Everything from a chair, to a mobile phone to a laptop, everything literally everything is an aspect of creativity. The perfume bottle that I see today, even that is an aspect of creativity. However, one thing to note is that when we talk about creativity we also talk about human potential. We can reach our best potential when we are creative vs when we are not. So go ahead and be creative and reach your best potential. 

Let's analyse this thought now. Creativity is seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought. I feel this is true. What Einstein says is seeing things differently. You can take a look at a lamp and see it as a lamp or you can picture it with a the different aspects of a lamp. Like the light, the steel, the circle below. I feel all of it is an important aspect of creativity. So take a look at different things in different fashion is what creativity is. You can take a look at a situation positively or you can take a look at it negatively. You can take a look at something and be happy or you can take a look and be sad. It's about how you view situations. Things are just what they are, it's the interpretation that we make that makes it all different. That's what Marcus Aurelius has said in his book Mediations. That's the stoic philosophy. Although, it's important to recognize that we are what we are. The next idea is that of why is it important to be creative? When you are creative you are removing all of your mind and putting it in a consumable format for people to read and think about. 

This brings in your best potential and moreover also helps people improve their lives. Interesting. So now the thought.

You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. The more you exercise it, the stronger and more refined it becomes. Just like going to the gym builds physical strength, engaging in creative activities, writing, designing, problem-solving, music, brainstorming ,builds mental flexibility and originality. People often fear "running out" of ideas, but the opposite is true: using creativity multiplies it.

Using your creativity regularly rewires your brain to see the world differently. You begin to notice opportunities where others see problems. You get better at finding novel approaches. You train your mind to value curiosity and exploration over fear and judgment.

Unlike fuel or money, creativity doesn’t diminish with use. It renews itself. In fact, hoarding it or waiting for the “perfect idea” can lead to stagnation. The more you give it away, share it, express it, test it, the more flows back in.

The next question that we have is naturally how do we practically be more creative in our day to day lives.

1. Do one activity that's creative: Anything if that's writing, designing, painting, singing, learning music, anything that has the word called as producing, that activity is something that you should do everyday. Even if it's for half an hour or 45 minutes. Go do that activity. 

2. Embrace Boredom: Although this is a bit counter intuitive, but because our world wants stimulation all the time. I feel embracing boredom is the way to go. Firstly, it's different from the normal aspect of the world. Secondly, when the world does one thing, you should go and not do that one thing. It's just like saying birds of same feather flock together. So remember that you have to do more different things. and embrace boredom. Switch off your phones, computer screens completely and see how your day really goes. Take a break from social media. 

3. Consume widely, not just deeply: Creativity comes from interconnection of ideas. Read good books, watch good documentaries, good movies, and take different experiences. This way you would be able to connect different dots and enjoy your creative process a lot more. 

4. Change your environment: For once go to a coffee shop and work if you work at home. Go to a different location in the office and work. But make sure that you are doing different things all the time. 

5. Connect the dots: The more you connect the dots the more creativity grows.

So that's all I have for today's ideas but if you have more let me know as well. However, that's it for today and I hope that you have a wonderful day !