Creativity can be quite a large concept to grasp, and we often hear of its value and importance. However, it’s something that may not be so present in our lives. To be creative doesn’t just mean producing art pieces or music compositions, it is also about being in a different space, a space in which we can find solutions as well as think differently. It is also a space where we can ‘play’ and ‘let go’ of our day-to-day doing and move more into our ‘being’. This may seem rather alien to many of us, for we all have never-ending to-do lists and obligations. How could we possibly find time and space to be creative? And why should we do so?

Let’s rewind for a second. Back in 1967, psychologist and researcher Lev Vygotsky said:

“In adulthood, creative imagination diminishes. The majority of people get lost in the everyday prose of life, bury the dreams of their youth, consider love an illusion and so on. But, the creative imagination does not ever disappear in anyone.”

We can all remember a time when as children, we got lost in many creative pursuits and many of these have now disappeared. This is not only a shame for our mental well-being as creativity gives us that space and freedom to be who we are and to express ourselves, but also our creative brains are our power. This is how we have managed to make sense of the world and how we have been able to move forward and progress. It has allowed us to ask: What if..and to turn an imagined thought into reality.

Unfortunately, in the modern world, many of us have become disconnected from it. We didn’t lose it, for it is a natural part of humanity that can never be lost, but we have stopped giving ourselves the time and permission to engage in creative pursuits.

When engaged in something creative, we use different parts of the brain, which allows us to come up with some great solutions and answers to problems as well as detach from our over-thinking mind. It allows us to express ourselves in a way that is not so common in our day-to-day life.

Therefore, to find space and time for a creative pursuit can be something of a tremendous benefit to all of us. Whether that’s through painting, playing an instrument, writing, arts and crafts, photography, theatre or any activity that brings you into the present and that allows you to express yourself is something that we all should make more time for.

Creativity is inherent in all of us, we just don’t know it.