As I grow older, I realize more and more how hard it is to be an adult. You have to manage your stocks, budget your money, organize your home, etc. If you're anything like me, your schedule is packed from the second you wake up to the second your head hits the pillow at night. Recently, I began to wonder, where did creativity go?
When I was a child, I loved being creative. I loved using my imagination and could entertain myself for hours on end. I still have hundreds of short stories saved on my computer from when I was young. I would write poetry, create songs, and even perform short plays for my family. It seemed like creativity was the driving force behind everything I did. But, as I grew older, I realized that my creativity seemed to disappear with every year that passed.
By the age of ten, I no longer wrote short stories or plays. I spent my time playing volleyball or practicing the piano. While those were surely fun activities, I missed the place that creativity once had in my life. I think as a society we are taught that imagination is reserved for childhood. We are taught to forgo drawing and pick up a part-time job instead. We quickly learn that there is no room for creativity if you want to be a successful adult. I must say I don't agree. I think that creativity should be a lifelong commitment, not one simply reserved for children. Without creativity, how will we express ourselves? How will our unique vision and voice be shared with the world?
Recently, I made a commitment to myself to allow more creativity into my life. I quickly realized that there are countless opportunities in life to be creative. I started my journey towards creativity by starting fresh on Instagram. I want to use social media as my creative outlet and as a way to express my personality. I find that Instagram is the perfect place to share the experiences that have shaped me in a way that is fun and exciting. It's also the perfect platform to spread positivity and encouragement. We all need more of that.
I also took a spontaneous trip to Barnes & Noble to pick out a few new books. For me, reading has always been one of my favorite past-times. I truly believe that reading opens your eyes to new ways of thinking and can spark your passion for creativity. I would characterize myself as someone consumed by wanderlust. I find that reading can open your eyes as much as traveling does, but without the hefty price tag.
Most importantly, I made more time in my life to pursue my love of photography. I've always loved how photos capture the joy of everyday moments. One of my favorite things to do is go on random photoshoots with my friends and cousins. There is something truly magical in exploring new places with your best friends and capturing those valuable moments with a camera.
Creativity is not just for artists. It is for everyday people like you and me. We are all unique. I've always believed that your greatest power is that no one else is you. Creativity requires zero expertise or training and you surely do not need to be an artist to be a creative person. Never shy away from sharing your originality with the world.
