In our increasingly distracted, over-scheduled lives, who has time for paper mâché, writing, music, acting, cookie decorating, painting, or drawing?
Am I nailing the cliché and the stereotype?
We’ve been conditioned to think creativity belongs in an art museum, or that it’s Stephen King hunched over a typewriter, or Taylor Swift working out lyrics on the piano. But creativity isn’t confined to galleries or stages—it shows up everywhere in everyday life.
Here’s how:
1. Creativity is problem-solving, not just artistry.
It’s not just about producing something beautiful to hang on a wall—it’s a mindset, an avenue toward solutions. Think about it:
No time to run to the grocery store—what dinners have you cobbled together from a half-empty fridge?
Ever designed a presentation and wondered how to grab attention—maybe by weaving in a story?
Planned a party on a shoestring budget?
That’s creativity. It’s resourcefulness at work.
2. Creativity isn’t originality—it’s authenticity.
There’s no such thing as a brand-new idea. But there’s also no one else like you. Creativity is taking what exists and making it yours.
A recipe becomes your signature dish.
An AI prompt turns into a story only you could tell.
A writing project is shaped by your voice, your lens, your lived experience.
As a novelist, I even have to list “comp titles” when I query agents—proof that others have written something similar, but never exactly like me.
3. Creativity is a skill, not a trait.
It’s not something you’re born with or without. It’s something you build through practice. Here’s a quick exercise: grab a piece of paper and write down everything you can think of to do with a newspaper.
If your first answer was “read it,” great. Now stretch yourself: wrapping paper, a sailboat, a birdcage liner, a makeshift tablecloth, even a ransom note! The longer you go, the more inventive your answers get. That’s creative muscle in action.
The truth is, creativity belongs to everyone. It’s not reserved for artists—it’s for parents, entrepreneurs, problem-solvers, leaders, and anyone willing to flex it.
I’m on a mission to get us off our phones (yes, I see you scrolling right now) and into the habit of exercising our minds. Creativity is the best investment you’ll ever make in yourself.
So, when was the last time you surprised yourself—by being resourceful, making something uniquely yours, or coming up with a delightfully zany idea?