Hello, creative spirits! Welcome back to The Stress Less Pencil, where we squeeze a little more creativity into your day in just a few minutes. I'm Lorena, your Gandalf on this journey to discovering the creative spark in all of us.
In our last episode, we started chipping away at the big block of marble that is creativity, revealing that it’s not some rare gift bestowed upon a lucky few, but a skill everyone can develop. Today, we're going to smash another big myth: The Myth of the Creative Genius.
We’ve all heard tales of the 'creative genius' - the idea that some people are just born with a supernatural ability to create masterpieces. Mozart composing symphonies as a child or Van Gogh’s genius brush strokes, it can seem like these people had something magical that the rest of us lack.
But let's set the record straight. Creativity isn’t about being a genius; it’s about being curious, being persistent, and most importantly, being yourself. Mozart and Van Gogh? They worked their asses off at their crafts. We often leaves out the hours of practice, the countless failures, and the relentless pursuit of their passion.
So, if you’re waiting for a lightning bolt of genius to strike, stop waiting.
Creativity is more like a garden than a lightning storm. It needs to be tended, cared for, and given plenty of time to grow.
So here’s your challenge for today: Let’s get our hands dirty in our creative garden. Pick something you love doing – like sketching, writing, or even rearranging your living room. Now, spend five minutes doing it with the mindset of an explorer, not a genius. Make mistakes, make a mess, but most importantly, make something.
And remember, the creative process is not about the outcome; it’s about the exploration. As the great inventor Thomas Edison said, 'I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.'
Next time, we’re going to find creativity in the everyday objects around us. Until then, keep nurturing your garden of creativity. Share your creations with us on Substack or on Instagram at thestresslesspencil
This is Lorena, reminding you that creativity isn’t a stroke of genius; it’s a way of life.
Creative Genius