entry no. 3
july 7, 2018
CREATiVITY.
Creativity can be seen through our take on past creative ideas. I decided to minor in Art & Design because I wanted to legitimize work in the field of design. Without a label, I didn’t feel justified in spending my time on art projects, bullet journaling, sketching, painting, writing, whatever it is that I feel compelled to do creatively at the moment. These compulsive moments often pop out of nowhere. Next thing I know, I’m making a cup of tea and setting up my workspace to start creating.
Another field I’ve been afraid to is writing. I’m not sure where to start. Words don’t come to me in a fashionably ordered line. They jump at me like a herd of animals and then I have to order them as fast as I can before the idea slips away. The fear of not being good at writing has been a strong resistance for me to start. But that has been resolved after I read Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.
She wrote a great passage for when she’s getting read to go on a creative endeavor that I would like to end this post with:
“’Dearest Fear: Creativity and I are about to go on a road trip together. I understand you’ll be joining us, because you always do. I acknowledge that you believe you have an important job to do in my life, and that you take your job seriously. Apparently your job is to induce complete panic whenever I’m about to do anything interesting… There’s plenty of room in this vehicle for all of us, so make yourself at home, but understand this Creativity and I are the only ones who will be making any decisions along the way. I recognize and respect that you are part of this family, and I will never exclude you from our activities, but still- your suggestions will never be followed. You’re allowed to have a seat, and you’re allowed to have a voice, but you are never allowed to have a vote. You’re not allowed to touch the roadmaps; you’re not allowed to suggest detours; you’re not allowed to fiddle with the temperature. Dude, you’re not even allowed to touch the radio. But above all else, my dear old familiar friend, you are absolutely forbidden to drive.’
Then we head off together- me and creativity and fear-side by side forever, advancing once more into the terrifying but marvelous terrain of unknown outcome.”
– Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic
