By Dan Goodwin

How many people close to you realise how important a part creativity plays in your life? How much do YOU acknowledge how crucial creativity is to your wellbeing, happiness and enjoyment of life?

If we ourselves aren’t prepared to fully admit to being creative artists, then it would be foolish to expect those close to us to understand or support our creative lives.

How can you live an authentic life, how can you be true to yourself and your artistic ambitions if you’re hiding your talents from the world?

Here are 5 compelling reasons to come out and shout loud - “I’m creative and I’m proud”

1. You give your creativity permission to be all it can be. Permission is a huge word when it comes to creativity. When you create without telling anyone, you’re sending a strong message to your creative mind. That message is that creating is something to be ashamed of, or embarrassed about, like a terrible crime or a dirty secret. What kind of environment does that provide for you to create in? Certainly not one that encourages any kind of freedom or willingness to create! The more open you are with yourself about creating, the easier it becomes for you to be as creative as you can be.

2. You become a role model and an inspiration to others. If you’re creating in secret, how many others do you think are in a similar position? How many people that you count as friends also struggle with hidden creative lives that no-one knows about? When you create openly yourself, you’re sending out the message that it’s OK to be an artist and explore your creativity. People you come into contact with will hear this message and be inspired to be more open with their own creating, which in turn inspires others they know, and so the waves spread. As a member of an international community of artists don’t you think it’s your duty to wear the badge proudly?

3. You help people to accept the real you. For those of us who create, it’s a vital part of our lives. Try to imagine what it would be like to not create at all. It’s simply impossible, we’d be dead. So given that creativity is a core part of your personality, if you keep it hidden from others around you, how honest are you being in those relationships? How easy are you making it for the people close to you to accept and embrace the real you? Be open about being an artist and give those valuable relationships the chance to be as honest and fulfilling as they can be.

4. You make it easier to connect with other creative people. Being a creative person, you’ll know that there are certain aspects of creating that only other people who create can understand and appreciate. It’s a huge support to be able to connect with other creative artists and share your triumphs and struggles, giving and receiving encouragement. How can you do this if no-one knows you’re creative? You can’t! Not only do you stop yourself from receiving support, you deprive others of the understanding and encouragement you can give to them in their creative efforts.

5. You give the world the opportunity to love your work. If you’re creating in secret, and everything you create is hidden away, or worse discarded or destroyed, you’re robbing the world of the opportunity to love your work. You have certain creative talents and gifts. With these comes an obligation to share them with world. “But spending time on my own creating is so selfish!” you might cry. No, what’s really selfish is creating wonderful artwork and depriving anyone else from having the chance to be moved, inspired and enriched by it.

Topics: Becky Harber, Dr. Frank Harber, Frank Harber |

Comments are closed.

Home | How to Reach Total Flow in Your Creativity »