The CCS Ultimate Creativity List...

[Dan Goodwin]

I had an idea based on a discussion in the Thirty Days of Creating group. Let's create a combined list of all the many different ways we can be creative.

There must be hundreds!

Then anyone who starts to feel they're not being very creative can visit here and realise how much they're creating and not acknowledging.

It's easy to think of yourself only being creative when it's some recognised art form, like painting a picture, or writing a story, or taking a photograph.

But what about all the other ways, like how you dress, preparing a delicious meal, creating connections and relationships with others, creating space in your house and mind for new creativity, to give just a few examples...

Everyone free to contribute, just list below all the different ways you create, or could create...

[Dan Goodwin]

These are great examples Robin that aren't in the "traditional" arts. I think the creativity of scientists, mathematicians, engineers, even architects and designers, is greatly overlooked.

[Karen]

Robin, you got there before me, but I just had to add to it. :) I worked for a while as a computer programmer and it was amazingly creative. We took input and changed it with commands and calculations to produce the desired output, just as you take an idea and then apply paint, wood, fibre etc. to transform the idea into the wanted result, be it image, melody, object etc.

It's a pity that we separate 'art' from 'science', when they're seamless. As you said, what is scientific experimentation, but somebody going "hey, if I took x and y, and tried to do z, I wonder what would happen?" For that matter, what is logic or philosophy but someone saying "given x and y, how can I get to z?"

My brother took art for matric (high school exit exam) and is now an electronic engineer. My oldest daughter (19) is a physics/maths/comp sci geek (who I had to rehabilitate from her junior school art teacher, who all but killed her creativity, by actually PAINTING OVER her painting, grrrr.) She loves creating in geometry and calculus and solving equations. (WAY beyond me, but that is besides the point). Often, at the start of a weekend, she will say "I feel like making something," and then dive into my art supplies and clean waste collection, and come up with a novel and aesthetically beautiful result. She is also nuts about origami, such a mathematical, geometric art form.

It all nurtures the same wellspring, the only difference is the medium. Creativity is really one of mankind's finer attributes, isn't it?

Now, if I could only get said darling daughter, her to put my things BACK...! ;)

[abstract4art]

Dan, This reminds me that I worked for a large computer company for 24 years and among the things I did was Accounts Receivable. I actually found that job fulfilling and creative, finding ways to get customers to pay, correcting billing, etc, etc.

I thought of something else. I keep thinking of ways to improve appliances, bathroom fixtures, products that we purchase. This seems to be a creative activity to me. If only I could earn some money with that!

[Dan Goodwin]

Exactly Franchi, you see how it's working, the more we think about how we put our creativity to use, the more ways we realise and remember!

Keep the ways coming...

[Susan Hosken]

Robin, I loved reading your creative list as like Dan i am so used to art and craft, gardening and photography. It is wonderful to think of the creativity of scientists and mathematicians.
Thanks for sharing
Lots of love from susan in australia

[Doreen]

I think that you choose to live your whole life creatively.
I teach art classes to children so I am constantly coming up with creative ideas for classes. For myself, I love painting but don't always have the space for it, so I may take out a small sketchbook and create a mandala or doodle. I love taking close up photos, as well as photographing children.
Cooking has gotten more creative lately as we eat at home more often due to dietary restrictions. Even setting the table can be creative. I love decorating :-) Setting up little shrines, or while cleaning, just rearranging stuff in a more pleasing way.
I agree with Sue and problem solving, too. It's amazing how the creative mind can come up with something that would not have been thought of before. When the mind becomes more relaxed, creative solutions appear more frequently.
I love when I create a new outfit by combining something new, adding a different piece of jewelry.
Kids stimulate my creative mind alot. I am amazed at some of the ideas they come up with. Good to hang out with children for stimulating the imagination!
I also bring creativity into my yoga class, especially with guided meditations.
Like I said, you could live your whole life creatively!
Sit and doodle and don't be surprised if you have one of those "aha" moments :-)

[Dan Goodwin]

This is just such a brilliant expression of a creative life Doreen. I love how you recognise how your creativity overflows into, and influences, so many different areas. There's definitely a lot of truth of what you say about the mind relaxing and creativity coming more easily. I believe creativity is like a muscle, and the more you use, the stronger and more supple it gets, and the better it "performs" in all ways...

Thanks for sharing!

[Lucinda F. Swearingen]

How about when you take an old relationship and make something totally new out of it? My husband and I divorced over 12 years ago but, since then, we have actually become friends. Now we are seeing each other more often and I am not sure where it might lead!!
Any time you pick a piece of furniture out for your home or redo an old piece or rearrange your livingroom or bedroom or whatever. That is an act of creativity. You rearrange your bookcase or your closets like I have tried to do some of that today. I also worked on potting some Purple Passion Plant cuttings for the Christmas Bazaar. That gives them space and dirt to grow in.
There are many, many more I am sure.

[Susan Hosken]

It is wonderful to read all the ways that we can be creative. I think mostly i underestimate the times I am doing creative thinking and sorting out things to do next. I often get caught up in the doing part of creativity as opposed to the thinking and planning creative element.
lots of love from susan in australia

[Dan Goodwin]

Our minds are constantly creating, you can't turn it off. I so often have an idea, write and down, and almost say to my mind - "see what you can do with this, I'll leave it with you, let me know if you come up with anything..." and sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. But I know my creativity is always bubbling away in the background, planning and thinking, like you say Susan...

[Dan Goodwin]

That's a excellent example about relationships Lucinda. Creating trust, support, affection and many other aspects in a relationship takes creativity and commitment. Maintaining good relationships is one of the most creative and rewarding parts of our lives.

Also, creativity in the home can be anything from arranging furniture, or repurposing a piece of furniture, to all the examples you mentioned. I remember once I rearranged all my books in spine colour order ha ha. Not that I was procrastinating at all... ; )

[abstract4art]

What an amazing idea, Dan! I'll bet your book shelves looked so much more interesting!