Creative Potential

Creative expression is a soulful act. It connects us to deeper meaning in our everyday life. It is responsible for enhancing our lives in a multitude of ways. It is an essential aspect of a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle. When engaged in creative pursuits, people report feeling more relaxed, their heart rate slows, breathing deepens, and a meditative state of mind results.
Suppressing creativity is as problematic as suppressing emotion, and ultimately results in dissatisfaction and depression.
Humans (yes, that means you!) are an infinitely creative species. Every one of you has creativity inbuilt into your genes. You can't help it - so stop denying it! And yet, it is frightening the number of folk I see who claim they are not creative!!
I have never found this to be true - perhaps just unnoticed or unrealised - but never non-existent.
What is creativity?
Creativity is not just about splashing paint on canvas or writing a novella. It involves the application of certain attitudes, like exploration, transformation, playfulness and experimentation, to any aspect of life.
Everyone expresses creativity differently. In Japan, making Tea is a work of art. In Western society, the same is true for coffee. TV shows like Backyard Blitz demonstrate how decorating our homes and designing our gardens are also expressions of our creative potential. Jamie Oliver turns cooking dinner into a work of art. Business success stems from creative thinking and problem solving.
Many people are rediscovering crafts like making jewellery or recycled paper, even knitting has made a come-back. Restoring old furniture, tinkering with mechanical objects, making things for the home are also ways to tap into our creative essence.
Creativity can even be expressed in the way you make love. You might pay special attention to how the room is prepared, or you may create stories, or simply imagine you are God or Goddess of Love - making every kiss and touch artful!
If you are a parent, you will know that raising children and keeping a loving home is a journey filled with creativity and artfulness.
If you are a healer, every touch of your hands is a deeply artistic expression. As a Psychologist, I know that simply living your life with integrity and consciousness constitutes a creative act.
Essentially, every life is a work of art in progress!!
Encouraging Creativity!
Creativity is a team effort between our soul's creative juices, shaped and moulded into something beautiful, amazing, different or helpful by our minds.
- Find something you enjoy doing
- Believe in it as an art form - whatever it is
- Cultivate an attitude of reverence, openness, and freedom towards your creative pursuit
Criticism and Creativity
Harsh internal or external criticism will kill creativity immediately. If you notice a critic around when you are creating, then you should delay your activity until you can be free of the critic. If it is an external critic, find a more supportive environment to nurture your talents.
If it is an internal critic, silence it for the duration of the creative process. If you like, you can bring in constructive criticism after you have finished, this will help polish your skills, highlight areas you can improve and grow. But your creative expression doesn't stand a chance while a voice in your head is saying "who are you kidding, you're not creative, that's rubbish, no one would buy that!" This kind of self criticism is destructive - which to my mind is just abuse and should be stopped.
Constructive criticism asks questions like this:
- What works and what does not?
- What do I like? How does it make me feel?
- What could I do differently?
- How was my state of mind while engaged in that process?
- Do I feel this is the best way to express my creativity?
Finding and expressing your creativity will add meaning, peace and satisfaction to your life. And not only that, when people connect with their true creative potential, abundance and prosperity (not just the financial sort) usually follow.
See if you can start living more creatively today, the benefits are enormous.

Michelle McClintock
Back to Library
At a glance
-
Healing after Betrayal
Is it Possible? -
Modern Marriage
When to leave a relationship -
How Depressed Are You?
Information about anti-depressants and the alternatives -
Emotional Intelligence
A harmonious balance -
Food for Thought
Reconnecting with your body. -
Surviving Postnatal Depression
You are not alone -
The Future of Marriage
Shining a light on intimate relationships -
Loss involves Change
and Change involves Loss -
Intimacy in Relationships
Have you lost hope? -
Living at the seam line
My struggle against separation. -
Gambling
It's been said that Australians will bet on anything -
Is it OK to use touch in psychotherapy?
Is it OK to work with clients who know each other? -
Borderline
Making the world safe again -
When Words Are Not Enough
Somatic Psychotherapy: a therapist's perspective -
If you are having suicidal thoughts...
It is important to ask for help. -
The Within, and the Between
The Art of Relationship Counselling -
The Good Fight
How taking your own side can minimise confusion and conflict -
Celebrate Success
The art of self congratulation -
Please Understand Me
Does personal temperament impact the therapeutic relationship? -
An Authentic Christmas
Give yourself and your loved ones the gift of choice this Christmas
- Temenos Journal (26)
- Time (15)
- Friendship (4)
- Dreams (3)
- Authenticity and Play (1)
- Progress and Process (1)
- Bliss and Awareness (1)
- Poetry (3)
- Conversations (2)
- Reviews (10)
- Books (3)
- Films (8)
- Music (1)
- Library (64)
- Anxiety and Depression (5)
- Burnout and Balance (4)
- Career and Calling (2)
- Communication (1)
- Culture and Society (7)
- Education and Ethics (2)
- Emotions (5)
- Family and Parenting (15)
- Grief and Loss (3)
- Human Condition (9)
- Personality and Identity (3)
- Health and Wellbeing (1)
- Relationships (13)
- Trauma (4)
- Therapy (21)
- Professional Training (3)
- Conferences (1)
- Good Therapy News (2)
- Philosophical Enquiry (14)
- Forum Questions (174)
- November 2019 (1)
- September 2019 (1)
- June 2017 (1)
- May 2017 (2)
- September 2016 (1)
- August 2015 (1)
- July 2015 (1)
- November 2014 (1)
- October 2014 (2)
- June 2014 (2)
- May 2014 (1)
- April 2014 (2)
- January 2014 (1)
- November 2013 (3)
- October 2013 (1)
- September 2013 (2)
- August 2013 (5)
- June 2013 (17)
- April 2013 (1)
- August 2012 (1)
- June 2012 (1)
- January 2012 (2)
- November 2011 (1)
- November 2010 (1)
- June 2010 (1)
- May 2010 (1)
- February 2010 (1)
- January 2010 (1)
- February 2009 (4)
- June 2008 (1)
- May 2008 (1)
- March 2007 (1)
- December 2006 (2)
- September 2006 (1)
- July 2006 (3)
- May 2006 (1)
- March 2006 (3)
- February 2006 (1)
- November 2005 (2)
- October 2005 (2)
- September 2005 (2)
- August 2005 (10)
- July 2005 (3)
- May 2005 (3)
- April 2005 (1)
- March 2005 (4)
- February 2005 (1)
- January 2005 (3)
- December 2004 (2)
- November 2004 (6)
- September 2004 (1)
- July 2004 (2)