On Creativity: The Art of Being Human

I held this as an 'online talk' recently and it got me thinking...so I spewed some thoughts in a blog to see how it lands. Now, I used to work as a professional actor before training as a Dramatherapist and I like to think of myself as a creative individual.

And yet, I notice that creativity isn’t a constant companion. It ebbs and flows. In times of difficulty, stress, or feeling low, it’s often the first thing I stop doing, even though I know it’s the very thing that would bring me back to myself. Writing, moving, acting, playing - all the little ways I express and reconnect get pushed aside for survival, for getting through the day.

This blog is a reminder to myself, and perhaps to you too, that creativity isn’t just a hobby or a luxury. It’s a lifeline. It’s how we make sense of our inner world, feel alive in our bodies, and reclaim connection with ourselves when life gets heavy. I've popped some reflective prompts throughout if you want to spend some time with yourself during this read.

We often think of creativity as something reserved for artists, writers, or musicians. But in truth, creativity is a human birthright. Every time you improvise a meal, find new words for a feeling, problem-solve, or play with your children, you are creating.

Yet, so many of us lose touch with this part of ourselves. Life, stress, perfectionism, and the weight of “shoulds” can quiet that spark until it feels distant or impossible. This blog is about reconnecting with your creative self, not for productivity or acclaim, but for your own sense of aliveness.

Guess what...we are all inherently creative

Creativity isn’t a skill but rather it’s a state of being. We are creative every time we problem-solve, adapt, or make meaning. Therapy often reminds us that our lives are works of art in progress full of improvisation, adaptation, and growth.

Reflective prompt:

Think back to your childhood. What did creativity look like for you before the world told you how to do it “right”? Could you reconnect with that curiosity today?

Creativity needs safety, not pressure

Our nervous systems must feel safe to play, imagine, and explore. Trauma, stress, or even chronic busyness can put the body into survival mode, shutting down the imaginative mind.

As psychotherapist Alice Flaherty notes:

"Creativity is the mind making connections where others see none. But only when the mind feels free."

'Fresh from the therapy room' tool: Create a small ritual that signals safety; a dedicated space, a favourite cup of tea, a grounding breath before you start. These tiny acts say to your nervous system: you are safe to play here.

Reflective prompt:

Where in your life do you feel safe enough to experiment or make mistakes? How could you create more of these spaces?

Creativity thrives in imperfection

Perfectionism can suffocate creativity. The inner critic whispers: “Don’t bother - it won’t be good enough.” But creativity is messy, exploratory, and playful.

'Fresh from the therapy room' tool: Try making something intentionally imperfect; a doodle, a poem that doesn’t rhyme, a meal that doesn’t follow the recipe. The goal is freedom, not product.

Reflective prompt:

What might happen if you allowed yourself to create without needing it to be perfect?

Creativity helps us integrate emotion

Sometimes words just aren’t enough. Music, movement, painting, or journalling can express what feels too complex for language. Creativity moves emotion through the body and helps us process experience safely.

Carl Jung (lege) observed:

"The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct."

'Fresh from the therapy room' tool: Try expressing a feeling visually or physically today. Don’t worry about skill, just focus on movement, colour, or rhythm as a form of self-expression.

Reflective prompt:

What feelings are seeking expression in your life right now, and how could you allow them to speak through creativity?

We’ve mistaken productivity for creativity

In a culture obsessed with output, we forget that creativity is a state, not a product. True creative work includes rest, incubation, and even boredom. Sometimes the most creative thing you can do is nothing at all.

Author Elizabeth Gilbert says: "Creativity itself doesn’t care at all about results."

'Fresh from the therapy room' tool: Schedule “white space”. This is 10-15 minutes of unscheduled wandering or daydreaming. Notice what ideas emerge when you’re not pushing for outcome.

Reflective prompt:

When was the last time you allowed yourself to create for the sake of creation, not result?

Creativity is relational

Creativity doesn’t happen in isolation. Relationships whether with therapists, friends, colleagues, or mentors nurture imagination. Feeling seen, heard, and safe in connection opens the door to deeper creative flow.

As Brené Brown reminds us:

"Connection is why we’re here; it gives purpose and meaning to our lives."

Reflective prompt:

Who helps you feel seen? How does their presence support your creative self?

Our inner critic is a scared protector

We all carry an inner critic. Sometimes I like to call it the ‘inner shitty committee’. It's that voice that whispers, “You’re not good enough,” “Who do you think you are?” or “Why bother?” It can feel harsh, relentless, and downright mean. But here’s the thing, it’s not actually a bad guy. Most often, it’s a protective part of us, trying to keep us safe from shame, rejection, or failure. It’s simply doing its job, albeit clumsily. The challenge isn’t to silence it, but to notice it, thank it for trying to protect you, and gently invite it to step aside so that curiosity, play, and creativity can have some space to breathe.

'Fresh from the therapy room' tool: Dialogue with your critic: ask it what it fears. Thank it for trying to protect you, then invite it to step aside while you experiment.

Reflective prompt:

Can you notice your inner critic today and speak to it kindly, rather than trying to silence it?

Creativity is a pathway to self-connection

Creative flow is a mindfulness practice. In flow, time softens, self-consciousness fades, and we reconnect with vitality.

Poet Mary Oliver writes:

"Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it."

'Fresh from the therapy room' tool: Notice one small creative act each day - whether doodling, baking, or walking. Observe how it makes you feel present.

Reflective prompt:

What part of yourself comes alive when you create, even in small ways?

Creativity is an act of resistance

To create in a world that values control, efficiency, and output is radical. Creative acts reclaim autonomy and voice, letting us reimagine our stories.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reminds us:

"Stories matter. Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower."

Reflective prompt:

What stories do you want to tell, reimagine, or rewrite about your own life?

We’re not really taught how to stay with the process

Creativity requires patience, uncertainty, and tolerance of discomfort. Like therapy, the process matters more than the outcome.

'Fresh from the therapy room' tool: Notice the stages: inspiration, doubt, frustration, flow, fatigue, renewal. Staying present through the discomfort is a creative practice in itself.

Reflective prompt:

Can you stay with something messy today - a thought, a feeling, a creative act - and notice what emerges?

Closing Reflection

Creativity isn’t a luxury. It’s a form of care, expression, and connection. Every act of creativity, no matter how small, is a dialogue with your inner world and the outer one.

My invitation to you:

This week, try 10 minutes of creativity, with no agenda, and no outcome. Let yourself play, experiment, and notice what it feels like to be fully alive.

"You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." - Maya Angelou