Embrace Your Weird: Face Your Fears and Unleash Creativity

We all have a creative identity, but unveiling it can be a challenging endeavor. That's because when we venture into unexplored territories or attempt something new, feelings of embarrassment and discomfort tend to creep in. These emotions often act as roadblocks, preventing us from taking risks and fully unleashing our creative potential.

To overcome these barriers, there are a couple of strategies we need to employ. Firstly, we need to adopt a mindset of working swiftly without being overly critical of ourselves. This will allow the free flow of ideas, which nurtures creativity.

Secondly, it's important to find ways to make the process enjoyable. When we approach our creative endeavors with a sense of playfulness and pleasure, we're more likely to embrace experimentation and take the necessary risks.

Lastly, bravery plays a significant role. We must be willing to push past the initial discomfort and learn to take risks. It may feel wrong or embarrassing at times, but it's through these leaps of faith that we often stumble upon our most innovative and fulfilling creative expressions.

Self-awareness is essential for creativity. When we were kids, we often just went along with the labels and expectations people put on us without really questioning if they fit who we truly are. But if we truly want to become creators, we must embark on a journey of self-discovery, unraveling the depths of our own identity.

Remember when we were little and creativity came naturally? We'd happily make stuff without worrying or second-guessing ourselves. Well, we can tap into that by looking back at our past and exploring who we are now. We must also learn to be brave and treat ourselves as a research project, meticulously examining the hows and whys behind our actions and choices.

Creativity is a journey filled with hurdles, both from within ourselves and from the outside world. Creating something meaningful is never a walk in the park, and we'll certainly encounter resistance along the way.

In Sun Tzu's "Art of War," he wisely advises us to be aware of and prepared for these obstacles. It's important not to give up on understanding ourselves and our creative aspirations.

One effective way to overcome these challenges is by taking control of small aspects of our lives. By asserting control in even the little things, we can develop the reflex to take charge in other areas where we may feel creatively stuck.

There are three common enemies of creativity: procrastination, perfectionism, and the fear of failure. To unleash our creativity, we need to recognize and conquer these beasts.

Having role models and mentors can be beneficial when it comes to reaching your creative goals. Just having someone to look up to, even if you've never met them, can be a great source of motivation and inspiration.

It's also important to have a support group of people who are genuinely interested in what you have to say and who always want to see more from you. They can keep you motivated and inspired throughout your creative journey.

Meeting people in person is a fantastic way to find like-minded individuals who share your creative passions. But if that's not possible, you can always look for online communities where people gather around similar interests. It's a great way to connect with others, exchange ideas, and find inspiration from people all over the world who understand and appreciate your creative pursuits.

To enhance creativity, it is beneficial to infuse elements of gameplay into our daily lives, which involves embracing limitations and working within defined boundaries. By restricting our choices and operating within constraints, we stimulate our problem-solving skills and foster innovative thinking. Such conditions compel our minds to seek imaginative solutions and explore unconventional approaches, thereby nurturing our ability to generate novel ideas.