The Creative Way: Childlike creativity and why we lose it
When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? Was it an artist, writer, singer, or actress?
For me, it was all of those… 😉
When I was real young, performing plays for my parents and playing make believe with my friends, I was sure that I would grow up to be the next Marie Osmond, Cher, or Linda Carter (aka Wonder Woman).
As I got a bit older, I gravitated toward drawing and writing. I remember many evenings sitting at our kitchen table, sketching my favorite Peanuts and Archie comic book characters. It was something that brought me great joy, and seemed to turn hours into minutes.
I suppose I’m dating myself here, but the point is I never received the support or encouragement I needed to seriously pursue those dreams. Instead I was told to be practical. To get real because, “You can’t actually make a living doing those things.”
I also received some pretty harsh criticism from teachers and the important adults in my life, who were quick to view my creative pursuits as nothing more than fools play. I mean, “You have to have real talent to make a living in the creative arts.” #ouch
Then there were those who just didn’t get my interest in the arts, because it wasn’t as important to them personally as other pursuits like business, medicine, and blue collar work. The arts were hobbies. Unless you had ‘real talent.’
Does this sound familiar? I know for a lot of you it is painfully familiar. Because let’s face it, when our passions are trashed it hurts. Especially when it’s done by people we love and respect.
As an adult it took me awhile to figure out why I had lost my passion for the arts and why I felt silly, and even grossly irresponsible, whenever I dreamt of making a living as a multi-passionate creative. It also took a while to understand why I never fit into the traditional 9-5 business space.
It’s because I wasn’t meant to.
Unfortunately, for many creatives the biggest thing holding them back is fear. Not only fear of what others might think of their work, but a visceral fear that subconsciously warns them it’s unsafe to pursue their creative dreams because they don’t have what it takes to make it.
Because of this, too many of us have suppressed or ignored our childhood dreams and settled instead leading uninspired, unfulfilled lives. Yet, for many, the dream never really dies.
Is that you?
In this Creative Way blog series, we will explore the connection between creative living and wellness, and at the same time learn to overcome the limiting beliefs and fears that keep us stuck and inhibit the creative process.
This week it’s about childlike creativity. Why we lose it and how to explore our creative gifts with less fear.
It’s about recovering a sense of safety in pursuing the creative passions that excite us.
As I mentioned in my first blog post we’ll look at this topic through the lens of the Bible. What does God say about creativity? Are we all called to be creative?
I believe we are, for the very reason being we are created in His image. In the image of Elohim, the Creator God. If we are called to imitate God, then that means imitating His creative character, too.
So, one thing of the best things we can do to overcome our fears and live a more creative life, is to learn to be like a child again.
The Bible says that to really know God we must become like little children. What do children possess that adults generally don’t?
Faith.
Trust.
Wonder.
These three qualities are essential to living creatively and in our relationship with God.
Let’s look at each individually.
Faith: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
It takes faith to believe in a God we can’t see. It also takes faith to believe in a creative idea. When I sit down to write, it’s uncomfortable to look at that blank page, because there is no guarantee that my creative ideas will translate into something of value. Something that people will want to read. And there’s never a guarantee that the ideas will keep coming. What if I get stuck?
Having childlike faith means not overthinking things, but believing we have what it takes and that what we hope for will come to pass. It’s believing that God created us with unique creative gifts that He wants us to explore and use for His glory, and that the process of discovery is in and of itself valuable.
Trust: “Trust is a feeling that somebody or something can be relied upon, or will turn out to be good. It is the feeling of being sure about something, even if it cannot be proved.”
Have you ever noticed how quickly kids trust people? Jesus says in Matthew 18:3, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you change and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Children are naturally humble and they are authentic. They believe without complication and they receive openly with joy. We need these qualities to receive from God humbly, without question, and with gratitude. We also need these qualities to approach the creative process in a healthy manner.
We have to be ‘ok’ with less than perfect. We have to humble ourselves enough to be open to receiving feedback (so long as it’s constructive of course…and we all know the difference ;-), content in the learning process, and trusting that if we devote enough time to improving our craft, it will turn out good in the end.
Easier said than done, I know. But this childlike trust in the process will help us take necessary risks, and provide the courage we need to move forward, even when there are no guarantees. New ideas are fragile, but if we trust in the creative process, then we won’t be so quick to throw them out, but will take the time necessary to nurture them.
Wonder: Children are naturally curious.
I remember when my girls were young, they looked at the simplest things with such awe. It was as if they were seeing them for the first time. Again and again. Creativity feeds on curiosity, so we must train ourselves to see the world around us with new eyes. We must open our hearts to discover the magic that surrounds us every day. Albert Einstein said it best, “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom the emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand wrapped in awe, is as good as dead.”
And one more thing…
“To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.” Joseph Chilton Pearce
When it comes to art children aren’t naturally afraid of being wrong. It’s only after they’ve been programmed to believe they are wrong, through harsh criticism and judgement, that they start to pull back.
To live a healthy, creative life, you must protect that childlike artist inside you.
Here are three ways you can do this:
1. Identify your core negative beliefs and where they came from. Was it a teacher, parent, friend? What did they say that hurt? When was it and how did it make you feel? Then reframe those negative beliefs into positive affirmations that will help you recover a sense of safety and hope. Here’s a journal that will walk you step-by-step through this process: Daily Mindset Journal
2. Take your dreams seriously. Trust that those dreams of yours will get you to the next right step. Whether it’s fiction writing, painting, or songwriting that interests you, gather the tools you need and schedule in at least a half hour each day to explore it, and have fun with it. Here’s a link to a site that will help. And remember: take your dreams seriously, yes, but don’t be so serious about judging your work. At least not at first. Allow yourself this time to be an absolute beginner and let yourself play and explore. Remember it’s about progress not perfection. Have faith that as you step out to pursue your creative gifts, God will develop it and use it for good.
3. Recover that childlike sense of wonder. As you make time for your creative pursuits, be steadfast in rediscovering a sense of wonder. There are so many amazing things in this world, friend. Get out into nature regularly. Take a brisk 20 minute walk and observe what’s around you. Sit quietly and listen for God’s still small voice. Keep a notebook handy to record the things you hear, see, smell, and touch that interest you or just bring you pleasure. Here’s a link to some beautiful moleskin journals that can be your go-to ‘wonder’ tool.
As you start this creative journey, it’s important to remember that when you feel safe to chase your dreams, there is something powerful that will happen in your mind, body, and spirit that is very good. So, don’t give up on your dreams. Do the work. Practice and explore. Have fun. It’s good for your health and it’ll get you to the next right step in your creative journey.
