From Questions I’m Frequently Asked: Unconventional Ways to Channel Your Creativity

 

“I have no idea how I’m going to pull this off” 

were my exact thoughts as I looked at the large poster board, paper, and popsicle sticks in front of me. Senior Sunrise was my first event as class president and the pressure was definitely on. This event was a symbolic gesture that took place before the beginning of the academic year signifying our first time together as a senior class. My failure would be experienced by over 500 members of the senior class, while success would ensure a fun time, starting the year off with good vibes. This was my chance to prove I was cut out for the job, being admired instead of looked down upon in the halls. 

 

When the question arose about who would be responsible for managing photo ops at this event, I volunteered myself without missing a beat. “It can’t be that hard, right?” In a single afternoon, I was able to transform these seemingly ordinary materials into a professional-looking photo frame. Even though I had no idea where to start, I trusted my creative instincts and it worked out in the end.

 

When I successfully take on projects like this one, people often ask me the question:

 

“Where does this creativity even come from?!” 

 

I wish there was a simple answer, but creative confidence hardly ever comes so easy. With this in mind, I’ve taken it upon myself to try to include an element of creativity anytime I get the chance to.

In my kindergarten years, I distinctly remember my fascination with all sorts of colors. When drawing portraits of ourselves, I got bored of the basic skin and hair colors, so I added a little something special to my drawing. My grand “creative” idea as a five-year-old was to quite literally color outside the line, outlining my poorly-drawn portrait in pink to make it “stand out”. As silly as it may seem now, that was an early example of channeling creativity (even if it wasn’t really THAT creative).

Growing older, I became the kid everyone rolled their eyes at because of my excessive use of color in my papers. When I started playing viola for my middle school orchestra, it was second nature to color code my music. Any musician will tell how unnecessary (and bad) of an idea that is. Nevertheless, it was these small tendencies that continued to inspire me to put a new spin on things (even if it meant being laughed at by my viola section).

All these past experiences contributed to a foundation for something bigger and better. Of course, creativity doesn’t imply the literal process of making projects. It’s deciding on how to go about things, too. My all-time favorite collaborative project I’ve taken on was the Kindness

Society. This was a club founded by myself and some friends dedicated to putting together events in an effort to give back and improve morale around our school. One of our most notable projects we accomplished was putting together handmade flower crowns for our annual “Spring Fling” (essentially a giant fair for students during lunch) fundraising event. Creativity isn’t a road taken alone, as you learn from those around you. It’s up to you to take hold of these opportunities and adapt that creative mindset learning ideas and techniques from others. I could never have done all this on my own.

 

Reflecting on my journey through the years, it’s clear creativity plays a pivotal role in shaping the person I am today. 

 

Here, I share unconventional pieces of advice that have not only worked in my own life but might also serve as inspiration for fostering creativity in your own journey:

 

1. Don’t be afraid to bite off more than you can chew. Taking on big projects will give you confidence for smaller tasks. My junior year, I threw myself into technical theatre, joining the crew in two productions. My responsibility was to come

up with lighting effects for these shows. Through countless after school rehearsals, I learned what worked and what wasn’t acceptable for onstage productions (note: never use entirely green lights on stage; it apparently makes the audience queasy). This experience enhanced my sense of aesthetics and boosted my confidence to tackle bigger projects.

Let me be clear; I’m far from being an “expert” at any of these endeavors. The main difference between your current and future creative self is the willingness to step out of your comfort zone and take action. Embracing challenges gives you the courage to take on “big leaps” in the future!

 

2. Be arrogant. So much creative power comes from just believing in yourself. My freshman year of high school, I joined softball with no previous experience. However, I carried myself with the attitude that I was a seasoned player who had just become a bit rusty. To my surprise, they let me on the team.

Determined to catch up to the abilities of my teammates, I sought out ways to improve my skills; spending time at the gym, buying a couple softballs to practice at home, etc. Through this experience I learned that it’s not such a bad idea to throw yourself into it first and fine tune the important parts later. You will find that you can do a lot more than you think you can with just a little practice and some major confidence. 

 

3. Don’t stick to your strong suits. Going outside your comfort zone is the only way you’ll be able to learn new tips and tricks. During a group project in my entrepreneurship class, we were given the challenge of creating value from a box of paperclips within a tight 7-day deadline. When discussing this with my group, I offered to take on the task of creating keychains out of paperclips. 

 

Armed with nothing but a box of paperclips and wire, I went through countless trial and error (and a few callused fingers) to determine what would work. Even though I had never done anything like this before, I refused to let the fear of failure hold me back. I trusted that, with determination and a backup plan in mind, it would eventually come together. While the keychains were far from perfect, they were usable and contributed to our successful presentation in the end. By pushing my boundaries, I was able to try out this new technique and learned how to create something new out of nothing. You never know what you’re capable of until you try!

 

4. Brag about your projects. By telling others, whether it be friends or family, about the projects or ideas you take on, you are creating a system of accountability for yourself. Make it real by saying it. As I entered college, I had always wanted to decorate my dorm room but lacked the motivation to create an idea board or purchase the necessary items.

To kickstart my motivation, I began telling my friends about my desire to have an aesthetic dorm room. Naturally, they would ask questions about my plans like, “What’s your vision?” or “What theme are you going for?”. Initially, I didn’t have clear answers, but this prompted me to start thinking and collecting decor items from around my house to bring with me to my second home. Before I knew it, I had transformed my dorm room into the space I envisioned. Sharing my goal with others forced me to prioritize it and keep it at the forefront of my mind, ultimately helping me turn this dream into a reality. Bringing ideas to life can be hard, so it never hurts to give yourself that extra motivational push.

 

5. Encourage others to be better than you. When you push others out of their comfort zone, you encourage them to compromise and be more creative! For instance, the classic birthday gathering in my family consists of hanging out with cake. However, I decided to “go big or go home” and spent days planning the

event and crafting decorations. My enthusiasm for this ambitious approach to party planning spurred everyone involved to contribute their ideas and efforts. My extended family brought decorations, put together a fancy cake, and even helped with gift shopping.

Enthusiasm is contagious. When you show genuine passion and excitement for a project, it not only elevates your own experience but also inspires others to embrace the challenge with enthusiasm and creativity, too.

 

Creativity is not quantifiable. There’s no exact way to measure it, so only you determine the bounds of your creativity. It’s a powerful force that has shaped my journey and enriched my life. I’ve learned that pushing boundaries, embracing challenges, and sharing ideas are essential ways to nurture creativity in yourself and inspire it in others. So, embrace your inner creativity: imagine confidence, take risks, and watch your creativity grow beyond your dreams.