By Ann Weaver.
If any of you are like me, you rarely think of yourself as a creative person.
As a person who enjoys writing, I’m not often called creative. Instead, I would probably be called interesting, well-read, or bookish. In my experience, that word seems to be mostly used when referring to artistic pursuits, such as painting, drawing, or sewing.
On the other hand, my younger sister could definitely be described as creative. She loves painting, drawing, and other artistic pursuits. Instead, I’d rather be reading, writing, and baking.
When one hears the word “creativity”, the first thought that often comes to mind is some kind of womanly pastime. A craft, a decoration, or another idea. A man can be creative, but the word is rarely used in relation to a man. Thus, in much of society, girls are expected to have an “artsy” side.
In Christian society, this push towards artistic pursuits is stronger. Christian families often want their daughters to be more feminine. Thus, before a girl even enters school, she is often pushed to participate in activities such as crafting, decoration, or dancing.
While girls loving these things is not at all bad, it’s easy to feel pressured if we don’t have those interests. As a result, many of us can beat ourselves down for not having those interests or gifts. Some girls may try to take part, and others will feel left out because of lack of abilities in these circles. We may feel inadequate, boring, or even lacking in femininity. Many of us may feel as if we were never given that fun and special gift everyone calls “creativity.”
But that isn’t true.
When it comes down to it, creativity is coming up with original ideas. Though it’s often associated with art, that’s not what it officially is. For example, I put together an activity kit for my sister every year, which is a cross between an escape room and a treasure hunt. I know of no one else who does anything like it, and it’s certainly not art. But it is creative!
Creativity is originality. It can be inventing a new world for a story, planning the places you’re going to plant things in a garden, or organizing a pantry. It can be improvising while cooking, training a pet to do a fun new trick, or posting random things on a new blog.
My whole point? Don’t feel as if you’re not fun or creative if you don’t do what most girls do artistically. Don’t force yourself to draw if you don’t enjoy it, or learn to dance because your friends are. We are all different, and we all enjoy individual things.
Never forget that creativity, enjoyment, and expressing yourself are so much more than artistic pursuits. You are not weird if you don’t like the things usually associated with the trait. God made you how you are for His glory, and you’re still an original, wonderful person!
*the work of the crosstiching itself is not ours, only the photo of it is. :)
Post a Comment