When Do We Stop Being Creative?

I'm often told, sometimes with a bit of disdain, that I have so many irons in the fire and when will I learn to narrow it down? I receive eye rolls if I list the things I'm doing or interested in, as if people can't possibly believe that I really have time to do all of those things.

I suppose skepticism is warranted. We, as adults in America, are suspicious of a lack of focus and deem it "flakiness" or "an inability to commit". We seldom celebrate the Renaissance men and women in our lives, perhaps because we find it more comfortable to categorize than include. Perhaps it is because we have listened to our own little critic voices in our heads that tell us that we "can't do the thing" because we're just "not talented" or "not good enough." I'm not interested in what the critic has to say. I'm interested in doing the thing.

Also, I'm hardly saying that I'm at an intermediate level in every activity I like to do or very knowledgeable about every category of interest. But I'm compelled and curious to constantly expand upon my interests and try new things. You might've been there once too, when you were younger.

What is it about growing up in our society that cuts down the impulses that make each and every one of us creative people?

Perhaps it worsened with the age of social media. We are compelled to share what we produce and with that, open ourselves up to criticism. I write a lot of poetry and much of it is probably terrible.  Every time I post something online, I think, "well, everyone probably thinks this is embarrassing," but usually one or two people humor me. I don't like to give the inner critic any sort of foot hold and I believe, that by worrying about embarrassing myself, that I'm doing just that (Note Bene or N.B. but I do censor myself and edit what I have written if I am at all concerned that I have spoken incorrectly or out of turn in a way that might hurt someone else). But I've always felt compelled to make art, and I don't mind sharing it. I mostly want to get the idea out there that you don't HAVE to be a master at something to enjoy creating, and to be fearless about sharing that process. I think a lot of people make the mistake in believing that, especially at arts conservatories where creatives are indoctrinated, there is "really only one way to do a thing correctly."

I am constantly impressed by what my talented colleagues and classmates share in their creative explorations. Sometimes they are so technically skilled and "together" that I compare and feel like, why should I even keep trying? I sense that there is a sphere of approval between those who are "good at the thing" that shuns others who are "still feeling their way" around in the dark. There is an elitism that cuts down those who are struggling to understand what makes "good art".

I'm not saying we should all get together and sing kumbaya and spare criticism to avoid hurting everyone's feelings. But I am saying that elitism isn't helping our arts communities flourish. I am saying that I don't believe in innate "talent" - only a creative compulsion to do a thing and a commitment to doing it that is so strong that it eventually yields quality. I advocate that we take the mysticism out of creating, the very mysticism that blockades the less experienced or skilled of us from even attempting to pursue a craft.

Celebrate your own commitment, skill, and talent with humility. We never came all this way in a day. Perhaps we can nurture the creative spirit inherit in everyone and create a society which enjoys supporting the arts, instead of stagnating or squashing the creativity of others due the damage done by the inner critic. Be good to one another and make room for the creative spark in us all.