What is creativity?

I've talked a lot about creativity over the last year or so.  About wanting to rediscover it, to remember how it felt, to remember why it's important.  But what do we really mean by creativity?  How does that side of us develop, and does it for everyone?

In my last post I talked about the decision I'd made to go to university, and now I'm here.  In a new city, in a new house, a completely different schedule and whole new set of priorities.  Priorities largely based around creativity, my personal creativity.  From day one we've been asked to look at ourselves, explore our own thoughts, our own responses, our own feelings, because I guess at its core creativity is unique to each of us.

"Creative people" may often have similar traits, similar passions and a mutual appreciation for similar things.  Society may deem certain activities to be creative, from finger painting at a young age, to musical and artistic talent, the ability to write, to draw, to capture a moment with photography or film.  There are so many outlets for expression of creativity, but I think it's the process of creation that is probably most important.  To create something out of nothing.  Is that perhaps the real beauty of creativity regardless of the form it takes?

The other big question is how does someone become a creative thinker and where do they learn the skills to express those ideas.  Can it be learnt or is it inherited?  There's so many elements that can come into and influence a persons creative process; a desire to learn, to explore, natural talent, trust, the ability to really see, to listen, to let your mind connect the dots as it see's fit, time, space, encouragement, even often support.

On of my big observations of late has been, for me, environment, space and inspiration play a big part. From finally leaving the office and having space for new thoughts to form in my head, to sheltering from the rain on my own in a hostel on the other side of the world.  From hearing the passions of like minded people, to creating a group choreographed piece with people who were complete strangers 3 hours earlier.

I think when I talked about rediscovering my creativity it really wasn't about finding the time to learn photography, taking that extra dance class or picking up a paintbrush again, it was about creating the space in my head to let myself think, to not feel guided or conditioned down a certain chain of thought, to relax and trust myself enough to let the real me speak up, and to believe in those creative thoughts enough to let them develop.

So the current plan is to surround myself with creative influences, allow myself to experience as much as possible and let my expression of all of that grow out of nothing.  The process of creativity; the journey of exploring and expressing mine.