Finding Your Creative Identity

In this world of social media, it’s easy to begin to lose your creative edge because you’re constantly consuming artistic inspiration from others.

Within the sea of creative expression, you may begin to struggle with your own creativity by comparing your work to others or even worse begin to adopt certain techniques, styles or designs as your own.

How do you separate yourself from the endless stream of creative images? How do you stand out of the crowded space of the internet? How do you find your authentic voice when everybody is screaming at the same volume to be seen?

I find it helpful to step back and tune out of the chaos. Turn off your phone, laptop or tablet. Step into nature. Visit a park or museum. Socialize with friends. Spend time alone. Listen to music. Read a good book. 

These simple pleasures will balance your life as well as enhance your creative identity. You will be inspired to create or invent new things. You will discover or explore new strategies and methods of doing things as well as scheduling time to do the things you enjoy.

Some of my best creations were formed incidentally but it’s also great to create with intention and vision. When you see something in your imagination and follow through to manifest what you envision, it stimulates excitement and a sense of accomplishment.

When you can take a blank canvas and transform it into a tangible painting or drawing, it is awe-inspiring. It somehow feels magical.

However, the most exceptional or innovative minds are often misunderstood, devalued, rejected or even abused by others due to their lack of understanding of the creator’s concept, idea or vision. If it has never been done before, the masses will most likely reject it.

It’s also a process to develop a new-found idea. You may spend weeks, months or years tweaking and perfecting a passion project, product or design. You must not overthink the process. Get out of your own head but be willing to critique your work fairly and not judgmentally. There are enough critical thinkers that will definitely do that for you when you release your creative contribution to the world.

Deep down inside, in your creative soul, there is beauty. Once you dig deep inside to connect with it instead of looking outside of yourself and embracing the world around you, you will find your true creative identity. You were born with it.

If society has striped you from your authentic self, try to remember what you enjoyed doing at 5 years old. Your identity is not tied to being a carbon copy of someone else. 

Your creative soul should not fear opportunities of stepping out of your comfort zones and expressing who you truly are. You should enjoy the process and the journey.

Once you connect with your creative identity, you will soar to higher altitudes to produce and lead with authority, confidence and self-acceptance.

Be bold. Be courageous. Get creative. Be you.