Cultivating Creativity: A conversation about activating your creative superpower & channelling your inner child

Sienna Chu, MHC

We are inherently creative beings - I am, you are, and everyone around us is. It’s part of our genetic makeup. Even the most type-A, analytical, and intellectual of us are creative. If you’ve spent much time around children, you can see what I mean. Children can’t help but “make believe” or create new realities and meaning through the use of imagination. When I am with my nieces and nephews, not only do I get to be an auntie, but I am a monster chasing them around the living room, a racecar driver, a queen at a tea party, or a customer ordering playdough pizza -  I am whatever we create. And in those moments, it’s real. Together we co-create an experience that is uniquely ours, made up of two (or 5) imaginations colliding together. 

Our imagination is one of our most powerful tools. It’s what gives us fantasies to help us spark excitement in our most mundane moments. It’s the vision we have for our future. It’s the hope we hold for each other and the state of our world. And it often isn’t valued. 

“Get your head out of the clouds.”

“Back to reality.”

“You’re in lala land” 

“How realistic is that?”

“Where’s your proof?”

“In the Real World...”

“Grow up”

“That won’t pay the bills.”

Any of these sound familiar? I know my inner critic can echo these sentiments, and I’ve heard them spoken countless times by my clients’ inner critics. Growing up, I remember the journey home from family vacations always including my mother’s words, “well, vacation’s over girls, and tomorrow it’s back to reality.” Though this was never meant to be harmful, as I sit with those words now, I am aware of the feeling they take on in my body… like a long sigh where my shoulders and stomach drop in anticipation of my coming exhaustion. It’s almost the opposite feeling in my body when I am inspired, playful, and in my creative expression. 

Fear holds us back from accessing our most natural state where we are open and inspired. I’ve often shared with my clients that I see therapy as the journey back to who we were born as, before life got to us. The responsibilities and fears we face today can feel neverending. Of course we all have basic needs that must be met before we can access our higher selves, but I’ve found many people struggle with knowing when their needs are being met. The bar keeps raising and raising and before you know it, we never “arrive” and continue to push down the “things I want to do when I have more time.” Those are often the things that bring us vitality.

In addition to fear, our narrow definitions of creativity seem to also hold many of us back. “I’m not the artsy type” is another line I hear often and it’s saddening to hear. It reflects the black and white nature of our society, and the idea that there are creatives and non-creatives, and the ways we automatically exclude ourselves from an identity that is our birthright. The world needs your creativity. You need your creativity. It isn’t the product or outcome that matters, but the energy we tap into when we allow ourselves to imagine, play, and create. 

Neuroscience has given us scientific language to back this notion. One of our most special human brain capabilities is neuroplasticity-- the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or experience or following injury (Oxford Dictionary, 2021). This is what allows old dogs to learn old tricks, trauma survivors to rewire their nervous system, and insecurely attached adults to become securely attached. Essentially, it’s our brain’s flexibility and creativity. And it’s also our superpower!


So, in my growing love for human creativity, I embarked on a little research project. I reached out to three of my close friends who I see as highly creative and asked them a few questions. I want to share their responses with you in hopes that it can resonate and translate into a creative journey of your own. These are the honest and thoughtful words from a painter (Kaarina M.), a poet (Lydia G.), and a photographer (Alycia K.).

How do you define creativity? 

Kaarina - This is a hard word to define, but when I think about it my first instinct is to define it by a state of mind, rather than a tangible skill or something to achieve. Therefore anyone can be creative, it just depends on their willingness to let go, and be imaginative.

Alycia - I think of creativity as a both a practice and a state of mind. It’s the consistent cultivation of your own unique worldview and perceptions alongside whatever medium you express them through. 

If creativity were a recipe, what would your ingredients be?

Lydia - Courage, curious about contradictions, vulnerability, wonder, curiosity in general, a need to communicate or express, awareness of their own senses and stir it all in with some rebellion. 

Alycia- The staples are curiosity, imagination, vulnerability and discipline. The spices are bravery, playfulness and joy. 

What are your biggest barriers to accessing your creative self or taking the leap into creative action?

Kaarina - Self-motivation... You definitely have to learn to be your own biggest fan (self-love and confidence) because otherwise you will become your own biggest obstacle. Believing in yourself and ability to take creative action is vital. 

Lydia - Instant gratification distractions. Wanting to hide from myself and the world. Burnout. Shame. Lack of alone time or time in nature.

Alycia- Self-doubt! We’re all afraid of how our work will be perceived, and how that will reflect back on us as individuals. For me personally overthinking can also be a barrier...I get in my head about all the small details when I should be out in my body just doing it. 

What helps you access your creativity/ creative self?

Lydia - Listening to someone’s stories, a community’s story, or sitting with my own and listening for new perspectives. Moving my body - stretch, dance, jump, etc. Go be around water. Meditation. Laughter. Music. Often to get started, I’ll give myself 3 minutes to scribble words and sentences down, not worrying about if someone will see it or if it makes sense or not. The only rule is that I have to be vulnerably honest about what I am saying or the words I am choosing for the next 3 min. 

Alycia- Time alone in nature. Reading a book or watching a movie about someone else’s experience that makes me reflect back on my own unique perspective. Movement - dance, swimming, walking, stretching. Long talks with friends. A studio space dedicated to my craft, and enough solitude to work out my ideas comfortably. Going to museums and galleries. Sharing work with other creatives and hearing about their processes. 

What helps you overcome perfectionistic thinking?

Kaarina - I always wished that I was more of a perfectionist. I am a Type B creative, and always looked up to artists who are Type A….Knowing that I have to create a lot of “crap” in order to get to what I want is also very important, it’s hard to create a beautiful thing right off the bat. I am still learning that it’s not about the end product most of the time, it’s about what you obtain in the process of trying to get what you want. Sometimes it ends up better than what you imagined. 

Lydia - Remembering perfection is not achievable by everyone’s definition at the same time. 

For myself I’ve noticed that “perfection” is often more about my image I’m trying to preserve rather than being committed to improving my skill of expression. I also try and remember that vulnerability is rarely “perfection” as we define it. Most likely what I am trying to hide about myself is exactly what I need to express. 

What helps you manage your own inner critic as well as the criticism of others?

Kaarina - Just knowing that my inner critic will always scream louder than the critic of others. And if I am not criticizing myself too hard or too loud.. then that must mean others are not either. This helps. As an artist, I think it is also a given part of life that people will criticize and have opinions about your art or lifestyle. I have learned to always ask for constructive criticism, because the honest opinion of others is critical to push your own art forward. Having a Chinese Mother also helps to ease the sting of receiving honest criticism from others. If you don’t have a Chinese Mother, then this must be very difficult and I can see why people would get very defensive about their art (this is kind of a joke, but also not.)

Lydia - Discerning the difference between helpful & harmful criticism helps. Even within myself.  If someone is criticizing my worth as a human being, that is about them & nothing to do with my skill. I try & discard that as quickly as possible. If it’s about something I’ve created, I try and welcome it as they may be right! I’ve had to learn so many times that what I do greatly improves in the context of community and the skills others bring. Most often that has come through honest feedback and expecting me to give them the same. It’s nothing to be afraid of but rather welcome. 

Alycia- I try to cultivate my child mind in all of my creative practices. Children have this amazing resiliency and innate creativity, as well as a huge capacity to learn. When I put myself in this mind the sting of criticism is brief and then I can move on and incorporate what I’ve learned into my next image. It’s also important to be realistic and realize that in the creative world most things are subjective - if you remember that when you or others are critiquing your work, it relativizes it all. In the end, none of this is life or death. 

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to express themselves creatively but doesn't believe they are capable or doesn't know where to start? 

Kaarina - ...I would say start small on something that brings you joy, something that you always wanted to do, or getting better at something you are bad at.

A good example of this would be my brother, who does not really do anything “creative” on a daily basis because he is in school and always playing video games (he could argue this is creative in his own way, but it’s in no way challenging or pushing his imagination…). He never had an interest in cooking. He didn’t think he could do it, and people are always cooking for him or he has easy access to ordering food. All of a sudden he finds himself at home alone one day, feeling homesick for Chinese food. He opens up a Chinese cookbook and starts making Gong Bao Ji Ding, a very difficult first dish to make if you have never cooked before. But he now has a goal. He has an idea of what he wants, he doesn’t know if he can get there, it will probably turn out burnt but that’s besides the point. Cooking is not inherently creative, but the act of cooking, the act of making something for enjoyment, even more so the satisfaction you get from achieving (eating) those results is enough to make you want to do it again. He likes to cook now, because he realized he can satisfy his own appetite. That can be said about doing anything creative.

Lydia - The first thing I would say is to take the pressure off of being “excellent” or “perfect” (whatever secret word we are aiming for) Don't compare yourself with others. Commit to not judging it or assigning it the value of your entire worth as to how it turns out. It’s okay to invest in the time to learn, improve and still love the items made or expressed in the process. They are part of your story. We don’t consider children failures for learning to walk and how it can appear while they are learning. Same for all of us. Nurturing and caring for yourself includes your creativity. Be kind and curious as you learn to access this part of yourself. Try different practices/mediums and see which one is your favorite and go from there. 

Alycia- First of all, you are capable. Creativity is an inherent human characteristic! Second, broaden your idea of what being creative is. Playing music, painting and writing are, of course, creative practices, but so are cooking and candle-making. You could scrapbook, collage, do fun makeup for the day, rearrange your furniture. Start with something you like to do, and see where it leads you. I would also encourage you to find a community doing what you love to do. We are social beings, and sharing your creativity (and partaking in the creativity of others) is one of the true pleasures of life. There are online and in person communities for everything from basket weaving to calligraphy, so find one that fits your vibe and then have fun! 

For folks that see themselves as highly logical or intellectual, where might you recommend they begin to access their creative self? 

Kaarina - I don’t believe creativity lies within “artists” exclusively. I think bankers can be creative, athletes, teachers, etc…We are all born naturally curious. Somehow that gets lost, forgotten or quashed along the way.  It’s important that we remind everyone we know that they can be whatever they want to be + creative too.

I think a good way to approach this would be to ask not “What do you want to do?” There are too many things to do, that’s a super intimidating question. But what brings you joy? Eating? Music? Kids? Start there. Joy is the beating heart of creativity, and should not be isolated in the personalities of children. Finding little things in your day that bring you joy is a good way to start because it opens up that state of mind that is needed to access your “creative self”. 

Lydia - There is so much intelligence and logic in art as you unfold its story. It doesn’t have to be an either/or. To access that place of imagination, I would ask yourself what stories interested you the most as a child and what about that storyline interested you or brought you a sense of wonder. What role did you play in your imagination or the movies you watched? Where does that show up for you now as an adult? When was the last time you felt a sense of wonder? What do you long for now and what is that trying to express? Even if your joy is something exact like accounting - if you couldn’t teach me your job (like you would at work) and could only express the joy of numbers to me through art, what would it look like? 

I’ve never met a person without creativity. Only those who were unaware or lost to finding its presence. 

Alycia- As a highly logical and intellectual person, I sometimes doubt my own creativity. I’m a type A, highly organized, academically-minded individual, and sometimes I worry that I don’t leave enough space for chaos, or my desk isn’t messy enough to be a true “artist.” 

But the truth is that there are lots of artists who are intellectual and logical, and that becomes a part of their process. I have come to embrace my intellectualizing and use it to develop a more cerebral underpinning to my images. My organizational systems are works of art in and of themselves. Don’t fight the gifts you’ve been given - embrace them, master them & use them!