What does the word ‘creativity’ mean to you?

What does the word ‘creativity’ mean to you?

Recently I’ve been asking this question - to my clients, to my followers over at @eleanor.chaney.artist, and of course to myself.

I use the word ‘creativity’ constantly - I’ve never counted but I imagine it’s often in the dozens of times each day.

I describe myself as ‘a creative’ and I’m now offering ‘creative coaching’.

Those five syllables contain and represent so much.

They make us imagine
fingers covered with paint,
words and music that move us and others,
images appearing as if by magic in a dark room.

It’s something unique for each of us, but simultaneously something we understand collectively.

We carry shared concepts held within the word - freedom, exploration, self-expression, joy, wonder, imagination, fulfillment, ambition, openness to new experiences, making something original, unique, meaningful or moving.

It’s a word that is beautiful, inspiring and exciting. And it’s a word that can be loaded and intimidating, heavy with the weight of expectation.

I’ve spent most of my life navigating this complex, nuanced, exciting, difficult, magical word as I have tried to become its meanings and live it.

There’s a lot to unravel, and I know, even before I begin, it will never be complete. How wonderful is that?!

As I start to dig deeper into my own understanding of what creativity means to me, there is always space for your thoughts and feelings too.

So - what does the word ‘creativity’ mean to you?