Creative people have been described as childlike, impulsive, fantasy-oriented, emotionally sensitive, anxious and ambitious. While this is certainly not the case for everyone, many of us can relate to the classic stereotype of the creative personality. We are all familiar with the idea that artists, poets and novelists live in a world of imagination and that musicians and dancers are prone to emotional outbursts.
But the truth is that the creative person is no more or less than any other person. They just do things differently, which is why it can be frustrating for them when they are not able to fit into the “normal” mold. Unfortunately, this often leads to a sense of emptiness and unfulfillment, even if they meet most or all of life’s needs: They have healthy friendships, a supportive family, a good education, an occupation that gives them stability and something productive to do with their time, and so on.
If they continue to feel this way, they must find a new domain in which to channel their creativity. This is why so many creatives pursue their passions. When we follow our passions, we are working in a domain in which we can be fully ourselves, and in doing so we can contribute to the world in a meaningful way.
Oftentimes, however, we are told to “get a real job” instead of following our passions. This means that we must learn to balance the need for a secure income with the need to work on our passions. This is a difficult task, as creative people often value independence and are not prone to compromise. But it is possible to strike a balance between autonomy and collaboration, and this is where creatives often thrive.
It’s also true that creative people are often both playful and serious. They enjoy experimenting with ideas, but they are not afraid to take their work seriously and can often be very rigorous in their research.
Perhaps most of all, creative people are incredibly resilient. They are willing to go out on a limb, knowing that they may fail. This is an essential trait for anyone who wants to achieve success, but it’s especially important for creatives, who have a tendency to fail repeatedly before finding something that sticks.
They often feel the need to question everything in their lives, from social norms to their own assumptions. This is an important part of the creative process, as it allows them to see the world in a different light and to challenge the status quo.
For many creatives, this need to question is what drives them. They want to know not just how the world works, but why it is that way and what can be done to improve it. Those who choose to live according to this logic are often the ones who drive change and innovation forward. They are the ones who make progress and transform the world for the better.