Creativity Is About Exploring by Sasha R. Barnes

As a young child, I found myself passionate about a variety of topics – it never was just one. It was makeup, films, pets, healing, fashion, writing, painting, biology, history, dance, anthropology, you name it, I would find myself inspired by it. 

I always admired people who found that ONE topic they felt absolutely inspired by that led to a life-long focus. Like a scientist trying to find a cure for something, for instance. What I realized is, that lifelong thing for me is a sort of spiritual quest through the art of life, the art of self-expression, and creativity. I’m deeply inspired by life, and creativity is in everything, so naturally, I find myself attracted like a magnetic force to different forms. There is this inner calling that gets louder and louder, always trying to lead me on specific creative paths, and in recent years I have been following those calls. This desire to try and experience different forms of creativity has also led me on the path to courage, curiosity, humility, and self-awareness. 

Courage, for example, is not some special genetic gift given only to a chosen few, we all have it within ourselves. But like a muscle, the more we practice courage, the easier it gets, especially when you are struggling with it. Instead of beating yourself up or aborting your personal creative mission, I personally found that it usually means there’s a place within myself in need of self-love, self-evaluation, and light. Therefore, it is through pushing out of our comfort zone that we gain courage. That process isn’t always easy but each time you do it, it gives you more personal insight, wisdom, and trust in yourself to keep at your creative goals.

Another thing I realized is, each experience with a creative project has been different. Like a cat with nine lives, I find myself playing different characters and roles, with different experience levels and capabilities, learning so much about myself and the different facets within me. I have also learned so much about the magic of community and interdependence, where working with others is very much like a musical composition that has the capability of creating a beautiful cohesive melody. We mirror each other and what I see in you is usually a reflection of something I view within myself.

Creativity is about exploration and self-expression, of the world you feel and see within and outside of yourself, and the mysteries of life you wish to dig into a little deeper. Therefore it’s self-expression through our own individuality and perceptions, and in my opinion a way to get to know ourselves and humanity a little bit better. It is a cathartic process that is my own personal church and connection to the source.

If there is any advice I could give anyone it would be, please self-express and be the creative magical individual you are meant to be, the future of this world depends on us shining bright. That light we shine onto the world is our authentic selves.

So make sure to set the daily intention to practice authenticity. 

Don’t give up! Learn resourcefulness as early as possible! Creativity, like anything else, can be accompanied by adversity. But, when we learn to create strong foundations within ourselves, the easier it becomes for us to be creative without feeling the pressures of everyday life (whether those pressures be emotional, financial, or social).

Don’t allow anyone to pigeonhole you, we are complicated magical beings with depths beyond sometimes our own consciousness. Remember you are as expansive as the ocean.

And the last thing I wanted to say is, trust and have faith, even if it’s only a small glimmer, it will never lead you astray for too long. Even in those small glimmering moments, there is so much wisdom to be found, accept it all, and see what can be learned from the good, the bad, the fun, and the ugly. 

See what fun and cool adventures your creativity can take you on.

About Sasha: Sasha grew up in between the Andes of Peru and Sunny California. After college, she lived in multiple countries in Europe that greatly influenced her artistic endeavors. She graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a degree in Global Studies as well as graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising with a degree in Fashion and Product Development. An avid explorer and creator in multiple fields, writing has always been a passion she has wanted to implement in congruence with her own life experiences and interests.