Facts and myths about creativity

It turns out no more than any other requirement, headed by the aforementioned foreign languages precisely. The individual predisposition to learn a language is one thing, and the regular acquisition of rules and vocabulary is a separate issue. As a result, a diligent and ambitious person can surpass the one who has a “natural gift” of linguistics. The same will be the case with creativity, although here the conviction that it is simply talent still repents.

Yes, we will find people to whom this type of thinking comes with greater freedom — they quickly find unconventional solutions, see opportunities where others would only see obstacles or propose an innovative approach to the problem. However, two harmful myths need to be debunked. First - such people do not have any monopoly on creativity, it is available to everyone. Secondly, creativity does not have to be associated exclusively with art and is not limited to, however broadly understood, the circle of artists.

Creative can be an engineer with a “typically strict mind”, one can approach daily household chores creatively, one can teach creatively, play sports and even catalog data. It is hardly surprising that so many employers require this skill. However, if we understand that creativity can be practiced, that it is not an egalitarian gift of mother nature, then perhaps it will be easier for us to develop in this direction.

The role of the brain in the process of creation

Well, one can say that after all, it is the structure of the brain that determines whether such a development will be possible at all. After all, it was explained to us for a very long time that logical thinking is responsible for the left hemisphere, while the right one provides us with artistic talents and creativity. It has been taught that this asymmetry is related very closely to the dominance of the right or left hand (according to this theory, left-handed people were supposed to be more creative “from birth”).

Many years of experimentation and research later, however, we know that reality is much more complicated. All because the creative process itself is also extremely complex. We involve in it, each time in a different intensity, our memory, imagination, but also emotions or motivation. As a result, many areas of the brain, located in both hemispheres, are activated in parallel.

Today, it is rather said that in extremely creative people, it is the connections between the hemispheres that are more developed, so that the creative process proceeds without interruption. However, let's remember that the brain can be stimulated in different ways, constantly supporting its development. It's the same with creativity — we can and should influence it too.

The impact of activity on creativity

So we know that different parts of the brain and the efficiency of the whole organ are responsible for creative thinking. So it's no wonder that exercising creativity is de facto affecting the brain, in a variety of ways. Sometimes even quite surprising, because although we are used to planting both students and mental workers behind desks, creativity is closely related to movement. There are several reasons.

First of all, movement oxygenates the brain, and creative processes involve many of its areas very intensively. Secondly - activity reduces the activity of the prefrontal cortex for a while, which allows the brain to let go of schematic, rational thinking for a while and to shift forces to areas of creativity. Moreover, movement engages different senses and this also promotes creativity. For the same reason, it is useful, for example, to say new ideas out loud or write them down by hand on a piece of paper or present them in the form of graphics. Such sensory stimulation has an excellent effect on creativity.

So it is safe to assume that if we are sitting over a blank sheet of paper and nothing comes to mind, then the problem may not lie in us, but... in the seat itself.

Movement plays another important role - it allows the mind to rest and thoughts to “flow away”. A tired and punctured brain will not work creatively. Meanwhile, the relaxation provided by a healthy dose of exercise will work for him perfectly.

Science as a way to creativity

While writing his flagship novel “Lolita”, Nabokov was still exploring the nuances of the English language. Learning new idioms, discovering a grammar foreign to him, he became, as he himself admitted, more creative as a writer. Not surprisingly, mastering new skills is the perfect breeding ground for the brain. It is no coincidence that it is children who are famous for their creative, unconventional thinking. Their brains are constantly stimulated by exploring the world on a daily basis. In addition, he uses creativity to fill in the gaps in ignorance. The same is true for adults. Neurologists at Drexel University in Philadelphia studied experienced and novice musicians in the process of improvisation. These experienced people used the parts of the brain responsible for more logical thinking, even when creating, they did it on the basis of experience. Beginners used completely different areas of the brain, replacing the experience with a more innovative approach. What does this mean for us? That it is worth not only to undertake learning, but also to creatively use the acquired knowledge. When we are already experts, we stimulate different areas of the brain, responsible for creativity.

Creative mind, that is, open mind

Learning new things does not necessarily mean acquiring specific skills. It is also an openness to new ideas, stories or points of view. Communicating with art or talking to another person can inspire us to be creative. Analogously — Thought conservatism, closing in on the opinion of the other side and entrenching in one's views are the archenemies of both creativity and the development of our mind in general. It is no coincidence that creative thinking is called unconventional. The more often we go beyond the template, the daily routine, the more we train creativity. Even if the breaking of the template will be to go to work a different way than usual or change the arrangement of furniture in the apartment.

Creativity as an art of letting go

Sometimes the best way to practice creativity may be... letting go. Doomed to constant self-development, we fall into the trap of perfectionism. Constant self-criticism is mixed with shame - if only because of insufficient, in our opinion, creativity. Meanwhile, an experiment by a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, conducted on musicians, showed that creativity is also the art of letting go. The brain center responsible for self-criticism, self-control and shame was practically turned off when musicians fully indulged in improvisation. Instead, the parts of the brain responsible for self-expression were triggered.

So instead of wondering if we are creative enough, let's be more understanding of ourselves. The magic will work by itself (with a little help from brain chemistry).

Bibliography:

1. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0001679
2. https://www.o2.pl/artykul/kreatywna-i-logiczna-polkula-mozgu-to-mit-sprawa-jest-duzo-bardziej-zlozona-6498310241216641a