But what if you're NOT creative?

[@amandaavery5204]

I love when Cathy gives us a pep talk we didn't know we needed. 🤩

[@coffeesquirrel1]

IKR!!!!! 🤓 I always feel like this and I really needed that even though I didn’t realize it!!!

[@emoryrubyg9631]

This! I had no idea I needed this pep talk until now. 😁

[@Tinkerbell31326]

You took the words right out of my heart!

[@Maanuska]

I'm so happy this is acknowledged. I'm good at colouring inside the lines, but not at drawing the picture. And it's even better if there's numbers telling me which colour to use. But I enjoy it. And that is good enough, I'm becoming to accept.

[@mamasinthegarden7068]

'I enjoy it,and that is good enough.' Yes. 100 %. YES

[@samit2658]

One of my creative as a kid was to draw. I don't do much now but when I feel like getting my pencils out. I like colouring too :-)

[@luciasoosova2182]

@Shayne Punim Well, I've been clumsy with drawing and couldn't wrap my head around it. So colouring is a great substitute for me.

[@KyleJMitchell]

@Shayne Punim If you're referring to the strike-through starting at your second point, that's not something that some moderator did but rather is caused by your formatting. If you edit your comment to add spaces before *and* after any dashes (specifically, before the phrase "When children" and after the phrase "Take a chance"), then it should stop KZbin from styling that string with a strike-through line. Hopefully that will fix it, but KZbin's markdown can be spotty on these things.

[@seahorsesalt4386]

Its answering the internal dialogue that tells me what I'm doing is crap

[@Harrydewulf]

There are so many skills that you just can't learn any other way than imitation. And many others where the most effective way to practice is to follow someone else's pattern. I tell all my authors to imitate their favourite authors. The ones who do it learn more about creativity than I could ever teach them in a lesson.

[@lyndaevans1132]

Exactly right!!!

[@luciasoosova2182]

YES! You have to cook 1000 meals before you are able to make your own dish! I created a few recipes out of scratch, but it is only building up on my knowledge about food.

[@vixendreamer]

OH MY GOD! Thank you so much. As an aspiring author, I worry that my story ideas and writing are too much like my favorite authors. But after reviewing my writing, I find that I soon diverge a lot more from them. After following their voices for a while, I find my own footing and I am strong enough to walk off on my own.

[@juliusroman8616]

@@vixendreamer Can't wait till that happens to me. I'm a decent storyteller but not a decent writer yet, I've made hundreds of stories but I've never tried to write anything down. My writing style is imitating JK Rowling and Harper Lee at the moment, they're both my favorite authors.

[@Blitzcomo]

I started identifying as an “artistic” person or “creator” a few years ago when I had this sort of crisis. I’m terrible at writing music, for the most part, but I love singing and guiding people through making music. I feel best when I’ve created many things that day, even though usually it’s from following uke charts, reading sheet music for my own cover, cooking from a recipe, or cutting and sewing pieces from a pattern. “Everything that seems to be new is inspired by something that came before.” So true! Thanks for this :) (can’t believe I’m this early!)

[@autumn.frost1286]

I’ve always been someone who never found their “one thing” but instead I jump around from hobby to hobby, and definitely didn’t feel creative because I couldn’t make my own patterns or new ideas. Then two years ago I started making soap and again I felt like I was just copying what I saw but I had a realization that even if I was copying a pattern or a technique I still had to put in the work and the troubleshooting when it went wrong to make it. After that I felt a lot more at peace with all of my hobbies because of the sheer work and patience and perseverance it takes to create anything

[@christineherrmann205]

This.

[@maggie1711]

Just had this realization myself recently. Plus I always felt as though my projects were never "good enough" or that they looked amateur so I would kind of just give up and move on to a new thing hoping I'd be "good" at that. but also I realized recently everybody has to start somewhere and just because I think those thoughts doesn't mean it's the truth. We are our own worst critics sometimes. All we can do is keep creating and each project we learn more and hone our skills more. Even the most disastrous project ends up being a useful learning experience.

[@dianegodsil8548]

Amen!

[@kathycarey2996]

I'm the same way, but I've just always accepted that's the way I am. I have FUN doing all the different things I do. It's like exploring. Some times I feel more creative than others. Aren't we all somewhat creative. I mean when you cook your supper, you are creating a meal for yourself. Sometimes when I do laundry and mix all the products, or clean house and rearrange items, I feel creative.

[@maryquint3254]

Thank you. Everyone needs to search for their medium. Creating is artistic and unique to every individual. I loved this message 💕

[@LatelyFashionable]

I remember my sister once lamenting that she was not creative like our mom, who can look at a pattern for a dress or a quilt and visualize it in different colors and make design changes in her mind, and then DO them. But she (my sister) could not visualize it any differently than the picture on the front of the pattern envelope. She would have to draw it out and color it like the fabric(s) she wanted to use before she could even decide if she liked it. And she took this as proof that she wasn't as creative as our mom (or me). Of course that's not true.

[@MossyMozart]

@Chelsea Souder - My brother was a custom woodworker. He could look at a flat, rough board and see the finished object in his mind with all the measurements, cuts, and joints it would need. He would then proceed to transform the board into his vision. I wish that I could do that.

[@AbigailPoirier]

I do think that some people (not necessarily your sister) are less original than others. But that's not a reason to feel badly or less-than. People have different gifts, and different types of creativity. I think it would be super cool to write gorgeous melodies like Andrew Lloyd Webber, but for a variety of reasons (some under my control, some not) I very rarely come up with anything I would consider to be good. So I have accepted that I am less original than the composers I love so well, and I'm ok with that. I have different work to do.

[@mmtruooao8377]

I often feel very similarly. Part of it is that I just haven't learned the skillsets necessary to do art that i would like to do - because that takes time, practice, dedication. I've spent my time in school and in video games and in books. My mom talks about when I was a kid I would just make these beautiful color palettes of crayon art - but that's not creative, I told myself, because I was given crayons and I wasn't doing anything special with them. A year or so ago, I started trying to do embroidery, and it was just... really hard. It could be fun, but it was a really big struggle to make a consistent shape. I told myself it's not creative to make a leaf, everyone else can do better. Now, I'm cross-stitching, and when I got into it I felt bad because I didn't have my own patterns or ideas. I just wanted to do something simple with my hands. It's not even "proper embroidery" because I have a grid system. But something being easy doesn't mean that it's less creative. I modified designs, and I'm applying my own experiences from school and from books and games. That's creative, even if I have a hard time seeing it.

[@JenInOz]

My mother was an art teacher, a copper enamelist, wood carver and painter. My older sister is a fashion designer, seamstress, felter and works with clay art now. My brother is an industrial designer and draws cars. My younger sister is a singer & pianist who writes her own music as well as teaching piano. I have never felt creative in any of these ways. I can sing, and play piano if I have music to follow, just as I can sew if I follow a pattern. But where my creativity comes out is in my choices of what fabrics and colours to use. I *am* creative but in a different way to the others in my family.

[@kathrynmarie1133]

I've nearly always made outfits that mimic a fashion plate, a historic dress, or a character's costume in a film. There have been many that I've really wanted to make just because I adore they way they look, but lately I find myself looking for inspiration for what to make and thinking to myself 'I wish it were another colour' or 'I wish it included a certain detail' or even, 'I wish it had that neckline that I like'. It may seem obvious, but this video just made something click within me: I CAN do that. I can just create something that is my favourite colour with the best neckline and a detail that I love...just because I want to. Why has this not occurred to me before? Thank you for this, I needed a wake up call!...now to plan multiple future projects.

[@DaveTpletsch]

Wonderful. I'm a potter, a sculptor, a writer, and most recently a digital illustrator focusing on D&D character and creature art. It's been my experience that the only thing separating people who think of themselves as "Creative" and those who don't is the epiphany you just had. Not that my opinion means anything, but I fully believe you are now an artist. I hope you come to think of yourself the same way, and I hope you have a lot of fun with your new plans and projects. After all, since you're now an artist, you totally have license to make all sorts of weird stuff just because you want to, if you want to.

[@luisacstns]

This has really opened my eyes as an amateur classical musician. I thought I wasn't really being creative while playing, I mean, I just play the notes on the page, right? But I have come to realize that you really "reinvent" the piece with your interpretation, even though you keep the notes that the composer wrote. Thank you so much for this great video, Cathy!

[@Betsyschugar]

It took me a long time as a musician to realize that. But eventually I got to the point where I could tell myself “you know what? People have played this song before me, and people will play it after. But nobody has ever played it exactly like I will play it. Nobody has ever heard my emotion and my interpretation of the music before.” And that was such a life-changing moment for me. I’m glad you realized it too!!

[@carolynwilliams5918]

It's somehow very reassuring to hear you say that you're a mathematician - my majors in college were Computer science and Mathematics, and I currently work as a software engineer. It surprises people sometimes given that I'm the 'creative' friend who paints miniatures, draws constantly, and DIY'd her wedding decorations.

[@dragonqueenarts]

Hey Cathy, I've just noticed, having not really heard you in a while, your voice sounds so wonderful! It has really improved, and I feel a confidence coming from you. I just wanted to applaud all the hard work you are doing. I know how difficult healing can be. I just want you to know that your voice and your energy is making me happy, and I am pumped to see what more you can accomplish.

[@lilybloome]

The last time I was this early I thought you had to be born talented to do anything worthwhile! (Thank you so much for all of the inspiration; I admire you so much)

[@0x0hattie0x0]

most talent is a slight inclination towards something and a hell of a lot of work

[@catherinerw1]

I'm watching this while churning out face-masks... still making things that weren't there before, with fabric combinations that hadn't been put together before, and fiddling with the construction to make them better :) (As of today, face coverings are compulsory in shops in Scotland, I'm making them and selling them to friends and acquaintances, as a way to stay sane because my normal creative outlet of singing in a choir is currently off the menu!). So many thanks for the definition of convergent (which I'm good at) vs divergent (which I'm not) creativity! (I'm a scientist by training). PS love the roses. C

[@Missbethr]

I think you really nailed something in that creative is too often used as a blanket synonym for imaginative. Both are great! Both have strengths and weaknesses. As a wildy imaginative person, I tremendously respect people who manage to manifest, i.e. create from their impulses. My wildly imaginative streak doesn't always have the follow through.

[@Anne-iz5br]

I often struggle with not being able to express my imagination. I recently realized this requires skill (kind of obvious really) and skill requires practice and practice is often copying someone else and follow instructions.

[@EinhornAnspitzer]

Wow, I finally have a word for this! Convergent thinking! I am very much a convergent thinker - I want the right solution in maths, the truth in philosophy, and when I am creative, I aim towards a specific thing- the poem that exactly expresses what I feel, or the fanfiction with the most accurate characterization. I sometimes feel hindered by the idea of the perfect way to do something. But maybe that is just my way of creativity. Thank you ♡

[@karupe9982]

Aw never thought of this like this. Also how enthusiastic she sounded when talking about her peers is lovely. It's true how lovely and creative yet different Bernadette, Rachel...are.

[@Musicfreak1ify]

Same, I studied at an art University and I've always said that I don't consider myself a creative person, god it was like I murdered their mother. I've never been the type to draw crazy and artistic designs to sell to people, I've always been pedantic about seam and dart placements in my designs, even the initial ones, and I love being able to create things that are exactly like my designs on paper. Maybe all this time I've been a Convergent designer in a room of Divergent ones, and there's nothing wrong with that.

[@jenninstitches]

I am such a complete creative slump and this was just what I needed to hear. Thank you for this wonderful corner of the internet to snuggle into to learn and be uplifted.

[@janhenry9733]

I'm taking a pattern drafting course through the local university and I've been floored by the concept of taking my sloper and drawing new lines on it to create a new pattern! While I'm basing it on the look of the film gown, the bodice has to fit me, and my body type, so I have to make the design tweaks that look best on me while also creating the now-familiar shape that is the film gown. It's definitely a creative process. :-)

[@DaveTpletsch]

Absolutely. I wish more people understood that problem solving like that is creativity too, but we seem to have been trained not to think that way.

[@redbird9658]

Gosh my self esteem is low. This actually made me cry. Thanks.

[@karengerber8390]

Oh, Kathy Hay, Thank you from the root of my Soul! I used to speak of "birthing" paintings, drawings & clothes. And adopting out my "children" to loving homes. ...Happy Mother's Day! You decide if I am late for this year or early for next year! Much love & Respect Karen Gerber

[@winnievaughan]

Life is art! Love is art! EVERYTHING is art, EVERY persons brain is a powerful creative tool, therefore, EVERYONE is an artist. All work, even the abstract (like thoughts, feelings, perception) is art. Your soul is art, your life is art, you are the orchestrator, the engineer, the artist, the sculptor of your own destiny. That is the ultimate art form. You beautiful people need to give yourself more credit. ❤️

[@animatedmooncloud3181]

This reminds me of one of my animation professors. He started as an army soldier with a geology degree who was then encouraged into being an artist because a teacher saw his doodles during class. He says he’s not the best artist but he’s quick and a good problem solver which helps the animation become smooth and look amazing. Not everyone that finds their creative path started out searching for it, it found them.

[@nessaincajuncounty6533]

I have always felt that i could never be creative. That all I could do was copy something already been made . Thank you Ms. Hay.

[@LedgerAndLace]

I really appreciate the distinction between convergent and divergent creativity. My mother was very convergent and she would be incredulous at my "in all directions" approach. Thanks for the Ah-ha Lightbulb Moment!

[@inas3993]

Hello Cathy, I really like your explanation about converging/diverging and consequently you take on creativity and it's connection to historical accuracy. I couldn't agree more. Actually, making a Late Victorian Walking Skirt on the basis of the instructions in Keystone's was creative and copying. It sparked my interest in historical costuming. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@suemiller9842]

The only person who is not creative is the one who is too afraid to try anything. So what if you copy a pattern, better that, than a garment that does not fit you. You choose the fabric,and you choose the trimmings. That's creativity. The world does not need a pair of pants with 3 legs !!! As your confidence grows, you will change a neckline, a sleeve, or a hemline. Then you will have your truly unique design. Forget about others, just have fun; enjoy yourself. Cathy, you are truly a remarkable person. Thank you.

[@susannemallmann2018]

A long long time ago, I had a boss that told me that I think I am a creative person but that I am actually not creative. According to him, the outfits that I was making, were all based on a pattern (they were not, but okay). So basically I was just following someone elses creativity. He felt like he was creative though because he had found a solution to an actuarial problem that I couldn't have come up with. He informed me of his ideas and then I created the actual solution, which was not as brilliant as he thought it was. I would have made a better and more proper solution. Not that I mentioned that to him... It did get me to thinking about the "creative" characterisation. To me, "creative" means exactly what you just described. And the thing my boss was referring to was "inventive". I am no inventive person, I know that. But I am very creative and know exactly what I need to do to get a specific outfit. I might combine patterns to get another pattern. So I would be creating basically something new from something existing. How can't that be creative? It sure doesn't make me an Angela or a Rachel, I know that. :-) Anyhoo. I was so thrilled to hear that you are a mathematician, as I am one myself. Later I also studied to become an actuary. Such a satisfying profession. I love all the numbers and I am creative in that field as well.

[@TheMonarchofGold]

This is a very interesting take. I've had a similar struggle before, because even though I'm a woman, my style and way of doing things is incredibly brash and masculine. So, thank you for reinforcing that there is room for everyone to be here. There is plenty of room for the convergent and divergent ones, and even room for the very messy artist like me.

[@OverpepperedSoup]

Love this video essay! Definitely respect the convergent creators, because I am just not good at it. I find that I copy things or pieces of things when I am learning to do something new (like crochet lace, my latest obsession; so many new motifs and techniques!). But I only seem to be able to copy them until I've learned whatever thing caught my interest. It's too irresistible to deviate and tweak it to better suit my purposes. I do this with crochet, cooking, pretty much everything. This seems to be my family's creative bent, because they're the same way. Also, lovely to discover another creative person with a math background!

[@BigHenFor]

I have found that creativity is problem-solving, and when I have solved a problem, however I have done it I have been creative. It's the process of arriving at a solution is where I am being creative, not necessarily the result. "Original" ideas are always influenced by or borrowed from others to a greater or lesser degree. Even the greatest of us, stands on the shoulders of those who came before. So, as long as you enjoy the process of making something, you are being creative because you are solving 2 human problems: 1) how to find joy, and 2) how to make something new. Enjoy your your creations because they are the fruits of your labour.

[@MossyMozart]

@BigHenFor - YES!

[@wolveshowling26]

Yes that's how I define it for myself too! Problem solving.

[@coronastern]

This is why I (as a media designer) can't design out of thin air. I need some specs, some "problems" or limits within the project like "only print" "you can only use 2 colores" and so on. THEN I get Ideas over and over. So ... yeah, you are absolutly right!

[@carolines7215]

This is a wonderful way of thinking about it! I love to bake but never viewed it as creative-that is until quarantines started and I needed to mash together and adapt recipes to match the ingredients I had! Solving the problem of missing ingredients made the process feel very creative!

[@lookingatthesky1949]

Thank you so much for this, Cathy. This week I decided to learn drawing. Every time I pick up my pencils to draw or start sewing my head tells me that I'm not creative enough, so it's not worth trying. Screw that! I'm going to try anyways.

[@naomi9926]

I think I've been needing to hear this for a while! I'm over halfway through my MA in English literature thesis and sometimes can't help but feel that I'm simply regurgitating what better scholars have said before. This was a much needed reminder for me that so much of academia is made up of convergent creativity anyway, I'm putting undue pressure on myself. Thank you for yet another wonderfully comforting video x

[@AbigailPoirier]

Speaking of English literature, C.S. Lewis said "Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it."

[@Isdris]

I feel you, I´ve written my MA Thesis in politics and boy.... I´ve never felt so uncreative from start to finish. Always thought "those arent my thoughts, someone has already written this somehwere" etc. I got really frustrated at the end. The thing is: at the end is yours. Its an amazing feeling holding your own thesis! Wish you all the best, the trouble is worth it!

[@naomi9926]

@@AbigailPoirier What a great quote, I never came across it before! And as the saying goes, there's nothing new under the sun

[@naomi9926]

@@Isdris Absolutely, the way you put all those thoughts together will always be original anyway! Thank you so much for your encouragement!!

[@cristinerose21]

Im only halfway thru my history batchelors degree and im 46 years old so you can do it

[@franj1]

I think you're a completely brilliant and kind person.

[@fionafiona1146]

Your Voice is Great now, I hope that's a reflection on your general state of being 😉❤️💋

[@kimberlywest7839]

This is something that has stopped me from pursuing creative outlets for years. I have always felt like my creative levels live at rock bottom. I love all of your videos. You are such an uplifting light in all of your followers lives.

[@huetmaryline90]

As an engineer, I am incapable of copying a garment. I always try to improve it. I start and then "Oh but wouldn't it be better if...." and the result is .. different !

[@Aquafelis]

Being creative makes you think, but doing something aesthetically pleasing makes you feel. And sometimes that's all you need :)

[@MossyMozart]

@Aqufelia Aeri - People do not always recognize the presence of aesthetics, but they sure recognize its absence even if they do not know why!

[@naseerahvj]

As a very divergent creative, I always want to be more convergent, methodical and focused (I'm very type a and hate clutter/unorganized space). However, I've learned that I'm just not successful that way. I have to jump between very different projects to keep my energy and creativity fresh enough. If I focus on one thing too long it gets stale, and I stop enjoying it, it starts to feel like homework. I also prefer to be inspired by the ingenuity and resourcefulness of historical sewing, rather than precise recreation. I love mixing my favorite elements of historical and Desi design to make things that I feel comfortable and myself in.

[@VirtuallyViktoriyan]

Thank you for this! I am reading Hank Green’s book, a beautifully foolish endeavor, and I think this is exactly what one of his protagonists struggles with! Being original and creative is not something that happens in a vacuum, and being influenced by others is the point of existing within a community.

[@SciFiCheerGirl]

Thank you! I've always found it difficult to categorize my version of creativity, so I shy away from calling myself creative at all. This helps!

[@janetmoore1124]

I've heard it said many times that there really is nothing "new" - everything has already been discovered, invented, created. What I know for certain is that I get inspiration from others and then move on to do my own thing. Sometimes it is a radically different thing than what inspired me, sometimes it is a thing that is a recreation. At the end of the day, I may not have 'invented' it, but I did 'create' it. I think we get caught up in the idea of "perfection" and lose sight of what we are actually attempting to do. And, our definitions create issues for us; one person's 'success' is another person's 'getting by' or 'failure'.

[@MrSludov]

In fact, that´s quite the way "art" has always evolved.

[@rhiannon9549]

I've had this conversation recently with an art teacher at the school I work at. I do cross-stitch, I create beautiful art that hangs on my wall and brings me joy, but I've never considered myself creative in that. I'm creative when I write, but not when I sew, I'm just following a pattern. This teacher reminded me that at it's heart, creative is about creating something new, and by new I don't mean innovative or unique, but something that wasn't in the world when you started the process. I have 'created' things. And that I need to own the word creative, even when I don't feel it

[@berkleypearl2363]

I had the silliest feeling yesterday. I was planning on painting my dnd mini and I wanted to make sure I used colors I liked, so I went around Pinterest looking at embroidery, paintings, tiny fairy dresses made for dolls, trees, and all the things that I think are pretty for color ideas. And for *some reason* my foolish brain decided that that was stealing. My brain was telling me that I was so uncreative and boring and I was stealing other people’s art. Like? What?? No! I’m not even capable of copying someone’s fairy dress or embroidery onto this figurine because the whole thing is a premade sculpture half the height of my thumb! I feel like I have been weighted down with so much pressure to be creative that the act of drawing inspiration from something feels like plagiarism. Also the fact that I once had an English teacher who told me that if I didn’t have a citation after every third sentence in my paper then I was plagiarizing, because “everything that can be said has already been said. Therefore you must give credit to those who were first.” I’ve never fully recovered from the thought that I will never have anything new or good to say. So yeah. “Creativity” is overrated. If you create you are being creative. Just make things and put in love, effort, and care into what you do. Be proud of your work. You have made something!

[@MossyMozart]

One tool that I find very helpful when planning a color scheme is to collect as many paint chip samples, Pantone samples, Formica chip samples, and the like, as I can in every color possible, whether in a color I "love" or not. (I keep them in a big shoe box.) Then when you need to develop a scheme, spread out likely samples and look at them with unfocused eyes. You can quickly see what colors harmonize and what do not. Feel free to tweak the colors in your computer, paint palette, or colored pencil drawings so that they make an even better fit. One mark of a great artist (not me, I assure you) is the great color schemes they use in their work.

[@AbigailPoirier]

I'm posting this reply to several people's comments because I feel that it is so very important: C. S. Lewis said "Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it." I think your teacher, while being mostly correct, was bitter and cynical. Also, you might not have been the first person to think of an idea, but you did think of it before hearing it from someone else.

[@kaiyode3599]

Every single time I click a video of yours and watch it, I feel that much more of a self loving human. Thank you for your contribution to this timeline we're all riding on.

[@KHAZimmermann]

This was such a lovely video! So heartwarming. It reminds me of a very long, late evening chat I had with a friend. She's very scientific, and pragmatic, and I am the other am 'artistic' with my head in the clouds. But we discovered through chatting that we're both extremely creative in our own domains. We came to the conclusion that creativity is answering to a question you, or the world has. Not making anything new desperately. That helped with my imposter syndrome a lot!

[@emilyedwards4914]

Cathy always makes me cry happy tears. I have never finished one of her videos and not felt better about myself in some way.

[@ThatSpoonieTransGuy]

Wow, I had no idea how much I needed to hear this, thank you.

[@teresavalliere2888]

Create inspire delight. Even everyday chores done with though or care can be creative in there own light!

[@thecompassrose5808]

Passing on the instruction from my first theater teacher, who has been in the business 40+ years, that he himself was told by a mentor, "Steal, steal, steal. Nothing is truly 'new' " We all take inspiration from the world around us and translate it into our works, even if you are doing it subconsciously.

[@iangillham9647]

Copy from one thing mah, copy from two things- creative, copy from three things-GENIUS!

[@alexandraleigh]

People who want to learn and preserve the original form and production of our Historical dress arts Hand sewing, Lacemaking, recreating Clothes using the format that we used Pre and post sewing machine are just as creative as someone who comes up with an "Orginal Design" And Trust me I have to have Patterns for my Historical work or I end up Crazy!! Thank you, Cathy, for this message to all of us!

[@helenasample4872]

I really needed to hear this today Cathy! Thank you so much. I am always getting down on myself for this, but you're right! I'm creating with everything I do.

[@rebekahanderson5020]

This was very comforting. I find that I can at times have either convergent or divergent creativity. It doesn't have to be either/or. It just depends on the situation I am in/the materials I have at hand. BTW, I loved that you name dropped Rachel Maksy

[@toniroche-simmons2238]

"Re creating it" ! You are being creative by recreating a pattern to fit yourself. Making something from scratch for yourself is creating it. You have created a thing. A dress. To turn your hand at something, the end result is your creation. Some people don't realise how creative they are. They seem to think it's too difficult to do. But once you do something by learning you then know that you can do it and you don't see it as being difficult. People have told me that the things I've studied are difficult but I say to them that when you know about a topic or how to do something then it isn't seen as difficult as you thought it was as you now know how to do it. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with us. An inspiration as always xx

[@hannamato]

This is exactly what I needed to hear right now in my life situation. I'm starting my maternity leave (9 months minimum) right when my contract at my job is ending, and I've kicked myself back and forth whether I am "creative enough" to start posting up-cycling diy stuff of my own on youtube after I regain some energy back. This was a good reminder, that it's more important that I get excited about something myself rather than being an "original creation" if there even is such a thing.

[@naamahnotorious955]

Since you're on maternity leave... You are probably the most 'creative' person in this discussion.... You're creating a human being!

[@kimkinsella7245]

Another way of thinking is transformative creativity - writing fanfic, making YT posts reviewing media, taking something that already exists and turning it into something new and different. That's how I comfort myself when I get in the "nothing I do counts" kind of mood.

[@nobody4911]

I hope I'm not offending you by mentioning this, but your voice sounds so strong today! It's wonderful to be able to witness your progress. Wishing you the best

[@jeanninekalua9016]

Thank you thank you. I'm such a convergent perspective person. I create from what already exists and have always felt bad that I dont know how to be a divergent creative!! My mother and sister are with music, and well I have to play what isnwritten, and I dont hear new music in my head. I've tried, it doesn't work. So thank you for sharing this tidbit of wisdom, the other side of the coin! I've always felt like I was a fraud on some level, when that isnt true. Grateful I found your channel.

[@lindseyenna]

Your video on perfectionism reminded me of a book that I would recommend to everyone who enjoys creating any kind of art be it culinary, sewing, painting, woodworking, etc. It’s called Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love). She calls her readers out on every obstacle and excuse that inhibits the creative process (such as perfectionism) and gives very sound advice on how to move forward. It has really stuck with me and I’m so happy that I read it! Both of you give some of the same advice, and some is different. It’s a pretty quick read and so worth it! Thank you for all of the wonderful advice and encouragement you continue to give us :) It truly is incredibly helpful and has emboldened me to take action.

[@erinfurby7091]

Thank you, Cathy, I am using my mending projects to practice my hand stitching skills in preparation for making some historical garments. It is so comforting to think of mending as creative. I certainly enjoy having my clothes back in wearable condition and increasing my skills at the same time. Erin

[@canucknancy4257]

Thank you so much for these words. I will be creative this week, in my way.

[@rebeccaatkins1923]

Thank you Cathy. I think we get so caught up in how other people are creating, we overlook our own achievements. Its not a race, we aren't competing, there won't be anyone sitting in judgement. We need to take a step back from supporting and cheerleading others, allow ourselves to praise our own efforts.

[@chrispe82]

I’ve definitely felt this. I’m surprised when others comment on how creative I can be.

[@tarafoley6030]

I am a 61 yr. old "creator" ... and I absolutely agree with exactly the way you've expressed yourself. I too started out following the pattern ... when @ some point, I chose to use a drapery fabric instead of the suggested lightweight shirting fabric because I "pictured" the "stunning" finished dress, in my mind ... pattern, colours, but most importantly the shape change I could achieve with a heavier fabric. It turned out even better than I had envisioned & Every time I wore that dress, I was approached by complete strangers with wonderful compliments. My creativity expanded from there .... Not everything I tried worked, but I'd say 99% did. Do not be afraid to experiment. You will find your muse when you trust yourself. 💕

[@donnasmith2201]

Hi, I'm Donna that send one of the emails. Thank you so much . You have inspired me, and I went online and ordered a pattern for an early 20th century long skirt and jacket. It arrived yesterday and I'm quite excited to have a go. Thank you for caring enough to make a video :) x

[@elizabethaucoin6290]

It strikes me that a mathematician is exactly what you need to be to create elegant fashion. I am terrible at math, and the perfect intro to sewing for me was children's Halloween costumes, I worked without a pattern to create an optical illusion, but I often wished i was better at doing the math. The dresses you chose to recreate are awesome, and they make fashion history accessible to many more people, so good on you!

[@marm742]

You are like a fairy godmother for the souls of your listeners. You speak the heart of things in a way that many of us can relate to and cling to. Thank you for helping us understand that we can be creative in our own unique ways. It means so much to hear this.

[@florindalucero3236]

Thank you for addressing this, it really speaks to me; I paint, and people praise me, and push back when I explain that I'm not actually creative, I just faithfully reproduce what my eye sees. People don't "hear" me when I say this, and it can be frustrating.

[@DawnOldham]

I used to have a business (20 years before I retired) where I sold scrapbook supplies and held “workshop” time where the (mostly) women came and worked together on their albums once a month. Tongue in cheek, we ALWAYS told people to use the CASE method. Copy and Steal Everything. But while your “copying” something you’ve seen, you most often make alterations, big and small, to your creation! That’s where we could give some credit by saying we were inspired by so and so or such and such! I’ve always considered myself creative, but my first place to go when getting ready did to create is to look at similar things- often on Google. I love your historical interest in clothing. It’s provided me with a lot of enjoyment! Thank you for this video!

[@nickmunoz8320]

My favorite thing is watching so many different people to ultimately decide how I wanna craft. I use techniques from quilters and bag makers when making clothes and me personally I learn extremely well through videos so having all these content creators at my disposal is truly a blessing

[@applesofavalon]

Just when I was feeling very blarg, Cathy swoops in with a lovely pep talk. Seriously, anytime I'm in a deep pit of imposter syndrome I watch one of these videos. I'm so grateful for them!

[@elkepeterson8164]

Thank you..... “you’re giving birth to something that’s new”. I didn’t think I was creative at all.... and so desired to be....“be creative in your way...” and I do.... is it good. Maybe it’s fun and there is joy! Thank you Ms. Cathy

[@adamay1641]

I wish I heard these words when I was in university. One of the biggest hurdles I had studying to be in technical theatre is constantly associating creativity with originality. I had immense difficulty designing anything and feared I was not nor would ever be creative. As I continued my training, I learned to umbrella 'creativity' to include terms such as fabricator, technician, and craftsman. All valid in a creative field. If you choose to participate in a creative practice, then you are creative in your own way.

[@viiIeiraS]

Creativity it's also being able to learn something new, that you invision in your mind. Lots of times you will not have all the tools but if you are a creative person you will make it work with what you have, looking around your house for stuff for completing your project. In industry we use patterns all the time and it's a great tool to make pieces fit well, this way you know that it will fit, and you can move on to more important decisions 😉 Got to love the shortcuts. One teacher used to say to us ' you don't get a bigger prize if you struggle more with things', no need to choose the difficult rout.

[@mevrouwmevrouw4413]

Yes!! And creativity is so much wider too. Say, you do make that blouse,exactly according to the pattern, even the same fabric, buttons and what not as suggested in the pattern. The process may be so calming, soothing, or envigorating for your brain that you manage to get through the day in a new way. A way that makes you look different at things and people around you. That is creativity too. Very important creativity! Not only the writing of a poem is creation. The reading is too.

[@adedow1333]

Kathy, you are a delight! I didn't know you were a mathematician. How fun is that?! How utterly wonderful! I find myself in need of creation. If I get so bogged down with kids and vacuuming and dishes that I can't make anything new during the day, I tend to think my day has been wasted. Then again, so much of my day is creating anyway, like cleanliness or well-mannered children. It's fantastic the amount of creating we do just by living and bothering to care about anything at all! Thank you again, lovely one, for being such a light!

[@HosCreates]

I love the self love golden drop of cozyness you give us . I feel like I am being wrapped up in a positive blanket of love with a good warm beverage on a cold day. Thank you Kathy ! I have always been told I'm pretty creative but when depressed I just copy others and have no will to do anything out of the box. there is nothing wrong with copying others- I've heard it said " Imitation is the greatest form of flattery"

[@alrandom18]

My aunt had a natural talent for drawing but also spent years practicing. When I was little I couldn't understand why I couldn't draw like her. I felt like when I'd follow along from a "how to draw book" or trace an image, I was cheating. She was quick to tell me how untrue that is. The fact that you pick up the pen, or scissors or whatever it may be and using that creative part of your brain is what is important. So what if you re make the same dress or draw the same drawing? You are learning and enjoying something. And the more you practice and know those lines and those movements, the more you can just do if from memory or think of something "new". Also, always amazed how sweet you are Cathy!!! So positive and encouraging ❤️❤️❤️

[@valerialamav]

Just yesterday I sat down crying because I didn't know what to draw, I felt uncreative, like I was just copying other artists, or like whatever I drew wasn't special, like it was not enough. Having grown up in a family of artists, I always thought I had to invent something completely new,, something different, or else I wouldn't be creative. I had no idea what would come to me today when I opened youtube to find your video, right there, just waiting for me to click on it. So I did, I clicked on the video not knowing what to expect and instead, I was greeted with understanding, validation, reassurance, that no matter what sort of art I make, I am creative. I am creative, and so is everyone else. Thank you, Cathy, for always being so wise and helpful, so thoughtful and kind to us. I really cannot express how much I needed to hear this, and I'm sure many others needed it as well, just by reading the comments of your videos I hope you realize how much we love you, and how thankful we are for always being there for us, even when you don't mean to. Thank you, Cathy.

[@Liz-sc5dg]

Lovely message! My creative source comes from Mr. Dress Up, a children's television show that I grew up watching. ❤

[@fernandaz3227]

This is so important! I'm a digital artist and I get this question a lot! A lot of beginners don't like the idea of using references. They feel they are cheating if they collect images for a project or look up other artist's work. They feel it must come from memory to be original. There is also this strange sense of ownership. If they didn't make it from 0 100% is not really theirs. It's so important to understand that originality comes from all the different sources of inspiration, as you say, and study the techniques required. As artist, we need to constantly feed our brains, keep learning and growing. And I think that's the beauty of it. Because it makes all part of something much bigger, it connects us! Thank you so much for this video. I'm new in your channel and I love your work! Following the peacock dress Journey!

[@blairlowery8479]

Choosing the fabric, trim, and other embellishments is the creative part of following a pattern.

[@JSJSpeaks]

Yes, yes, YES! There is a definite distinction between invention and creativity; one need not intent a brand new technique to engage in creative arts. Following well established techniques allows a person to be creative within a framework, and that is supportive of releasing creative energies. I have taught several artistic endeavors and often heard "I'm not creative," and I vehemently disagree! I would reply, "if you're alive, now, as a human being, you are innately creative; you probably just haven't found your medium yet!" And in that way, people felt free to try, express, experiment, and enjoy a project. Thank you for your wonderful content Cathy, we're all lucky to have you!

[@impracticalsewing7071]

I envy your creativity because I find so many problems whilst sewing that could be solved with math, but my knowledge and ability to problem solve just isn't there. I often have to bring in another person to help me morph my ideas into a physical thing. Your ability to "get to the answer" is incredible and I know that in order to do that you have to have many theories and ideas then test them. And if that doesn't work you have more.

[@madelinegutierrez1720]

I know I'm very creative - my problem is money, time, and things right around me that need to get done (but haven't been since I moved and created these tasks - fixing up house I bought, etc). So I need to listen to you and remember I do my best to live a "creative life." Not stuck in a rut, willing to try new things, even if it's just a new route home from the doctor's, stopping at a park I've never walked through, looking, thinking, seeing, being mentally open and absorbing things I see, smell, hear, touch. Thank you Cathy!

[@ChayatsujiKimono]

Thank you so much for this video Cathy, it has come at the right moment for me ! Someone said to me that one person may be creative with their hands, but the other can be creative with their head/mind. There is no wrong way of being creative. I'm very visual and also like to deconstruct things from pictures and trying my hands at recreating it, it gives me great pleasure when I am able to do it succesfully ^^

[@eiriktheread4323]

Thank you for this wonderful video, Cathy. I for one struggle with Imposter Syndrome (that little voice in the back of my head telling me I'm a fraud, that I'm only tricking people into thinking what I make is good, that I'm not "really creative") to such a degree that it forced me out of most of my artistic pursuits for a very long time. I'm still relearning how to do a lot of the things I used to as a child without a second thought-- drawing, writing creatively-- only now it takes real conscious effort not to give up. It does help to remind myself that no matter what the quality of my work, or whether I followed a pattern to get there, I have put something new into the world. I created, thus I am a creator, and that makes me creative. And hearing that from another person is an incredible boost. Thank you again.

[@hameley12]

Thank you for this Cathy. Your words reminded me of four years ago. I remember arriving home, getting to work on my book idea, suddenly I was overwhelmed. I went outside for a walk, came back home and still I could not write down one or two sentences. I did not know then that's called 'writer's block'. Anyway, I started reading four books per month and soon I was writing & drawing again. That experience taught me to slow down, take a deep breath, and just continue to listen and/or study someone else's work. From the beginning of March I started learning French 💁‍♀️🍷❤❤ *KZbinrs keep on learning and experimenting with different languages, arts, and sewing techniques.*

[@ArwenUndomiel406]

How do you always know about the struggles and doubts that plague me? It’s as if you have a private backdoor to my brain. Thank you so much milady. You are a gift.

[@LaDivinaLover]

I simply adore this woman! ❤️ Just when I’m feeling low and lost with this gown I’m making she pipes up and gives me a morale boost with the power of 10 espressos. Thank you Cathy!!

[@cassandra2037]

I love how "create" is rooted within "creative" - Even if you're not making something that is 100% new, you are making something. And like any living thing, creativity needs sustenance to grow and evolve. Imagine a tiny seed that needs water, sunshine, earth. It's not making its own but when it grows into a sapling, or even a tree, it begins producing its own leaves. As always, your videos are just right and come at the right time for me. Thank you, Cathy.

[@YTistooannoying]

I think envy mixed with self doubt is a huge roadblock when a person looks at themselves or others as being creativity or trying to be. For instance, I am all left thumbs, I have barely any dexterity. I cannot draw, sew, decorate, paint, play an instrument. I can write and create stories, but as it isn't something that people are instantly drawn to (a picture is worth a thousand words), I often feel that my form of creative isn't worth as much because it is such a niche and not as accessible. But I enjoy creating and there are people who enjoy what I do and that is important. Do you get pleasure and joy from your work? Then you are also creating happiness and pleasure within yourselves and others. I have to tell you thank you, Cathy. I have been having a very difficult time and your thoughtful videos really help me.

[@mimmikibilly]

I was in fashion school for two years, and a thing we did during pattern making was taking a dress from a magazine and try to decipher the pattern. It was really helpful.

[@mouseluva]

Thank you for this video. My architecture professors often make me feel like I'm not good enough because I have more convergent creativity and not much divergent. I wish more of them were supportive of the strengths instead of trying to make me something I'm not. Thank you for the validation and self esteem Cathy ❤️

[@surabhiagrawal9936]

Hearing you call yourself a mathematician is so validating to me. I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics last year but I never thought to call myself a mathematician; the job applications always told me that mathematician at least had PhDs. And I don't have to choose between being a mathematician or a creative. In fact, I am realizing that I developed my creativity through my mathematical training. I needed creativity to succeed in mathematics! Sure, there were the rote, repetition, plug and chug mathematical classes. But I also succeeded in highly creative math classes. I survived (and thrived) in proofs classes where I had just a list of definitions and theorems and an end goal to prove. I creatively pieced together the definitions and theorems to *create* a solution proving the end claim.

[@summerseasstitch]

I've spent a lot of my life thinking about creativity and how to respond to people who say they aren't creative. I've pointed out to friends that even their houseproud obsessions are a form of creativity. This is the first time I've heard of it described as convergent and divergent and I love this way of thinking of it. Thank you so much for this insight, it's given me lots to think about in my work. Much love x

[@RomansVault]

your videos are always so uplifting and radiate positivity. your voice is also beautifully calming. i am a long time subscriber and i just wanted to let you know how much i appreciate you

[@K_rye]

I was listening to this while making cards and stopped cold when you described the difference in creative styles. It was a true light bulb moment for me. I've been crafting for decades and made things that people told me they liked, but never felt creative. I always have to start from a pattern or picture. Even when I made changes, it was still not really be creative. I needed to hear that it's OK to just be me. That what I do IS creative. Thank you very much for this and your other messages that lift my spirits.

[@noramulvehill9750]

I’ve been knitting since I was six. I’m really good at it: I understand the structure of the stitches and how they work together, and I am able to fix nearly any mistake I make. However, I’ve never really thought of myself as creative (at least not with knitting) because I always follow a pattern that someone else wrote, and I just have to pick out the right yarn for the project. This video was a fantastic reminder to me that just the fact that I am creating something from scratch when I knit is creative. Thank you, I didn’t know I needed this today.

[@cindland]

Genius, Cathy! That’s what we do as humans. We relate by observing and sharing and learning from each other’s ideas and experiences. We all put our own spin on what we perceive, or even perceive it differently in the first place!. No one’s interpretation is EXACTLY like another. That is the creative part of our being. On another note, your voice “came back” when you started talking about your background and education. Clear as a bell!