Why Adults Find It So Hard to Be Creative

Watch the extended version on Nebula: go.nebula.tv/sarahrenaeclark
Are you a creative person?
In this extensive look at creativity, I’m exploring what it means to be creative, why some people are more creative than others, and how our brains are wired for creative thinking. It’s not as simple as left/right brain, and you might rethink everything you know about creativity after this video.
Special Thanks to:
Kristy Rice @KristyRice
Scott Christian Sava @ssavaart
Sam Denby @Wendoverproductions @jetlagthegame @halfasinteresting
Thomas Frank @Thomasfrank @ThomasFrankExplains
Laurie Shannon @TheIcingArtist
Chapters:
00:00 Why are only some people creative?
02:08 What Is a creative person?
05:48 Is Creativity a Personality Trait?
07:45 What is Creativity?
10:36 Connecting the Dots
12:03 Test: Can You Think Outside the Box?
15:59 Right-Brain Myth
16:16 The Neuroscience of Creative Thinking
17:36 ADHD & Creativity
18:00 The Special Switch in Our Brain
19:49 Are Kids More Creative Than Adults?
24:00 Are We Killing Creative Thinking in Our Kids?
31:30 Why Is Creativity So Important?
34:16 Building Creative Muscles
35:23 How to Increase Your Creativity
References and Further Reading:
Studies:
Robust prediction of individual creative ability from brain functional connectivity: www.pnas.org/doi/pdf/10.1073/...
The Influence of Ceiling Height: The Effect of Priming on the Type of Processing That People Use: assets.csom.umn.edu/assets/71...
Thinking “Outside the Box”: Unconstrained Creative Generation in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/a...
Quantity yields quality when it comes to creativity: a brain and behavioral test of the equal-odds rule: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
The Creative Brain: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
Creativity myths: Prevalence and correlates of misconceptions on creativity: www.sciencedirect.com/science...
Relationships among creativity indices: Creative potential, production, achievement, and beliefs about own creative personality: journals.plos.org/plosone/art...
In Pursuit of Everyday Creativity: dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/338...
Books:
Making Ideas Happen, Scott Belsky
The Creative Act: A Way of Being, Rick Ruben
Articles:
The Walt Disney Creative Strategy: www.yumpu.com/en/document/rea...
Is a Creative Person Born or Made: www.occolondon.com/blogs/lear...
The Neuroscience of Creativity: blogs.scientificamerican.com/...
Embracing Bad Ideas To Get To Good Ideas: hbr.org/2016/12/embracing-bad...
15 Myths About Creativity: www.psychologytoday.com/au/bl...
What is Creativity?: www.csun.edu/~vcpsy00h/creati....
Creativity (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creativity
Ten Habits of Highly Creative People: greatergood.berkeley.edu/arti...
Creativity: The science behind the madness | Rainn Wilson, David Eagleman & more | Big Think: • Creativity: The scienc...
Do Schools Kill Creativity? jamesclear.com/great-speeches...
Creativity as a Life Skill: Gerard Puccio at TEDxGramercy: • Creativity as a Life S...
The Circuitry of Creativity: How Our Brains Innovate Thinking: caltechletters.org/science/wh...
The Neuroscience of Creativity - A Short Guide: www.jeffbullas.com/neuroscien...
The Importance of Creativity in Business: online.hbs.edu/blog/post/impo...
The Creativity of ADHD: www.scientificamerican.com/ar...
The executive control network and symptomatic improvement in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26363...
Interactions between attention-grabbing networks weak in ADHD: www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/...
ADHD’s Secret Demon - and How to Tame It: www.additudemag.com/default-m...
Side Project Time (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Side_pr...
As you can see, a lot of research went into this video! So shares and comments are hugely appreciated, and please subscribe if you found this interesting!

[@dgswatercolor]

I’ve always said I’m not creative- I’m artistic. Give me an example or directions and I can produce. Give me materials with no direction and I’ll blank. This is something I’m trying hard to work on as I love CREATING but I struggle with originality

[@clarewillison9379]

I know what you mean. Try copying or even tracing something you admire exactly with not a mark missing or added… after a few minutes I’d bet you’d start to notice some differences and then it’s up to you whether to rub out your deviation or go with it and start doing something new, or stop the copying/tracing and start freewheeling. If after a lot of these exercises you prefer copying/tracing and never go off on your own thing, it doesn’t mean you’re not creative because in doing it you’re recreating something and recreation is fun and good for you. But I bet you’d find your own style while rigidly trying to follow someone else’s. It’s a way to get out of a block when you can’t think of an idea and at worst it’s a good mindfulness exercise! Find your fun x

[@dogbark]

I feel the same way, I'm always in awe at what people are able to come up with. I can only draw if I have a reference

[@uhhwhateverdude9463]

@@dogbarkI’ve always been told to use references.

[@carissapicchi8199]

Yes!!! I'm trying so hard to not use tutorials and they just turn out over worked, muddy, boring and just wonky. It's so frustrating. My florals are gorgeous when I follow directions, but on my own, it's like I'm starting at the beginning and never seen a flower.

[@healthylivingjourney]

This is me as well…

[@WWarped1]

As children, we play, and play is linked to creativity. As we grow, this idea of play and imagination is taken away from us. It's classed as childish. So much is geared towards exams that have financial value. We forget the process of a playful imagination, the chaos of mess and leaving toys about the place. We seem to link play which is creative with childish. Not fun, or exploration, which is vital in creativity. I play, and I play a lot. Be it games, with words, drawing physically or digitally, thinking, learning, etc.... Also, far too many people link creativity with success. You don't need to have a book published to be creative. You don't need to sell a painting to be creative. As soon as that pencil touches paper, you're being creative.

[@ssavaart]

This was such a wonderful and deep dive into creativity! Bravo, my friend.

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Thank you for being a part of this!

[@aliceaiken3162]

I've been accused of being addicted to art.

[@yennefer440]

Damn that's kind of inspiring

[@EvelynRobinson22]

I'm creative, but I have ADHD & anxiety and find it hard to start something or keep going with something. I joke that my hobby is buying supplies for hobbies, that I'll never use

[@lesleyegbert4807]

I'm in the same situation with ADHD, anxiety, and an unused collection of supplies. I've managed to change that, though. I find when I actually use my supplies, it's because there were limitations placed upon me. Example 1: Multiple cats are on my lap and I can only use the supplies that happen to be in reach. Example 2: I was visiting family and only had access to kids' Christmas coloring books and extremely dull colored pencils. There were no pencil sharpeners in the house, all the stores were closed, and the use of knives to sharpen pencils was forbidden by my host. The boredom was so excruciating I went forward anyway and out popped the most innovative, sketchy, arty, tastefully messy piece I've ever created. In a kids' coloring book! So find a way to reduce your options in the moment and see what happens.

[@raggedblossom508]

@@lesleyegbert4807 Not sure if I have ADHD, but I know I work best with limitations. I.e, create something with just these few colours, or with just these few supplies.

[@clarewillison9379]

Omg that’s me. I love preparing (was always great at setting up stuff: offices, studios, filing systems, kitchen, etc) and planning all the things I’ll do with/in them then exhausted when finished and no energy/idea to actually do a thing. Thank goodness I had clients/bosses who’d give me briefs and my brain would take off and soar again. I used to long for enough time to do stuff for fun again (like childhood) but my brain doesn’t work like that.

[@EvelynRobinson22]

@@lesleyegbert4807 great tip, thanks

[@moonlampje79]

I feel attacked by your comment. This is exactly how I am (not diagnosed with anything. Yet.)

[@katwags6773]

I had an amazing design teacher who would give us a project, then halfway through, he would tell us to make a "wrong" version of the project. The idea was to break whatever rules we had set in our heads as "right" for design. He wanted to encourage us to go back to that childhood creativity. It was amazing to have a space where we were given permission and encouraged try new things, without the worry of failure. In the class, often the "wrong" version would turn into the best version of that project. It definitely gave me gave me a new perspective on ways to be creative.

[@SarahRenaeClark]

I love this!! What a great teacher.

[@EllenTheArtist]

It's the lack of time. Doing boring jobs, time consuming undesirable work suffocate the creativity. I speak from my own experience..

[@emmawheeler4624]

i make myself do housework, little jobs, the ‘important’ things daily before i allow myself to do my art time, and quite often i’m too tired or in too much pain to do anything creative at all and just crash instead 😬

[@kimieatsu]

I’m currently using art in my healing journey to learn to stop being so afraid of life and living it the way I want to live.

[@canadiansquirrel5]

when sewing in high school I adjusted the pattern so that it would actually fit me, the teacher marked my garment lower telling me I didin't follow the pattern

[@lzal9204]

Ugh- well I hope you can see now how smart and brilliant that was.

[@AA-wc3tw]

What kind of illogical BS is that??? Sounds like your teacher knew how to go through the motions of following a pattern but didn't really KNOW HOW TO SEW.

[@montikarla]

My high school art teacher was an artist himself, and I feel like I was constantly being punished grade-wise because I didn't create projects he wanted me to create. I was lucky to get a 70% in his class at any time. It really messed me up and made me blocked. I am struggling to get through that even 22 years later. School left me traumatized on so many levels. My goals this year are focused on just allowing myself to play artistically and enjoy is, as well as working through some of the blocks that I have that keep holding me back. I have so many art and craft supplies and this year is the year I am going to play and try new things and enjoy it! Thank you for this video! I am sure I will come back and re-watch it several times this year.

[@lzal9204]

I’m glad you realized that it wasn’t you, it was the teacher. Do what makes you happy, not what someone else expects!

[@stroodledoodles]

In an age where creativity is either underappreciated or being exploited (whether it be by AI or greedy corporations) this video was such a breath of fresh air. It was so nice to see like minded people talk about how important it is, not just for artists but for everyone. So thank you for the hardwork!

[@Thia-saurus]

"break it!" probably an answer no adult would have given, but your son found an Enchanted Golden Apple in that broken box. Kudos to him, those are rare! 🍎

[@clarakokegei9593]

I'm a creative person. Yet I struggle to find my niche. So many interests

[@TemiDansoArt]

The queen of deep dives! I thoroughly enjoyed the way you broke this down, an hour went by so quick.

[@sandragordon1161]

Yes Sarah, I am a creative person. I guess I say this in a way that makes me sound very confident about myself. But this "believing in myself " came at a cost. At the age of 42 I was soaring! I was a senior accountant by day, and a ballroom dancer by night who taught at a dancing school and also took part in competition. But this is NOT what I consider to be my creative period! It was at this time in my life, along with my husband and 2 young children, I felt I had reached the pinacle of my creative journey in life. However this was not to be. On a sunny April morning on my way to the office I had an ichemic stroke. Suddenly my creative outlets were no longer available to me. After months of physio I was still considerable disabled; one issue being I could not use my left arm. At this time my children's school was holding a Christmas craft fair to raise money for a trip. I was determined to create something to contribute to this fair. With all my pain and disability, suffice it to say that I had one heck of a learning curve to overcome, but gradually, one day after another I self learned with books (there was no internet then!) how to paint, make miniature angel ornaments playing instruments; from violins to guitars, harps and cellos; In lace dresses with real hair, faces painted by me, some seated on benches made by me. I made and painted many other things... too many to mention or this comment would be much longer than it already is 😮 Fast forward to today; while still enjoying those creative achievements, I happened upon the KZbin channel and Facebook page of Sarah Renae Clark , where through her, I've learned to overcome my fears and challenge my creative side and dive into Adult Colouring with coloured pencil. And that is just the beginning! I now believe that creativity comes from allowing ourselves to explore no matter how big the challenge. I also believe that I am on a path with Sarah to create much more!! Yes Sarah! I now believe I am creative 😮😊❤

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Overflowing with ideas, and the squirrels and rabbit holes, super easy to over focus at times ...I love Scott, I made a decision to focus and make paint/draw, rather than photograph and travel vlog I feel better.

[@cajun_hawk]

Thank you for going in-depth about this topic!

[@SarahRenaeClark]

My pleasure!

[@cathyreed6180]

I am a very creative person. I just wish I had the money to be as creative as my mind is.

[@tararaboom]

After becoming a parent I realized much of why adults lack creativity is we are so stuck on the final result and how perfect it has to be that we don't explore and play with the idea first. I am often just talking to my young daughter about ideas, and silly situations and characters and riffing with her. She has taught me how to be more silly, freer and just have fun coming up with seemingly ridiculous ideas and not put pressure on myself for the final masterpiece. We have come up with so many fun characters and stories as a result. What's even more interesting and pretty much is confirmed when Sarah talks about ADHD and the brain networks. Most of the people I work with in game development that are super talented and creative have a form of ADHD. I was diagnosed just last year with ADHD (I'm almost 40)which explains my insane imagination and creativity that I never really grew out of but also the anxiety and stress that comes with trying to manage all the ideas. It's overwhelming because I struggle to juggle all the ideas and feel like a failure when I don't see them to fruition. My daughter likely also has ADHD which is why both myself and my husband both checked to see if we have it. Surprise we both do.

[@SarahRenaeClark]

I also think I have ADHD but have never been diagnosed. I’m in my 30s and intending to get a diagnosis soon! I wish I had considered it earlier, it would take off so many feelings of guilt around being “messy” or distracted.

[@tararaboom]

@SarahRenaeClark I have been on antidepressants most of my life for depression and anxiety and now I finally have a diagnosis I want to try to actually treat the adhd to see of I was actually treating the problem causing my depression and anxiety. I do find that now I have answers, I put less pressure on myself, and I am now just enjoying my art again Because I was seen as a gifted child, I was never seen as having anything wrong. Girls present so much more differently to boys, and I see much of me in my daughter. I'm happy that at least she might not have to go through what I went through and has the support she will need to thrive.

[@iiruniaalice1764]

i really like the format, and I really like the direction is going. The way you framed creativity makes so much sense, connecting the dots, building a human connection from chaos. It gives information, makes you think and challenges you to view of creativity in a different way. I hope that the risk you took on changing to this format pays out, and does resinate with people

[@thistle9080]

This is a wonderful video! I ALWAYS got in trouble for daydreaming in school (on the days I do repetitive activities at work now that I'm an adult, daydreaming has been a real soul saver! Take that, school system!) Unfortunately, life really does have a way of squashing creativity in most people. I have at least a hundred ideas I would love to create, but time is the issue. I now have a to-go easy to grab sketch bag and I will draw my own hand if it will keep the practice going. It helps more than I thought it would. Stay creative, folks! Thank you for this video!

[@moonlampje79]

My idea’s for the box: turn it into a cat toy, box with plants, storage for stationery, tea storage (for different tea flavors), a gift basket type of thing, display for figurines, mini bookcase, key box…. So many ideas

[@cathyreed6180]

And lastly, on working with others, I don’t really work well with the others. Like the old saying goes too many cooks spoil the stew and that’s so true. The reason I know this is because my homework class in high school I was paired with three other girls and one boy and nothing we made turned out right because each one was supposed to do a job and they didn’t do it. I trusted them to do the job right because I was in charge of the project, but some people don’t follow instructions they just do as they please and others just create chaos and talk all the time to you and you get distracted and you forget an ingredient that you were supposed to put into the recipe and your bread turns out to be a brick instead of a loaf or your cake turns out lopsided. From that time forward when I was in the kitchen cooking something or baking I did it by myself without others around me.

[@jlstotes]

This is such a fantastic video, I’m so excited for the direction that your channel is going in.

[@alexandrafutselaar1258]

For me high school did the opposite. Since everyone isolated me and telling me I was "anti-social" I found enjoyement in being creative. It helped me get away from the negativity and painful truths of the world. Of course a lot of teachers told me that I couldn't earn anything as a creative person. That I would be living out on the streets. Even hated art classes because of this jealous wannabe teacher. Though I went to do motion design and IT development and got the best of an artistic, creative and logical way of using my creativity. Only my depression started killing my creativity slowly. Wich I am slowly regaining.

[@shadowheartart3898]

Box! 🤩 It's a blank, empty box for me to go nuts on? *clears throat* - Turn into cat bed - Decorate the outside with either colours or objects (beads, gravel, sand, flowers, moss, whatever) - Make dividers in it, to store small stuff - Turn into tiny case with drawers and such - Turn into tiny herb garden (just needs water resistant lining) - Make it into wind chimes ... Or you can use it to store stuff in it 😂 Edit after watching the rest of the video: super interesting, and really well put together. Love the different takes from all the interviewed people. This must have been a massive project to undertake ❤

[@denisejames855]

Yes, I'm creative although in the past I thought not. I try new crafts, which don't always stay the course, and I stick with my favourites and try new techniques. I love new ideas but at times fail to act on them. I would decorate the box with colouring in paper and colour it then use it to store craft as I did for a compression stocking box which I then stored coloured pencils some time ago. I would cut and tear holes in for a cat hiding place, use as a splatter box for my messy things and punch some holes in it to use as a shoe box. I love your content and way of explaining things.

[@beckybanta126]

Hello Sarah! Your concept, research, sharing what you have been learning is BRILLIANT!! I will watch again to affirm my creativity. I have been a problem solver, but did not view as creative. Why not?!? Art wise, I get lost in paper & glue. Thank you for opening such an interesting door. I didn't want your video to end. Excited for the next one! Blessings. ☺️

[@laurenb9479]

Had to pause to say how excited I am for your explorations this year! Also, I thought of so many things for that box! Several ideas I have done before so probably why they were the first I thought of -- make a little guitar (cut a hole and use rubber bands around the box), dollhouse, robot, decorate to store things in, and more 😁

[@SarahRenaeClark]

I’ve made a guitar just like this in school!

[@theray1319]

I love your guitar idea. My first thought was to tap it like a percussion instrument but I posted my 2nd idea instead

[@jeme7339]

Even an art teacher said something was done wrong (as opposed to advice to improve new skills). Why is an art class even graded at all? Why is there a rule that a watercolour is to be signed only in pencil? If I am making art (for fun, presumably) why is my creativity being judged?

[@Arcadian-Nova]

THANK YOU,, this is something ive been saying non stop, this is what was one of the reasons i wanted to become an art teacher (before the academics to become one tore me down hehe) i also wanna mention: poor mental health is a creativity killer. from personal experience my most depressive episodes and my burn outs meant i made the least amount of art. famously there is the tortured artist myth but what we can see around is is that is often not Quite true. van Gogh is famously used as an example of this myth, but he made his most famous art pieces when he felt better, when he was activily trying to work on his mental health. i still very much notice my personal struggles with my mental health and neurodivergency can get in the way, but ive healed a lil bit since my burn out, and with my healing, my creativity came back little by little (with a lot of frustration of having to get back into the groove haha) creativity is part of is all, i was lucky my family encouraged me to keep making art when i was a child, and they still do as an adult (especially now that i m An Artist) and all my friends who are creative in their own ways, the artists, but also the gamers, and the dungeon and dragons players, the make up people, the manual laborers, the cooks and bakers, and therapists.... there are more professions and hobbies that can benefit from ones creativity.

[@bloodyuk8452]

So... I'm not a creative person, and for me it means that I don't see the "potential" of things. When I see a blank paper, I see a blank paper. When I look at the clouds, I see clouds, not shapes. When I look at a room, I see it as is, can't imagine how a different piece of furniture will look in it, or how different it will look if I'll organize the furnitures differently. I read a lot of books (fiction), ans I can't think "what will happen next". When I wait in line to see the doctor, I can't tell myself stories about the other people in the waiting room. Even as a kid, maybe I dabbled in art, but I never enjoyed it or drawn to it. Watching youtubers go through the "create this book" baffles me. For the life of me I can't think of one single idea for any of the prompts. I worked at a bar for many years, and could never think of trying to make a new cocktail, cuz I cannot imagine how different tastes will combine. So yeah, maybe it's a muscle that I "need" to flex, or maybe my creativity manifest in other ways (maybe?), but yeah, I stand behind my original statement - I am not a creative person (the way I think of creativity) None the less - this was an interesting video, I like this new direction of this channel

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Your story reminds me of aphantasia. I wonder if that’s similar to what is causing your struggles with creativity? And I wonder if there are ways to retrain your brain?

[@bloodyuk8452]

​@@SarahRenaeClark I heard about aphantsia only fairly recently, and I don't know if it's fully fits me, but if it's a spectrum, than I'm definitely closer to it than to hyperphantasia. When I read in a book that the character is in the kitchen, for example, I can have a mental image of a kitchen (specifically the kitchen in the house I grew up in 😅) but I can't imagine a new one, one that I haven't seen before. But that's a very good point, and it might really be connected, I never thought of that. I recently needed to buy black shelves, and I looked everywhere for something that I'll like, until a friend suggested that I'll buy white ones and paint them black. If it wasn't for him, I would never have thought of that simple solution. That's the type of things that I consider as a creativity that I'm totally lacking

[@clarewillison9379]

I like your writing, you expressed yourself and described your experiences so well that I could visualise and empathise about those situations. So I’d suggest that you are creative and your modus operandi is the written (and spoken?) word. Let yourself loose with a pen and/or a keyboard and do your thing xx

[@mirascraftycorner]

I‘m definitely a creative person and a style hopper. I always have to create, but I switch between different media and projects to keep the creative juices flowing. I’m also a primary school teacher and I love teaching art and music, but sometimes the class projects drain my creative energy that I go weeks and months without creating anything at home. But I love inspiring kids to be creative and try out new things. Watching KZbin videos and shorts of my favorite artists always give me a spark that wants me to pick up a brush again and paint and even though I may not have the energy, the idea of a project stays with me until I have the time and energy to create again

[@RebekahSue]

I had to walk away. Over and over as I watched, and after walking away, I hear my mom's voice telling me that she wasn't creative (yet she and my dad made three miniature human beings!), that she couldn't write (her blog was popular enough that I'm considering printing and binding it for my nieces, her granddaughters), that she couldn't take a good photograph with her Kodak 126mm camera (just... dead wrong), because relatives (who shall not be named because one is still living) told her so. It breaks my heart. She and my dad answered children's questions, found unique and creative gifts, chose personality-appropriate books and my mom took us to the Bookmobile, watched TV with us and talked about what we saw. She played the violin, spoke several languages, knitted and crocheted and embroidered. She did crosswords and logic/problem-solving puzzles; she taught her kids the term "out of the box" decades ago. She made our birthday cakes - granted, nothing as artful as people make at home today - and cooked while armed with the knowledge she gained from college chemistry. Your story of the cake baked at school with substitutions hurt me; I had cooking class in the early 1980s, when my mom would have thrown a fit and written a letter to the teacher if my experiment cost me a grade. I can go on. I probably will, because writing will give me a linear way to look at it as a whole. I think about journaling, but find that I enjoy doing the layout of my planner more than I do the whole Writing part of it. Nonetheless, I believe it would be a healthy outlet and I've got my planner. Also, I decided when I ordered my Jazza art bags that I would use their delivery as a diving board for re-learning to draw, which I was once pretty good at and which I enjoyed. I've heard wise counsel stating that one shouldn't wait, that one should just _do_ but I haven't been able to stick with a routine and, hey, I have a FedEx tracking number. I guess I'm dipping my toes into the water this week. Besides which, my husband has it in his head that he should bring my mom's desk up from the basement to our bedroom (and maybe bring up my dad's chair while he's at it) so I can write or draw while looking out at our yard, something that makes me happy all on its own. I found your channel 01/2023 when I was looking for direction on swatching. I subscribed though I can't remember if I found what I wanted through you. Your love of color makes me happy. I don't know if you have time to read all your comments, but on that off chance you do, I wanted to tell you that this video is overwhelming but in a good way that I'm going to harness. 😻

[@DieterPrivate]

Yes, everyone can be creative. It's hard though. As a highly creative person in the software space, it's hard to have your ideas and implementations being accepted by your peers, because they don't follow what they already know. They have a hard time even discussing it and trying to see how it works. It can bring a lot of stress, because if I just follow what others do, I get frustrated because I always see like 1000 ways of improving that way. It's like connecting those dots. I see so much connections and I love trying them all out, see what happens, and adjust where needed, or even go back to the drawing board when I'm not satisfied with the result. What I also see during job interviews etc. is that when I say I'm very creative, the response is that I'm like wrong, because lots of people don't think it's creative what I do. Thx for this video! Definitely gonna share this at work.

[@jellyfishbubbles2098]

My experience in school that had a negative impact on my creativity was not from the teachers or the rigidness of the curriculum, it was the other students. One instance that sticks out is in drama class. We were doing improve and the person I was assigned to totally turned down what I was doing by straight up saying "no"

[@SarahRenaeClark]

That’s rough.

[@lyndanickerson1373]

Thank you so much for this video Sarah and team I haven't felt really creative in a long time! This video gives me a better understanding of what I need to work on!

[@lucassarahlinn]

I love this new format. It's so nice to be able to spend the time to really deep dive on a topic.

[@ChantelleArts]

this is so important, thank you for sharing this with us ☺☺☺

[@jennifermilroy310]

Thank you! This video is so healing and encouraging

[@gemmaludvigh8108]

I find that day to day living interferes with my ability to be creative. Problem solving when urgent is easy for me. But a blank page never gets filled.

[@clarewillison9379]

I recognise that, it drives me crazy. Have you got ADHD by any chance? I used to get inspired by community apps like Paper by 53 but when they ended the community aspect I dried up soon after (also got injured and it hurt to draw so that didn’t help). Anyway, doing it for someone else or to compete (in a fun non-hostile non-zero-game way) seemed to work best. Waiting to recover enough to try again and I wish you loads of luck and - most of all - fun xx

[@Drawn_to_art]

The beginning of the video is so well put together; it gave me goosebumps. I'm so curious about the rest of the video, but I can already say it's going to be amazing.🎉❤

[@denorene16]

I don't think I am very creative person but I do remember sitting and drawing objects like the sewing machine my mother once owned and pictures from my school textbook. Oh, and coloring as a child.

[@kristin.1124]

Thank you so much for this video! It really picked up a lot of interesting parts of creativity. And the best part for me: you introduced me to Sam & all his fantastic channels & ideas & show. I'm soooo happy about it as he & his team are creative mastermind, I'd say 😁

[@jamielynn4187]

THANK YOU!! I needed this encouragement so much ❤

[@Xen_28]

Wow!! This is a whole ass documentary, great work!! I bet it took weeks to do this video, thank you for your time and dedication

[@ladyamalthea85]

I was thinking of writing a poem all over the box. I did also think of the puppet theatre idea. I've just started volunteering with my local library's creative classes and the amount of people who say "oh I'm not creative" and I always tell them the human brain is inherently creative. I read an interesting book about navigation last year, Dark and Magical Places by Christopher Kemp, in which he said the very act of catching a bus is a creative act, you have to select the right route, the right stop to get on and off at, observe the scenery to make sure you're in the right location and that use of Google Maps is diminishing that essential skill because we rely on the app to do that for us.

[@ginagriffin9097]

I am an art & DT (design & technology) teacher in England (11 to 18 years) and this really struck a chord with me. Schools are required to get results, as you can imagine this means we can be quite prescriptive and this limits the infinite possibilities that creative thinking without confines brings. This works for some students but I think for the majority it is incredibly prohibitive when it comes to creativity. Unfortunately, I feel that creativity (in many different scopes) is massively undervalued and this is a massive struggle for me.

[@franzsidney865]

As a hypnotherapist and an artist I see that we have a negative committee in our mind, that is often chattering about and putting us down when we try something. That committee is the sum of the experiences we had and how we perceived them, turning them into self judgement. Being creative means to Organise things, to think laterally and to solve problems. It’s not about getting an A level in Art history. Drawing is very much about observing, analysing, admiring a shape, a colour, something That perks our attention. We can all learn things like that. As for art teaching, many teachers don’t show you how to do anything, they just expect you to experiment and be free, at least in the U.K., and so if nothing comes to your mind, you are stuck. Sir Ken Robinson’s Ted talk ‘Does school kill creativity?’ Has millions of viewers for a reason. He was right. Following his talk, I homeschooled my children. One is becoming an artist, the other is traveling the world solo on a tall bike. 😊

[@jeme7339]

How many times does one wonder about a new way to do something, only to be told (by experts?), "That isn't how it's done; that won't work."? How many good ideas are swept away by telling children not to wonder?

[@user-wu9du5nz9s]

As a neuropsychologist and a beginner artist, I loved this video! I especially enjoyed the level of detail you went into whilst being clear and accessible. Feeling inspired! I’m going to check out those links you posted and your colour cube too, thank you

[@clarewillison9379]

This was great. Thank you so much and thank you all of the wonderful contributors for your wisdom and advice. I’m inspired and encouraged x

[@robyn3069]

Thanks for making this video, its something I needed to hear, and I bet a lot of others do to. I always was called creative by others, but never felt I could define myself that way because I didn't produce the kind of results as other artists and writers I wished I would live up to. but remembering when I was a child, it was so easy to create, and to be proud of myself and make things, for no other person but myself. I am still that child, and I can still create just for me.

[@thesleeplessspook]

I'll argue that sometimes we conflate not being a creative person with lacking motivation and energy towards creating. Sometimes the drive, ideas, imagination and inspiration are there, but not the willpower to actually put effort into making those elements a reality, so it's easy to assume we're not creative as an adjective because we're not CREATING as a verb. We live in a very fast-paced, stress-soaked, and sleep-deprived world that's become over-complicated with technology, obligations, instant gratification, and constant distractions which all serve as a poison to living simply and quietly. It's a challenge to take our time to grow our creativity in the gentle and natural way it should be nurtured when we're being bombarded with things that exhaust us. Dichotomously, I'll also argue that we equate creativity with productivity, that we feel 'less than' unless we make something or meet some kind of personalized ETA on a project. I think this is also a flawed assumption because being creative and artistic can often be a very meditative process, which is the entire reason so many of us need peace, quiet and solitude to get into the 'zone' of creating. Just the concept of attaching volume to success in our creative journeys dumps all that stress I was talking about into our buckets which, in turn, promotes a lack of motivation when we can't fulfill our own expectations. I like that this video addresses how children create, and why that should be protected to safeguard their imaginations for when they're older. I suspect a child's method of creation is the one we should return to as adults, where there's no prep, no stress, no expectations, etc.. Children sit down at a table with crayons at a moment's notice and they just ARE. Their art just allows them to BE. In their simplicity, there's a lot of wisdom and I think we need to relearn what we knew when we were children.

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Some really good thoughts here!

[@Liz-sy7iu]

Well said. I think we need to go and play like children in parks and play centres. I've had so much fun doing those things.

[@sarahta1984]

This is my favorite video of yours I’ve ever watched. This is great and I probably should watch it one a quarter at least. Thank you for all of the effort and research and thoughtfulness you put into this.

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Wow, thank you!

[@edenmanera]

Didn't look a the comments before, but here's my list of ideas for using the box : - use it as a storage box for underwears by cutting out one of the sides and using it to make dividers inside - a bed for my cat - cut out the faces and fold them to make a very large envelope, to store drawings without having to fold them thanks to the hardness of the cardboard - cut one of the sides, put a fabric inside, cut holes of different sizes on the top side to make a brush box when you don't know where to put them to dry and maybe more but that's it for 30 sec !

[@J.5in]

This is the bestest video I've ever found on KZbin about creativity. I myself am working in a creative industry and try to spread the word to kids and their parents about how creativity is so important in any profession you can think of. I myself collect data on this but this video is just a huge resource for that.

[@TheDaisytails]

Our society/culture crushes creativity. Our rules and government decide how many hours per week we must work to get health insurance. And it is pre-decided how much we get paid per hour (for most working adults). We are burdened with the cost of living even if we live minimal (and work multiple jobs). We live in fear that our car will break and we won't be able to afford to fix it. Or our health coverage won't cover a life needed care. We can't afford dental care, or eye exams. Most of us can''t even take off a sick day. It is really difficult to set aside these devastating concerns to play with paper or paint. Maybe someday our country will learn from other countries and re-adjust our social policies so people have more time and happiness to be creative.

[@theapatheticcontrarian]

I see "Creative" as being somewhat unorthodox. Like Creative thinking is typically explained as thinking outside the box. And "Creative people" tend to be described as "messy" but I don't know if I'm just gaslighting myself but while my room and workspaces may seem "messy" there does tend to be some semblance of organisation, just a chaotic one 😂. My grandad said once that I wasn't "messy" I was creatively organised 😅 which I took as that I'm organised in an unorthodox way, in a way that makes sense to me. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@shadowheartart3898]

Good job, grand-dad. Creatively organized ❤

[@RuztyNails33]

This was so incredible and inspiring. As both parent and aspiring creator fighting imposter syndrome this opened my eyes in so many ways, thank you!

[@gemmaludvigh8108]

I admire your courage to do what you do. Good for you and your team! Thanks for the opportunity to learn about what it means to be creative 😊

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Thank you!

[@cassiadee]

I love this so much!

[@angelarollins9748]

Fantastic video! Really enjoyed it and learned a lot from. Am I a creative person? Hell yeah! Even working in retail I can have moments to be creative, for an example making a section look nice by organising the colours of the products. Love your videos as always xx

[@artubevibes12]

amazing video as usual, really inspired me a lot

[@ColoringByEly]

Loved this video❤❤❤ good information!

[@daliacat3396]

Great video! Very inspiring for the start of the year. I am creative but I am more creative in my accounting job than my painting or card design. In my accounting world I can visualize creative solutions with almost no outside input. In art I normally need a lot of references to get from idea to final product or to even help me come up with ideas. I found school informative. It told me how things work, which then opened the possibility of knowing how to create within let’s say the laws of nature. Trigonometry and calculus were some of the most beneficial to me. Not because I remember the formulas but I learned to problem solve. The majority of my creativity was growing up on a farm. It was like a hallmark special every year trying to make it work (but with out good looking neighbors). My dad regularly involved us on being creative to solve problems. Creativity is being fearless

[@R.M.MacFru]

Uses for the box: Decorate the outside and inside make compartments so its a travel jewery case, or a travel craft case. Use colored pipe cleaners and make it into King Kong. Turn it into a "piggy bank" of sorts by making the outside look like a bank vault.

[@theherbalbeecottage]

I love love love this! As a previous art teacher recognizing creativity in ourselves is so important! Believing in ourselves and that we are creative is half the battle. Failure isn’t a thing. We are constantly learning. When we do “fail” we are in the middle of a learning process. We just need to give ourselves a chance and encourage others to do the same. I’m so excited to try something new and give my channel a chance!

[@SarahRenaeClark]

I think the same things about failure ❤️

[@bellissimoa]

This is great. Thanks.

[@SilentTrip]

thank you for putting all thoughts about creativity into words I will come back to this video regularly to remind myself what creativity really is

[@JayofallTrades]

I was always told i was creative by alot of people. I went to art school and my professors loved my work. I feel like creativity to me is being able to create something from a perspective that noone else would and turn it into something bright and colorful. I've won various awards for my creativity and out of the box thinking. A good book for creativity is drawing on the right side of the brain. It has you use the creative part of your brain to draw something different. Like drawing something upside down so your perspective is skewed. One of my favorite creators is aly spagnoli. She makes music, art, and outrageous fun things noone else would think of.

[@SolveigJeromin]

When I was in primary school, maybe in the 3rd or 4th grade, I had to write an essay. I don't know the exact topic anymore, but I remember the fact that I wrote something about sunbeams being visible in a certain situation. My teacher, who was an old lady and quite oldfashioned in her way of teaching, gave me a bad mark and wrote a harsh sentence beneath my essay, that sunbeams aren't visible at any time and I should stop telling fairytales in an essay. Even today, almost 40 years later, every time that the sun breaks through thick layers of grey clouds in small spots and I can see those beams of sunlight pointing down on a dull landscape, I still think of her and tell her (sometimes loud, I must confess) that sunbeams ARE visible indeed! Maybe teachers like this one and other adults around me stopped me from being as free and creative as I was as a child and made me become the perfectionist I am now. I struggle a lot with being creative in an arty way because I always want to be perfect in everything I do - by now, of course! ;o) But as you, Sarah, always mention, being creative is not being perfect and producing perfect results. So, after seeing this new video, I decided again "to stretch my creative muscles" and practice the things I want to be good at and get better while trying. Thanks for this encouraging video, Sarah. I appreciate the effort and work of you and your team, and I accept the fact that producing something like this takes you much more time than the videos before. But I am looking forward to your next one impatiently. ;o) (Sorry to all native speakers for my English. I'm from Germany and didn't have much practice in putting my thoughts into written sentences in this language in recent years. Just listening to songs and watching videos doesn't help at that point, I'm afraid. )

[@SotaliaTucuxi]

I feel like I'm a creative person, but I get bogged down with perfecting projects. Somehow, I need to figure out how to just let go.

[@arianebarnes]

I've been thinking about this from a top down position. In short, between modernism and post-modernism practically every human trait has been broken down and found "not worthy" of importance with two exceptions: 1. creativity which leads to art, and 2. curiosity which leads to science. We humans by our very nature are good at both naturally, we just need training and practice to become great at both. Obviously, there are too many sciences to master in our lifetime. But there are also certainly too many "arts" to master in our lifetime as well. That triggers a mindset is probably what keeps people thinking they are not creative, and unfortunately also thinking they are incapable of creativity. Everyone is capable of imagining creative ideas, not everyone is capable of realizing those ideas without learning some kind of medium first. Watched your video with all this in mind, and it more or less confirmed my ideas about creativity. We are all creative! Thank you.

[@rachel_espinoza]

I have autism, so creativity comes easy to me. Even though having autism can be challenging especially in socializing, it’s given me a child like sense of wonder my NT peers don’t seem to have anymore. It’s an umbrella and I understand some people on the spectrum may not consider themselves very artistic, but it does for me. At least, for some things like coloring. I’ll agree with a lot of comments I see here, the biggest reason for adults not being creative is that we’re told imagination and play are taboo and childish. Society tells us to put those away for working and paying bills. And, we get so used to that rule, we overthink and become perfectionists with creativity.

[@Arcadian-Nova]

omg one of the reasons i wasnt diagnosed with autism bc i am an artist.... which felt so weird to me.

[@carolbydesign]

I think creativity is hard for most people because at a certain point in childhood children are discouraged from using imagination. Like your told, stop day dreaming, be serious, "crazy" ideas aren't real, grow up, your art (or whatever) is a waste of time, and so on. Most little kids are creative, with limitless imitation, but as you grow, that imitation is squashed out of you. I mean think about it, a 2 year old can create an imaginary friend, but when you start school, you have to give that friend up, to fit in, and if you have imaginary friend at 30 years old....well you scare society...lol. Also I think kids don't fear painting a purple winged hippo, they don't think about being judged or misunderstood, adults do, so it takes a brave adult to let their creativity flow and be exposed.... I don't know, that's just my thoughts from having worked with kids, being a kid and now being an adult now...

[@marcellek]

Sarah, I am so glad that you defined what the word creative means. I think too often it is applied to the arts. My husband is a pastor and he is creative with his sermons. I have a work collegue who is a creative genius when it comes to using Excel. Just because you don't have or seem to have an artistic bent, doesn't mean you aren't creative. Find out what brings you joy and create! Thanks for another awesome video!

[@kitwyatt7287]

Thank you for this video. I really enjoyed it. It left me feeling quite inspired and I shared it in a writer’s group that I’m part of as well.

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@cathyreed6180]

And also about the creativity in children, sometimes are squashed by the parents because they kept saying you can’t do that you won’t make no money from it. You need a real job and honestly if you get told enough times, you can’t do something cause you’re not good enough at it or some other reason you begin to believe what the person says.

[@capricornartist]

I AM SOOO EXCITED TO SEE YOUR NEW VIDEO!!!!! AND 1 HOUR???!!! 😁

[@lesleyegbert4807]

My idea for the box: My first instinct was to put undulating swoops of vibrant color all over the outside, then place some super boring thing inside, all grays and tans. You know that color that every computer used to be in the late 80's and early 90's? That color. The box would look exciting to open and then everyone would be crestfallen and somewhat puzzled afterward. The Underwhelm Express, if you will.

[@silverhoney6969]

I could write a novel in response to a lot of the great conversations and questions you posed! But just one for now- creativity & school. And the adults in the school & parents absolutely has so much to do with if you grow and foster your creative abilities or they get squashed and boxed. I was so blessed that my middle, high school and colleges all exposed me to teachers who celebrated creativity within the academic courses and esp my highschool- the high achieving academics were ALSO the artists / theater and ALSO did sports . Such a well rounded and all inclusive type of learning . My most favorite and celebrated class projects or reports were the ones I got to be creative : I did a true Japanese tea ceremony for a history class, I built a three dimensional cathedral from actual blueprints that I got to choose, we built a catapults from PVC pipe. I got to study an internship working at a funeral home in did your long projects based around it. Hime ec class let me film a cooking TV show. I got to cook with flowers and made homemade ice cream out of hibiscus. I learned how to paint, fake marble and fake wood and build theater sets. But I also excelled and got A’s all of the academic classes too . The classes where they let you pick what you want to explore were the best. All the science classes we made things - chemistry, biology we made a terrarium of local life, I actually learned how to draw better & details from my biology class drawing what we see in microscope! So I was so blessed to have these teachers who knew how to teach creativity and Critical thinking skills

[@raggedblossom508]

Brilliant topic, Sarah, you presented it beautifully. ❤ I did art in high school, and the students who were particularly innovative were told to dumb it down in their assessment and exams, as they would be exceed the required level and be marked down. We had a good teacher, she apologised, and it was a grim lesson as to what awaited us in the 'real' world.

[@Bazookatone1]

I always get told I'm creative and I always say I'm not, I'm crafty, I like to follow a pattern or colour in a colouring book. I decided to push myself this year and I'm doing a watercolour painting class. I'm feeling like a fraud when the others talk about artists they like or exhibitions they've seen, but, you know what, I did a half decent watercolour painting this week

[@AA-wc3tw]

I want so much to draw and paint, to be creative and to express myself through these media. But I can't draw at all, just trying to make myself doodle or trying to learn and practice gives me so much anxiety that I cannot "enjoy the process" because I know I can't do anything of value, and I am unhappy with my efforts 100% of the time because I just plain suck. It's also super discouraging to know that I'm going to have to practice for years and years before I will be able to produce anything I can be remotely happy with. Therefore I have no motivation and I do nothing. And that stresses me out, too, because the logical part of me understands that everyone starts from nothing, and everyone has to practice the skill in order to improve. I find it difficult to force myself to work on a hobby that I know will disappoint me, that isn't fun, that isn't validating. I recognize that part of the reason I want to draw and paint is for someone, anyone to validate/praise/recognize me--and I also recognize that this is a very wrong reason to do anything (hobby, job, etc.). My partner pointed out that praise and validation causes motivation. I recently painted a lovely paint-by-number and donated it to a charity auction. When I tried to donate it the first time, I was told to "leave it in my car and bring it another time". My partner pointed out how discouraging that is, that no one even wanted to see what I had worked on and completed, and I got very little recognition/praise/validation from something that took me a lot of time to create, something that I was proud of even though it wasn't my original work of art. All this makes me wonder if perhaps art/creativity is NOT for me. If I want something badly enough, shouldn't I have the desire to do it? And isn't the converse true that: if I have no desire to do it, that means I don't want it badly enough? All my googling about this problem leads me to two conclusions: 1) I should force myself to plow through the anxiety/discouragement and teach myself to draw and accept that it will probably take me 10 years to learn, or 2) "what did you enjoy/do most as a kid? That's your hobby." I read. All I did was read. So therefore my main hobby should be reading. Reading is lovely, but where is that going to lead me? Nowhere. I no longer consider myself a "creative person". I can't come up with anything, I can't produce anything, I can't create anything. This causes me so much anxiety, pain, and disappointment. I don't know what to do. I just want to do something meaningful, something that gives me joy and pride. I just want a little validation and recognition. I just want to feel less invisible. I forgot to mention that I have a Bachelor's in Studio Art with an emphasis in ceramics. As soon as I graduated, I never touched clay again. (Honestly, it was a very easy degree, and I had no clue what I was doing in college. That's another can o' worms entirely.) I don't share this info with people anymore because it has become very embarrassing. People expect an Art Major to create art, to have something to show for it. And I don't.

[@ThePreppingArtists]

It’s crazy but like 10 years ago I thought I had no creative bone in my body but now I feel like I’m over flowing with creativity lol

[@Bmac7961]

I am creative, because I create things. I cook, clean/organize, draw, paint, read, write, problem solve. It doesn't apply to just art. And your creativity wont always be "beautiful" but it will always be inspired by what your life needs.

[@melveille496]

I love this! So much good information and very well presented. I am a creative person but I lack discipline to practice consistently and improve as much as I want and my anxiety means I'm afraid of rejection and taking risks... It is a balancing act for me... and when I think about creativity I always get the follow-up question: Do I keep my creativity as a hobby or try to make a living at it?

[@Liz-sy7iu]

Absolutely brilliant Sarah. 🎉🏅🥇 As a kid I would make clothes for my doll - by sewing and knitting - and create house designs. And daydream! I went on to teach maths (bad mistake) at the highest level. I had to be creative to relieve my boredom. None of my recipes are ever the same. Most of the time I don't know where my ideas come from. I just blurt them out. 8 years ago I joined an art class, and I discovered my real passion- playing with as many art materials that I can afford! This morning, I was very depressed and watching this has given me inspiration and motivation to return to my coloured pencil drawing. Thank you.

[@claowue]

Great video which I had to watch step by step because of this and that. But in the end I finished watching it. It was great and gave some insight into creativity and stuff 😅 👍

[@addie1056]

Just about to cozy up and watch this, I’m realising I scrolled past the video a couple of times, I thought it was some kind of advertisement for some reason, just thought it might be helpful to mention that! Looking forward to the watch :) x

[@addie1056]

Fantastic video! Loved it! Find it quite valuable as a parent, makes me more aware of needing to nurture creativity in my young child. Thanks again

[@theapatheticcontrarian]

I'd use the box to make a hidden book nook, they're like little things you tuck between your books on a bookshelf that when opened reveal a little world, kinda like a diorama. I'd probably pick a scene/setting from one of my favourite books such as one of the rooms inside Manderley from Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier or the tea party scene from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@jeme7339]

I think creativity is activated by using one's imagination. Even listening to an audio book and seeing images in one's mind is creative. Planning a project and finishing it, as well as not having a plan but playing with supplies to see what happens, involve creativity. Being excited to explore is creative. Making up new jokes is creative. Having a sense of humor is creative. What is your definition?

[@tracyvis2101]

Imagination = creativity and we all have an imagination! The problem for me is that I struggle to turn mine off. Thoughts and ideas are flowing through my brain 24/7 which makes it hard to work sometimes. This was very interesting!

[@emilygibson3518]

I loved this video! So informative, fun, and it really made me think about the world. I think this video was a great idea and I will definitely share this with my family and friends. 😍

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@amilena_wyamesart]

Wonderful video. There was definitely an encouragement for me to pursue my interests in writing and art but... as a hobby, because "you can't make a living with them"

[@jeme7339]

Dollhouse. Make it look like a stack of books (secret storage). A doll's wardrobe or dresser. A pinhole camera. A very small bookcase. Put in the blender with water to make sheets of paper. Plant seedlings...

[@michaelhany540]

How amazing is your creativity

[@MissDarkend]

Thank you lovely lady for the class in colour theory at Shepparton today. 😊

[@salrynn]

I... I would probably try and surround it with something to be honest, I've been really getting into crochet recently and I just really want to try and surround it with yarn that I crochet