My updated Instagram bio includes “curious about creativity“. That phrase is fast becoming my new theme song.

What is creativity?

Over the last several months, I’ve been exploring creativity. It has many facets. Writing, drawing, speaking, playing, and much more. Creativity is something we define for ourselves. It’s a personal adventure with ideas and expression.

Yet, it’s also something we’ve forgotten how to explore. Our formal education, societal expectations, general busyness, and other outside factors box in our creativity. We doubt our creativity. Worse, we lose sight of its importance. Maybe even its existence.

What’s there to explore?

All of these observations have made me curious about creativity. I’ve been reading academic studies, following TikTok creators, and guiding my own students through creativity exercises. The more I learn, the more curious I become.

With so much to explore, I find that my definition constantly expands. It feels as though the big bang popped in my brain! While the central theme of creativity is solid, I see wisps of related ideas that  capture my attention. At first, it seemed like chaos. Now, I think it’s chaos theory in action.

I haven’t seen everything – yet?! – but I am starting to see patterns in the information. And I’m excited to follow those patterns for meaning. To do that, I am redirecting my attention with the intention of satisfying my curiosity about creativity.

Here’s an example: Last Tuesday, I was driving home after teaching a lecture-lab for my content planning class. Seemingly for the first time, I saw the #14 bus – a legendary route in Vancouver. While I’ve never ridden this route, I had seen the play, The Number 14, back in 2009. The imagery from that play sticks with me today.

That’s creativity in action. I seek a better understanding of how that works and what it means.

Why be curious about creativity?

The few friends I’ve shared my new curiosity with have asked if this is my next book. My answer is cryptic: Not at this time but, maybe, one day. These ideas feel bigger and brighter than anything I’ve written before. I need time to follow my curiosity and see where it takes me.

Now is my opportunity to enjoy the journey.

I’ll be sharing the journey here on my (oft neglected!) blog. I, also, hope to put a spotlight on creative minds along the way. For more, follow along on my TikTok and Instagram. It’ll be fun, I promise!