“The path of creativity doesn’t lie in restrictive and contained practices -
it lies in being free and instinctive.”
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RULES. We have to have them, but do we always love them? Do we even really think about them? And how do they impact our creativity?
This month’s Creative Thinking theme will make you think more about the rules you live by, and how they impact your creativity (positively or negatively!).
So first of all, let’s go back in time. Think of yourself as a kid, doing some kind of ‘art’ at school. What are the rules you abided by or believed?
Don’t colour outside the lines.
Make it as accurate as possible.
Stay on the ‘mess mat’ or you’ll get in trouble.
Don’t mix the paints!
We ‘do art’, and therefore creativity, only at set times dictated by the school timetable.
Of course, I’m perhaps being a bit stereotypical, and I’m sure not all of these rules were applied in all situations, but often we are given ‘rules’ - and abide by them - without even knowing. And if we don’t follow them, we’re ‘naughty’.
There is much that I could say about this topic - I’m sure it runs deep for many of you, and I could write a book about it rather than a few (hopefully) ‘easy to read’ emails.
But the aim of these emails is to make you THINK. And to THINK DIFFERENTLY to how you’ve thought before. Because when you do, creativity happens (and a whole load of magic!).
So your creative thinking prompts for this week are as follows:
Creative Thinking Prompts (w/c 6 May 2024)
When you do anything this week, consider whether it is because of a rule that you’re following.
If so, is that rule perfectly valid and put in place for a very good reason? Is it an ‘unwritten rule’ which you’ve never really thought about before? Or is it something which could be broken and would be beneficial to do so?
Creatively-speaking, do you have set rules that you live by? (The first one might be ‘I’m not creative therefore I don’t do creative things.” or something you believe you're 'not good at’ so you never even try?)
Do you feel restricted by creative rules or are they comforting? Are you someone who loves a blank page of paper, or someone who needs ‘guidance’? (Both are ok by the way!)
Would you feel more liberated if you were less restricted by rules, or would you be totally freaked out?
By first reflecting on and questioning how you behave when faced with rules, you’ll be in a great place to think about those particular creativity rules which perhaps have been restricting you in the past.
“Creativity means learning where the rules exist, and then breaking them! Saying, ‘It’s better this way.’ But you have to know the rules in order to break them with any grace.” – Alan Arkin
But, I do believe that there is value in knowing the rules, understanding when and where they have value and worth, and why.
I love this quote in an article I found on LinkedIn, written by Robotic Journey:
“True creativity lies in breaking rules with intention, vision, and elegance. It’s about innovating with confidence and flair, while also respecting the logic behind the rules. This fine balance of challenge and respect is indeed the art of creativity.”
“A fine balance of challenge and respect.” I think that hits the nail on the head.
Rules in one sense should (usually) be respected, but that doesn’t mean we can’t challenge them.
So this week, question your conformity to rules. Think about whether your creativity is stifled because of them, or whether it is actually the opposite in some cases, and the rules in fact help your creativity?!
I’d love to know any thoughts you have on this!
P.S. “Pudding is only ever eaten AFTER your main meal.” How about that for a rule? Any thoughts?!
Or ‘You need a drawing implement to draw.” - what do you think? If drawing is simply mark-making, what else could you use to create a mark? (Some of you who came to one of my Vision-Boarding Workshops will have done this exercise already. I supplied many different ‘objects’ which made marks on the page!
See the pic below - yes a plastic fork and orange peel were indeed used to make ‘marks!’ - happy days hey, Sally & Lauren?! ❤️ 🤣)
“Wonder makes us more creative and more desirous of studying the world around us. It makes us humble, less materialistic, more generous, and better community members… Wonder makes us less stressed and feel like we have more time… Wonder quite simply makes us want to be better, more tolerant people.”(Parker, 2023)
