“I’m not Creative” & Other Myths

How many times have you heard someone say, “I’m just not creative”? Maybe you’ve said it yourself. The phrase rolls off the tongue with surprising ease - as if creativity is some rare talent bestowed on a chosen few. Artists. Designers. Writers. Musicians. Not me. Not you. Sound familiar?

But here’s the truth: we’re all creative - you, me, and even the person who says they can’t draw a stick figure. Creativity is less about oil paints and grand symphonies and more about asking questions, solving problems, expressing ideas, and finding new ways to look at the world.

This article explores some of the biggest myths about creativity, how they show up in our personal and professional lives, and what we can do to (re)spark our own creativity.

Part 1: The Creativity Myths (And Why They Persist)

Let’s debunk some myths and, as you read through them, reflect on the ones you believe to be true and how they might be limiting you. 

Myth 1: "I’m Not Creative."

Reality: You’re creative every time you adapt a recipe, rearrange furniture, resolve a conflict, or tell a story. Creativity is about bringing something new into being - it isn’t limited to certain forms of art.

Myth 2: Creativity Is an Inborn Talent.

Reality: While some people may have an early inclination toward creative pursuits, creativity is a skill you can develop, like strength, or balance. It grows with use.

Myth 3: Creative People Are Eccentric or "Different."

Reality: Creativity doesn’t require you to be quirky, tortured, or live in a loft filled with abstract sculptures - though, of course, you can do if that’s your vibe. It shows up in all shapes, colours, sizes, etc. 

Myth 4: You Have to Be Original.

Reality: Most ideas are inspired by something else. Remixing, reinterpreting, and building on what came before is still creativity. Just try not to be a total copycat!

Myth 5: Creativity Has to Look a Certain Way.

Reality: Creativity can look like spreadsheets, strategic plans, party planning, or system design. If you think, feel, or do outside the box in any part of life, you’re being creative.

Part 2: Reconnecting with Your Creative Self

The good news? Creativity is already inside you. It may be buried under self-doubt, societal expectations, or burnout - but it’s there. Here are some ways you can reignite your creative spark:

1. Redefine Creativity for Yourself: How would you define creativity in a way that speaks to you? How about: “creativity is curiosity in motion”? 

2. Pay Attention to What Lights You Up: What do you love to do, even if you’re not “good” at it? What do you lose time doing? Follow that spark.

3. Make Space for Play: Creativity thrives in low-stakes, judgment-free environments. Doodle. Daydream. Try finger painting. Let yourself play without purpose.

4. Silence the Inner Critic: Remind your inner critic that you don’t require its protection right now. Thank you, we’re good. We don’t have to be perfect to participate.

5. Surround Yourself with Creativity: Read, listen, look. Go to a gallery, watch a documentary, borrow someone else's lens. Inspiration is everywhere. And the more creative work you take in, the more you feed your own well.

6. Practice, Practice, Practice: Make it a habit, not a moment. Creativity builds when we return to it often - not when we wait for inspiration to strike like lightning.

7. Collaborate and Share: Creativity doesn’t have to be solo. Bouncing off ideas, co-creating, or simply showing your work can remind you that creativity likes company.

Part 3: My Creativity (Re)Awakening

I used to think creativity meant being an artist. And, truth is, I wanted to be one. But, because I didn’t see myself in that world, I dismissed the creative parts of me. Back then, I was a corporate gal and didn’t see anything creative in or around me. 

But there were loads. All the slides I enjoyed perfecting, the corporate events I loved shaking up, and the team meetings ideas I came up with - that was creativity! At one point, my team started calling me “the ideas machine”. 

And so began my creative reawakening. Along the way, I began to realise how much I missed creating! Not for a project or an outcome, but just for me. I started small - noticing the ways I was already embracing creativity and introducing new ones. It wasn’t about being “good” at these things. It was about feeling alive.

And slowly, something softened. I felt more present. More curious. More willing to try things, to fail, to learn, and to enjoy the process. That, to me, is creativity.

Conclusion: You Are Creative - No Exceptions

You don’t have to become someone else to be creative. You just have to notice the creativity that already lives within you and let it breathe a little. So the next time you hear yourself say, “I’m not creative”. Pause. Ask: Who told me that? And what might change if I didn’t believe it?

Because creativity isn’t about being right, polished, or impressive. It’s about being open, expressive, and uniquely you.

Visit our Creative page to find out more and schedule a discovery call to help you and/or your team reconnect with your creative voice.