DEFEATING THE CREATIVITY DECLINE BY ELLIE FIESSINGER

Many of us have learned in our creativity/entrepreneurship classes, that creativity is not inherited, not learned, but that it is unlearned.  I recall hearing this for the first time about three years ago in one of my first Farmer classes, and it really resonated with me and my experiences.

Growing up, I was always considered by myself and others as a fairly creative kid.  Reflecting on some of the projects I was a part of, whether driven by a school organization or myself, I’m almost a bit disappointed in myself with how apparent my decline in creativity has been.  

For example, since the beginning of grade school, I had been building homes with the most random materials I could get my hands on and working out thorough details for the lives of my Polly Pocket dolls.  My love for fashion also began to show as I made shirts for my teddy bear out of the sleeve cuffs of my dad’s old button downs.  My riskiest and most successful creative/entrepreneurial pursuit: starting a business sewing & selling fabric flower-shaped hair accessories in middle school…how was I so unafraid of failure back then?  Where has that ambition and creative energy gone? 

Before heading out into the real world, I challenge myself (and everyone!) to dig deep for that child-like curiosity and playfulness we all once had.  Bring novelty, risk, failure, and play back into the forefront of our creative mindsets and defeat the creativity decline.