By Lynn Bunnell, M.S. ED., CTRS, CADC for Wellness Reproductions & Publishing, LLC
As a recreation therapist working with clients with mental health and/or chemical dependency issues, I have the wonderful opportunity to use a variety of modalities, limited only by my imagination and creativity. Often, I ask group members to experience and participate in activities that may not fit their expectations of what therapy "should" be. For many, this can be a fun experience as they explore new ways of self-expression. For others, it can provoke feelings of anxiety and initial resistance to different approaches, such as the use of art. Often, clients may be self-critical, telling me they are not creative to avoid a particular technique or modality. Yet dealing with these reactions is both fun and challenging for me. In this article I will explore what creativity is, examine the common barriers to it, and offer ideas on how it can be encouraged. The ultimate goal of this article is to convince you that all human beings are creative and to illustrate how you can help your clients to explore and nurture their own creativity.
How do we define creativity? Many of us hold a limited view that looks at creativity as occurring when we are performing or producing a tangible product. I like to think of creativity as a much larger concept that incorporates a process. Amy Dacyczyn, author of The Tightwad Gazette, Promoting Thrift As A Viable Alternative Lifestyle (1992), decided she wanted to be a stay-at-home mother, but needed to find ways to save money to make up for the lack of a paycheck. She came up with many ideas in which a person could save money and shares these strategies in her book. She also examines the concept of creativity in her book, stating (p51), "Creativity is nothing more or nothing less than solving a problem in an original way." She adds, "When there is a lack of a recognized outlet, such as writing, art, or music, creativity goes unnoticed." She points out that all of us have this spark and gives examples that we take for granted, such as when we speak and combine words to express our thoughts. Our creativity may also be demonstrated when we adapt a recipe because we`re missing an ingredient or when we come up with a new strategy for addressing a problem with a co-worker. Dacyczyn takes away the mysticism that creativity is a gift for a few.
When discussing the concept of creativity with my colleagues, several of them suggested that there is a spiritual element. I agree and like to think of the word recreation as re-creation. I believe that when we are recreating and doing something we feel passionate about, we are re-creating and discovering different parts or sides of ourselves that we may not be in touch with often. Experiencing these different parts of ourselves helps us feel more connected with ourselves, with others, and with our Higher Power. Another benefit of understanding that we are creative is that it helps us get "unstuck" when we realize that there are multiple solutions to any problem. One of my colleagues, Judy LaCoste, gave a simple yet eloquent definition, "Creativity is expression of self without walls." When we view creativity in this light, it becomes apparent that everyone possesses this gift. Clearly, a lack of understanding of what creativity is is one of the main reasons why many people don`t recognize it in themselves.
Another common barrier to creativity occurs when we`re told our ideas are "wrong," and we feel squelched. Harry Chapin’s song, "Flowers are Red," from his album, Living Room Suite, tells the story of a young boy who was punished by his teacher because he wanted to paint flowers all the colors of the rainbow. His teacher told him, "Flowers are red, young man, and green leaves are green..." Eventually the boy agreed with the teacher in a resigned way, his spirit broken. Later he had another teacher who encouraged him to paint flowers in all the colors of the rainbow. His response to her was, "Flowers are red, and green leaves are green. There`s no need to see flowers any other way than the way they always have been seen." The boy had believed that his ideas were wrong and even when given an opportunity to try it a new way, he was only able to parrot the negative messages he received. The message in this song is a testament to the power words or judgment can have on creativity.
Stress is also a barrier to creativity. When our clients or we are stressed, our creativity may become blocked because we are so focused on a particular problem or crisis. This is especially common amidst depression, when concentration may be poor and it is a struggle to get through each hour or day. In addition, when we feel pressure to perform, we can feel less creative. Other obstacles to creativity clients have identified include:
- low confidence
- not enough time
- criticism
- peer pressure
- negative attitudes
- lack of resources/opportunities
- fear of mistakes or failure
- exhaustion
- negative self-talk (“I can’t”)
- black and white thinking
It is clear there are many ways to discourage creativity, so what can we do to encourage creativity?
Foremost, as professionals we need to believe in the creativity within ourselves. If I flippantly say, "I am not creative," or I don`t do what I`m asking my clients to do, I am sending the wrong message. We need to be role models and demonstrate a willingness to try new things -- even when scared. We can help our clients to believe they are creative by educating clients as to what creativity really is: a process for them to discover their own unique qualities. Exposing them to a variety of activities and situations can be invaluable.
In terms of educating clients on the value and importance of creativity, I incorporate brainstorming into many of the groups I facilitate, often as a warm-up to the topic. I will often toss around a "Koosh" ball and have the group members come up with ideas about a topic without judgment. Topics for brainstorming could include ways to have fun, ways to show care for another person, ways to manage your stress, positive qualities, things you are grateful for, etc.
In a group emphasizing creativity specifically, I pass around a shoebox, (one with a separate lid) and ask them to do something with it (except stomp on it). I go first and put one foot into the lid and the other into the box and I cross-country ski around the room. I have seen over 100 ways to use a shoebox, (some ideas I cannot repeat in this article)! I will then break the group into teams of three to four participants and give them a bag of six props with which to create a game. They name their game and demonstrate it to the others.
I often play the above-mentioned song, “Flowers are Red,” and ask clients to discuss their feelings when hearing the song and how they relate to it. Then, at the end of the session after the group has had an opportunity to explore their creativity, we identify and discuss what discourages and encourages creativity. From these discussions, my clients have identified the following ways to encourage creativity:
- express your true self and develop individuality
- use positive messages (“I can!”)
- find quiet time to reflect
- stay open-minded
- refrain from judging or criticizing others
- take risks and learn through trial and error
- withhold previous assumptions
- express feelings and thoughts through writing or drawing
- browse through a store, library, or craft show to stimulate ideas
- surround oneself with positive and encouraging people who are problem solvers
- brainstorm with self and/or others
- use humor
- maintain a positive attitude
In summary, we need to convey acceptance and encouragement of creativity both through our words and our actions. It is also important to emphasize the value of creativity in problem solving and therefore in our clients` various crises. I feel so rewarded when I hear a client grasp this concept and share it with a new client by saying, "You may not think you are creative, but you will find out here that you are."
