Maybe the hardest part of creativity is to face the critical eyes of others. We have been raised to see organization everywhere, respect schedules, be on time, be logic, put things where they belong, put things in boxes. Although there is a lot of value in being organized, there is also a lot of value in creativity, in being messy. No one more than writers and artists know that.

Artists, and true innovators in art, publicity, marketing, engineering, etc., defy this basic rule: organization is everything. Learning to be creative, to use intuition, imagination, and being able to express emotions are part of every successful businessperson and writer’s toolbox.

Creativity is messy, yes. So get over it!

My kids know this.

I know this.

You know this.

We might forget it sometimes.

When my homeschooled kids have been peppering their little creative workshops all over the house and we have our hands covered in paints and goo and we juggle with parts and pieces, sometimes it feels like too much.

But what we tend to forget is that their minds are working hard. Kids need to be messy, just like us. Often we insist that they be organized and clean. If we only knew what a little dirt can accomplish!

Things are not what they seem, especially in art.

Your mind, as a writer, will go every which way. Let it!

Your mind at times will go through rollercoasters and your feelings will be all over the place. Let them!

It’s good for you.

You can always warn others that you are in your creative mode, and that won’t be forever. We need to be like that to get to the bottom of our creativity.

Look at the beautiful things we can create with a piece of wood and wire!

It looks messy at first sight, but flash a good light over it in the right direction, and look at the wonderful organization!

Creativity is messy, yes, and for everyone who wants to be successful, it’s a patchwork, a mosaic that comes together harmoniously in the end.

The secret of creativity is: Do not see yourself through other people’s eyes.

Do no see yourself as a puzzle builder just because it’s more organized. The problem with puzzle builders is that, if you miss a piece, you will be stuck.

Heard of writer’s block?

Picture yourself as someone who organizes his or her own hodgepodge. Be messy, at first: scatter around you notes and sketches, ideas and combine what does not go together at first glance. Then find the logic streak and build on it.

Build a mosaic.

Mosaics are made with random pieces, but they do make beautiful artwork, don’t they?
Allow yourself to be messy, then put all the pieces at your disposal, and find the harmony, your harmony. Be on your way to success.

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