the challenge
When I started this open creative journal I “promised” you (and myself) it will not be always glamorous. Well, today is one of those not-so-glamorous days. It’s way too late, and somehow I got to this point without an Insight. Which makes posting a challenge somewhat inappropriate.
But wait! All is not lost!
That might just be a perfect opportunity to reflect on some older Insights I have captured. I’m not sure I can recreate the triggers for some of them, but this might make it even more interesting.
So, if you are into this journey together with me, open your favorite photo app and to scroll until you find something interesting you have captured before.
Ready? Now, let’s share and reflect…
my insight
I love this photo. Well, I love walls in general, but I’ll deny it if you quote me.
When I see such a wall I can’t help wondering: am I the only one who see it? It is so obvious, isn‘t it?! Maybe someone has deliberately carved this figure in the wall and they are just waiting to see who will spot it first?
I love how this ghostly woman in white seems like she is floating — moving away from the mailbox as if she has just sent a letter.
The difference in texture between her dress and her face adds to the sense that this is a real figure. And the faded white markings on the wall seems to animate her and enhance the sense of movement.
Who is she, or who she was? What was in the letter? And why she is wearing a white dress?
I can stare at this photo for long minutes and keep finding new details. And questions.
reflection
Creativity is exploring, observing, and then using what we find as raw material. Insights like the one above are capturing this entire process in a nutshell.
It all happens instantly: seeing this wall, identifying the figure, adding the details (the white dress and its texture) and imagining a whole new story — it is an Insight in its purest sense.
This moment when something in our brain ignites to create such an Insight is nothing less than magic — no process in the world can recreate it or list the exact conditions that will lead to it.
At the same time, it is a natural process — a process our brain is wired to do from the minute we realize as babies the world is a playground.
It is up to us to turn this process into an inherent part of our being — to see things not for what they are, but for what they can be.
mental notes
- When you are stuck without an Insight, revisit previous Creative Insights.
now it is your turn… be creative!