Toddlers and kids are always taught to get their hands dirty and create something. Whatever that 'something' is - a drawing, clay figures, or some (usually discordant) song that involves out-of-tune belting. That's because creating things give kids this sense of autonomy. They learn to create something that is uniquely theirs. Regardless of which part of the world you grew up in, this focus on creating things slowly gets replaced by monotonous 'results' - which often leave no room for exploration of the creation of things.
I can't recall when exactly I stopped caring so much about creating things, which is strange because art and music classes only stopped after secondary two (usually age 14) here in SG. There still persisted the occasional 'presentations' where we all had to make our own slides, or activities the more passionate teachers took pride in making us create something. But I guess they didn't stick particularly well, because I don't seem to remember too many of them. I'd never considered 'creativity' as one of my strong suits: maybe this created a positive feedback loop where I didn't want to create more things because I didn't think I was good at it (I still don't think I'm super creative now, but definitely more open to trying!).
A friend recently started drawing loads after attending an urban sketching class last year. I'm a little inspired to see that, because the time and commitment isn't easy to maintain. What's more remarkable is how he's managed to get his family and friends along for some of the urban sketching sessions! Perhaps this speaks to people's innate curiosity to try something a bit different. Everyone learnt to sketch as a kid, and there is certainly a part of us where we can pick up a pencil and draw our favourite cartoon character. It sounds like an 'accessible challenge' (yes, the oxymoron is intentional). I started doing some nature sketching some time ago. Slightly ashamed to say I haven't quite make it a habit, but I'll take it slow.
Maybe creating something reignites that childlike joy in us. The whole process of researching, learning, attempting and failing (usually), before finally succeeding is a long but rewarding process. We see improvements, which keeps us going. Learning always seem fun when you aren't graded for it, or rely on it for a livelihood. This is the same as why I enjoy cooking for others more than for myself. Spending time to research, to chop, and lastly, the presentation of the final dish, all require concentration and effort. It brings more joy knowing that someone else appreciates what you have cooked and are enjoying it.
I might be speaking more for myself than for others here, but I don't enjoy most parts of my job because I don't have much say in how to create and make things. A deck of slides is meant to convey something the bosses want, and that restricts the amount of freedom I have in curating the slides. This takes away the joy from creation. 'Just do what you're told' is often the way things are in the corporate world, unfortunately. Maybe that's why job satisfaction has constantly been so low. Anyway, I digress.
The impetus to create new things doesn't come easy. But I'm sure that we all get moments of inspiration to try making something. That's when you should act on it. It's similar to the first feeling as a kid when your parents let go of the bike and you realise you're cycling alone without any support. It's that wonderful sense of 'I'm doing it!' Well, you should be, since it takes no small amount of courage, concentration, and effort to overcome the inertia. That dopamine rush you get after completing a difficult task makes you feel good about yourself. In a world where there's so much s*** going on, being able to control the outcome of something, albeit small, is much needed for our sanity.
I've been collecting and drying loads of plant bits: leaves, flowers, fruits, even a piece of bark (couldn't prevent the mold growing on it, so it had to be chucked unfortunately. Wanted to use it as a tea tray...). It's such a small habit that I don't even think of it as active creation, since all I do is dry it under the sun or place the leaf between pages of a book. But it's still the fact that I can choose how I want to arrange them, or give them as a gift to someone else. It is a multi-step process (of sorts). Who knows where this will lead? Maybe nowhere, but it still brings joy to my life.
Top: Samanea saman (rain tree) flower. Looks crazy, reminds me of Einstein's hair.
Bottom: Dried leaves that I'm using as bookmarks. Haven't identified these, think the right is a Dillenia sp. but not sure. I have many more pressed leaves, but they're all hidden in my many books. Oops.
Seeking a sense of accomplishment is innately human, and this is why creating things is important for us, even as adults. It's a source of pride (however small) that we all crave and need in our lives. It makes us feel useful. Loads of you guys who will read this are already doing such cool stuff. Never in my life did I ever dream of making cheese, creating a tea database, making your own movie, designing beautiful cards, baking delicious pastries and breads, and so much more! I'm proud to be friends with you guys! Continue creating cool stuff!
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Music of choice: Dirty Work by Steely Dan (1972) and Ol'55 by Tom Waits (1973). Loads of other songs were played in the course of writing this piece, but I forgot to note them down. Silly me, oops.
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