Notes
from
Editors
HeYlo and warm welcomes from the Editors of Creativity Unleashed, a not for profit organisation dedicated to young people - showcasing and highlighting their creativity.
You may be wondering what the ‘Notes from Editors’ is and what it entails. This is what this introductory ‘Notes from Editors’ is about.
Our creativity is an aspect of ourselves that we at CreativityUnleashed believe we should continuously cultivate and nurture throughout our lives, rather than just in school.
Children, with their naivety, see the beauty and good in everything. They see fire breathing dragons and frolicking fairies, and have ‘imaginary friends’ who they invite for afternoon tea parties. They create boundless scenarios with their toys, ranging from the family drama amongst their dolls to a superhero comedy of their favourite action figure. As children our imagination and creativity was endless, but as we grow up we have the tendency to repress our creative side in order to assimilate in hopes of being accepted and appreciated.
Why do we do this when there are ideas that have blossomed into great inventions that help us with our day to day lives that were conceptualised from imagination and manifested through creativity?
Is it because of the stigma that creative subjects are less likely to lead to a stable career? Or how only the “talented and gifted” can succeed in the various arts?
But we have something to tell you: Creativity is everywhere and in every single one of us.
Creativity is a vessel through which great things come about; it has many faces and forms and it is not restricted, nor is it rigid. There is no “normal” way of being creative because it is spontaneous. Spontaneity comes from chaos and calamity; it comes from peace and tranquillity.
What is creativity?
What does being creative mean?
How can one be creative?
These are questions and more that many of us have and want the answers to.
We at CreativityUnleashed want to delve into the kaleidoscope that is creativity and explore its whimsical world. We particularly want to explore it from the viewpoint of young people and what creativity is and what it means to them. With our
Notes, we will be approaching creativity from various angles.
From investigations to opinions, we will be bringing you quarterly explorations of creativity.
So we implore you to join us on our journey of learning, understanding and reconciling with our creativity as we help you unleash yours.
Check our website monthly, or sign up for our newsletter, and join our discussions – because creativity builds community and inspires authenticity.
The Bitter Regrets, Misunderstandings and Reality of Pursuing an English Major
Written by Pamela A Bryant
"A decision to major in English, despite my love for it, became my greatest source of shame.
I often find myself now, post-grad, stuck in a headspace of depression and repressed regret.
I spent nineteen years of my life being a student. Five of those years were spent in college, a landmark of the most important part of anyone’s career journey, and I was focused on English studies.
Ahem.
Let me revise my statement. I spent
five, not the typical, what-should’ve-been
four, years at a
private college. I was always taught that “private” meant apart, sworn secrecy, but not necessarily a special place to be. Besides, what exactly makes a private college any more special than a public school? I had aimed to attend an HBCU, a SUNY, or a CUNY. My family never wanted me to go far away, but I had wanted a change. At the time, many people questioned my decision to major in English at a private liberal arts college. They couldn't understand why I didn't choose to attend a larger, public university with a more "common" major (Business, perhaps). I didn’t understand why I hadn’t been told that I could pick a specific focus within the English Major - for instance: most universities offer concentrations that would help with my studies, interests, and career goals as English is so broad. I think looking back, a lot of things went into this mishap such as communication, program structure, and advising. If I had better known my options earlier I would’ve been able to make a better informed decision about the coursework and my future plans. It wasn’t until my junior year of college I discovered other fields such as childhood education existed. I chose English, but the focus was chosen for me..."
When Passions Die and Grief Grips You
The Healing Properties of Creative Writing when You Least Expect it
Written by Mariah John-Leighton
"They always say the best career is based on doing something that you love. It will feel like joy, so that you’ll never actually work a day in your life. I always assumed this statement to be true, but then I went to university.
I grew up shy in a loud Caribbean family, so reading became my escape – my time to sit away from the madness with nothing in my head but the troubles and adventures of the characters in the books I read. I found a voice in those characters. Through reading, I could be as brave as Harry Potter, as boisterous as Tracy Beaker, and as smart as Matilda. In other words, I could feel different from the girl who felt lost every time she stepped outside her house, whose identity was defined by her relationships with others. I was a girl who couldn’t navigate a social situation without her comfort people beside her.
But at home, in my quiet little bubble, with the unconditional love of my family and a book, I could be anyone I wanted to be..."
Download the full note here
How Your Lived Experiences Can be Channelled into Creativity
There is a Voice Waiting to Come Out
Written by Ollie Opara
"Experiences shape how we all view the world and we navigate and transverse it. From the way we act and interact, our beliefs and morals, our personalities, our likes and dislikes and more, are all products of our experiences.
But what is an experience?
According to the
American Cambridge dictionary, an experience is: “(the process of getting) knowledge or skill that is obtained from doing, seeing, or feeling things, or something that happens which has an effect on you.” When something has an effect on you, it alters you. It changes you. And it is this change that can be either positive or negative and prompt a positive or negative reaction.
Your experiences shape you as a person, though it doesn't define you, it does however impact your creativity. Creativity not only enables you to develop your passions, showcase your talents and skills, it also gives you an outlet to tell your story in a unique way. That is the beauty of your creativity.
It empowers you..."
Download the full note here
COMING SOON
