I’m a creative. And I’m working on minimalism and, as you’ll see on Goodreads, essentialism. Our digital culture loves buzzwords (which is a buzzword in itself) because on a surface level, they help group behaviors and ideologies into lifestyles, and even titles. Internally, they help people find one another.
But these titles can separate people because they define folks by lifestyle choices. The titles often describe behaviors. By definition, creatives create, and minimalists intentionally live with less (and defining what’s “less” is dependent on the person).
Is it possible for creatives to become minimalists? How do minimalists create?
I believe it’s possible to straddle both choices of living creatively and minimally. Here’s how.
1. Learn your why.
Why do creatives work? For me, it’s an extension of myself. I create because it helps me learn about myself and the world. Most of my creative work is the presentation of words, and through communication, I present myself via word.
Minimalism helps me decide how I use my talents, in service work and professional work. I write here, and I’m the resident wordsmith at my job. I use my passion to serve in two volunteer roles, communicating via newsletter, social media, various websites, and formal speech.
Takeaway: Minimalism and creativity are choices that affects other choices, from your career paths to your service work. So, discover how it’s possible to use both.
2. Recognize the tools needed to be both a creative and a minimalist.
Let’s face it, there’s a lot of stuff involved in being a creative, regardless of your chosen medium(s).
My primary medium is anywhere words can be presented. After years of writing stories in spiral notebooks and a decade of scribbling in diaries (Kaylie, ages 6-16!), my medium is now digital. Google knows more about me than any physical paper… but that’s a different topic for another time.
I’m becoming a minimalist creative. Slowly, I’m tossing old journals. The takeaway here is not “throw away your old work.” I’m doing this because I value reducing clutter. I’m okay with parting with these past physical manifestations of me. They’re not merely scribbles, they’re old ideas and stories.
But what about artists who use so much more than pen and paper and Google Docs and WordPress like I do? Artists have so many mediums to choose from. Paint, camera, dancing shoes, clay… that’s a lot of stuff!
On your creative and minimalist journey, you have to decide what products and projects matter. Do you need 3 broken Mac and Cheese crayons? What about your first pair of tap shoes? I understand the sentimentality, but do they matter?
Takeaway: Recognize what you’re actually using now and what’s redundant or no longer useful to your present work. That’s when growth happens.
3. See how you can re-purpose your art.
I’m a word nerd, and I’m also a little sentimental (falling into the yearbook’s editor-in-chief role at college fits). It feels natural to still have letters, articles with bylines, and photos. I cherish them. I also love stickers and coasters. This physical stuff is emotional, representing experiences.
Instead of keeping these materials in piles, I’m making a system to sort them, present them, and ultimately create new art from the clutter. I’m learning to create in new ways.
How? I’m making collages and working on a digital portfolio. It’s difficult because many of these collections feel like commitments to me. I’m working on a display for my stickers by adorning a wooden “home” with them.
Takeaway: If a piece of art is not displayed, it’s probably not bringing joy and instead gathering dust. So, either find a way to present your piece or tastefully store it. If you can’t, it’s time to part ways.
There’s been much written about why we are attached to stuff. I believe the core reason creatives hold onto our projects and tools is because we believe in the potential: maybe we’ll create something from nothing, learn something, or have a use for it later. But is the potential worth it? If you’re not creating in the present, or displaying the past, what is the point?
Do you think it’s possible to be both a creative and minimalist? Let me know in the comments!
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