Pointless Overthinking

Question of the Day: No. 534

By Troy Headrick

Exactly a week ago, I asked a question about creativity.  Today, I’d like to continue along those same lines with the following interrelated interrogatives:   

Are you a creative person?  If so, what do you do?  Do you blog, paint, compose music, philosophize, or have some other creative pursuit?

Please tell me about what you do (and maybe why you do it) and provide a link to your website.  Help make this blog a celebration of creatives and creativity.

Thanks very much for sharing your work with me and the many readers of Pointless Overthinking!

Troy Headrick’s personal blog can be found here.

104 thoughts on “Question of the Day: No. 534”

    1. Hi, cyrsti. Thanks for sharing a link to your site. I look forward to checking it out. Are you a relatively new reader here at Pointless Overthinking?

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  2. I’m a rather creative person. I’ve always been involved with music. I play instruments and sing. I was even part of gold-medal winning orchestra, jazz band, and singing groups in high school (inserts shameless nostalgia plug for winning nationals).

    I still love music, both playing and listening, but I’m more hands-on creative now, with painting, drawing, and crafty stuff, all of which I judge to be insufficient. Luckily, I’m working on living the “good enough” life. And, painting rocks, whether it’s for the garden or random dispersal along public paths, is a joy. I like to imagine people smile the way I do when I encounter the similar.

    There’s also the writing and my blog (and the self-published, best-of book, insert shameless plug, mark two). What I really want to do with the creative efforts is to embrace my inner toddler. Enjoy the process without the criticism. And perhaps without my obsessive need to stay at least somewhat tidy. 😊 http://fromfaminetofeast-eatingdisordersandrecovery.com/

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    1. Ah, high school. I remember it well, sort of. Those were the days, weren’t they? There’s so much about your comment I like. We’re all doing the best we can and living the “good enough” life. I was such a perfectionist early on that I ended up doing some psychological damage to myself as a result. I look forward to getting a fresh look at your site. I also want to embrace “my inner toddler.” Why was life so much more enjoyable when we were children? Why did the days seem to last forever? Play is the secret. If we can only learn to bring a more playful attitude to everything we do, life would be so much easier and we’d be so much more creative. Thanks so much.

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    1. I started out as a poet and published quite a bit of poetry in a whole bunch of magazines when I was in my 20s. Slowly, over time, I wanted to branch out and write prose. Like you, I love creative nonfiction. I look forward to checking out your site. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. I wonder if having an open artistic type personality is the environment for “creativity” to grow. Being “open” allows equal parts of negative and positive to access our minds. Maybe we create something beautiful in order to diminish the negativity we allowed to enter.
    https://www.dougsandelin.com/

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    3. I think being “open” is the absolute key. By the way, interesting question, why are so many artists inclined to be politically progressive? It’s because the closed mind (or the narrow mind) and the artistic mind are incompatible. Your thoughts on creativity are interesting and I look forward to checking out your site. Thank you for sharing.

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    5. Hey, Doug, your art is really good and interesting. I hope you’re approaching galleries. If you’re not, you should be. I see that you’re self-taught. When did you begin? How did it all get started? I’m always intrigued by really talented self-educated artists.

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  5. I love writing 😍 a few years ago I started working on a career in translation, to help keep me in tune with grammar and the “world of letters,” but what I really WANT is to write. I have a blog that focuses on entrepreneurship, which I write in English and translate into Spanish. My blog is on my business website http://www.joneslewistranslation.com but I’ve been thinking of starting a separate blog that allows for a larger variety of discussion topics

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    1. You sound like you have a bit of an entrepreneurial streak yourself. You write about it and you DO it. That’s bringing two worlds together. I look forward to checking out your site. Thanks so much for sharing your story and a link.

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  6. Troy, why the interest in creative motivations? What are you working on? Hmmm, I am curious! Well, since this is an url show, I will show mine too, why not?
    kjensenstudio.wordpress.com
    I’m a lifelong artist, and I still don’t know why. I yearn for an elusive and hopefully boring semblance of ‘normalcy’. I realize of course, that such a thing doesn’t actually exist, at least not for me, and I’d probably screw it up if I had it. Paint mustaches on it or something. 🙂 I am always, and I mean Always looking for work of any kind, either artistic or mundane, and was raised to believe that doing art would ruin my life and keep me Poor. I yearned to be a sculptor like my dad and my grandparents, but my parents were divorced, with my mother absolutely livid about all things sculpture. So, I did this in secret. Secret Sculpture Society! This should be a Thing. I still don’t have any on my website, but soon! A few years ago, I happened upon a job ad on Craigslist for a sculptor, so immediately applied. The foundry owner called me up also immediately, looked at my resume, and hired me right then! Wtf??! This was a very large art foundry, and I was now its only sculptor. Was I on Cloud 9, or what?
    What a boost of confidence, what a sweet feeling. The job itself only lasted a couple of months, as they closed due to money mismanagement, but the effect lasted. I’m busy building a new site and incorporating this brave new/old angle.
    My advice to anyone interested in pursuing art as a job, is to look for industrial applications, as those are surprisingly plentiful. Prototypes, advertising, fabric designs, flower arranging, whatever. Mainly though, remember that art and creativity is a high form of Craft. It’s 99% learned technique and applications of that learning. It’s only 1% of that doofy banana taped to a wall.
    It’s also the only job category I’ve ever had that elevated me out of being ‘broke’, so don’t believe that ‘starving artist’ garbage.

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    1. It sounds like we both might be weirdos. By the way, call me weirdo if you want. I embrace it. I had looked at your art page before and really liked what I saw. I especially like the owl picture. It’s my favorite. I had this really interest experience with an owl years ago that made me think that it might be my spirit animal. I’m in the process of getting some good digital images together. Years ago, I used to sell art and had some pretty nice success. I want to get back to that part of my life again. Selling work by others gets my juices flowing. Thanks so much. I always enjoy hearing from you. By the way, I hope I didn’t upset you calling you a weirdo. My thinking is that you might not mind.

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    2. Welcome! If you’d ever like advice about writing or blogging, feel free to reach out. I’ve been teaching writing at colleges and universities more years than I like to admit to. I look forward to checking out your site. Thanks for sharing a link.

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  9. I’ve always been a creative person but I’ve struggled with finding the right outlet. I like photography and photo editing but I’ve always been a writer at heart I’ve just struggled to share it with others. I recently started a blog though in hopes of getting other people interested in my writing and also just for practice as I’ve neglected it for a while. You can find me here: jccoggs.wordpress.com. today I posted the hardest post for me to date–my book ideas.

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    1. Hi. I’m old enough to have been a child when people still did old-fashioned 35mm photography, and I had a darkroom at home. I loved making black-and-white artsy photos. (I have always had the problem of being interested in too many things.) I’m looking forward to checking out your writing. Thanks for commenting and leaving a link.

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  10. Hello Troy! I’ve been creative for as long as I can remember and tried my hand at various art forms, but now I focus all my energies into writing. I draw the subject matter of my fiction and drama from the world around me, but if there’s a common theme that runs through all my work, it’s people at the crossroads. robertkirkendall.com

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    2. Have you published a novel or collection of short stories? I’m looking forward to checking out your writing. Thanks for leaving a link. Take care. I’ll let you know what I think.

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      1. Nothing published officially, but working on it. As of now I’ve only had one of my short stories published in a periodical, so I have a bunch of my work on my WordPress site. Thanks and all the best!

      2. Keep on sending things out. I have been rejected millions of times, but I have also had a lot of things published. It’s a matter of determination, but you already know this. And when you are rejected, it’s not necessarily because your writing isn’t good. Editors have all sorts of things in mind when they evaluate manuscripts.

      3. Thanks for the encouragement, Troy! Good thing I’m persistent. And that’s so true about rejections, and a lot of is numbers because they get so many submissions.

    1. Hi. If you take cool pictures, then you are artistic. I’ll like to see some of them, but I didn’t see a link. Do you have any work online? Thanks for reading and commenting.

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  12. I love to write- I do book reviews, I journal, and I write fiction. I’ve written six manuscripts (ranging from about 120 pages to 300+.) Writing is good for my mental health and I get very invested in my characters. I’m hoping to get published someday.

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    1. I wish you all the best and hope that you get published too. Have you sent any of your work out to anyone? I didn’t see a link to any of your work. Would you like to share some? Thanks for commenting.

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      1. Hi! I have shared my work with friends, family, and a couple of beta readers/copyeditors, and the overall reaction has been pretty favorable. I’ll link you to a few stories I wrote about one of my favorite character’s I’ve created, Warren. One of them is from the actual manuscript in which he’s the main character (he’s 34) and two are just writing exercises about his life when he was a kid. Thanks!

        https://sarahscorner82914520.wordpress.com/2020/10/19/short-story-with-families-like-these/
        (Warren is 12)

        https://sarahscorner82914520.wordpress.com/2021/04/17/short-story-vampire-boy-by-sarah-w/
        (Warren is 13)

        https://sarahscorner82914520.wordpress.com/2018/03/05/excerpt-from-manuscript-warren-2/
        (Warren as an adult)

      2. Cool. After I go through all these comments and get caught up responding, I’ll come back and check your links out. Thanks for sharing them.

    1. Fred, you’re a natural born deep thinker and philosopher. Plus, I know enough about your lifestyle to know that you’ve chosen to live the uncommon life. In my book, that makes you an artist. Plus, your writing is really good. (Your comments to my writing always push me intellectually.) Why not leave a link to your blog here?

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      2. Thanks, Fred. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve looked at your site. I look forward to checking it out again once I get caught up on responding to all these comments.

  14. Great discussion and a great idea. Here’s the link to my blog, such as it is. You can read more of my story there. I spent all my life as a musician, specializing in piano and voice. My TBI put paid to that, but I still see the world as an artist. Madeline L’Engels’s book Walking On Water, has been a great resource to me as an artist that is also a Christian. Also, research shows that anyone can be “creative” if they are given a task, and instructed to complete it as they think different people would. For example, solve a problem as a detective; as a chef; as a visual artist; as a musician; as a dramatist. This method brought out the most amazing creativity in people who had never before considered themselves at all creative. Best of luck with all you do.

    https://wordblooms.wordpress.com/(opens in a new tab)

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    1. That’s a cool creativity exercise. It gets people to step outside themselves and become someone else. That’s creativity in a nutshell–trying to get beyond human limitations. I’m also intrigued by Walking on Water. I’ll check it out and I’ll have a look at your site. Thanks for commenting and providing a link.

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  16. I write. I have written a novel [The power of love]… Available on light reader.

    I equally blog. My website is Derasstories.com
    It’s a story blog. Home for original stories and Poetries.

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  17. Great idea Troy for connecting with other creatives and hi everyone 😊 I love writing (especially poetry) and my blog covers my own poetry, wellbeing advice and a bit of photography. I find being creative/blogging is extremely beneficial for my overall wellbeing! Thanks for this lovely post. My blog is http://www.connectwithpoetry.com

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    1. Hi, Bernie Egerton. How does writing help with your wellbeing? I’m asking out of curiosity. I have actually done quite a bit of research on the topic. I look forward to visiting your site. Thanks!

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      1. Hi Troy! Writing for me, is great for expressing my emotions if feeling overwhelmed, or however I may feel. I only started writing/blogging during this pandemic. I obviously tapped into my creative side during a time of crisis in our world: and so thankful I discovered the beauty that is writing/blogging!!

      2. Writing is very therapeutic! I think it often feels like “brain exercise” for me. I often begin with the need to answer a question. Through the writing, I work out an answer that feels more or less satisfactory (if that makes any sense).

  19. I think I’m a creative persons (everyone is for that matter). Some of us due to criticisms stop using our creativity, but it’s always there ready to use whenever possible.

    To express my creativity, I write a lot!

    Thank you for sharing this question.

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    1. And thank you for reading my blog and responding, Bachir Bastien. Yes, the external world often crushes creativity. It’s ironic that schooling–something that should broaden people–ends up forcing people into being and acting “normal.” Normalcy is the enemy of creativity. What can be done to solve this problem other than helping people have the courage to resist?

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      1. That’s my pleasure Troy! I think it all boils down to self-awarereness, choice, and action. Those who knew school wasn’t the right choice for them, found a way out of it to do what pursue their goals. If someone chooses to stay in school…that’s their choice, we must respect that.

    1. Thanks for the link. Once I get caught up responding to all these comments, I’ll go back through everything and have a look at all the websites. I look forward to seeing your writings.

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    1. What’s it like being an accountant? I’m just curious. It’s one of those jobs that I could never do because I’m so troubled by numbers and such. Thanks for the sharing a link. I’ll certainly have a look once I finish responding to all these comments.

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  24. Well, I guess I’m creatively fun. I love doing arts and crafts with my grandkids. I’m talking handmade from our own imagination…no DIY kits, not store bought. From picking leaves, pine cones and acorns to using sand and shells saved from the beach we make all sorts of things. I also like reading and sewing and most of all (more so recently than ever), time spent with my family making memories. I’m not tech savvy at all and very new to blogging. I started my page last Fall after the tragic and sudden passing of my oldest. My page started as a journal as an outlet to grieve. Now I’m hoping to raise awareness and justice. I never really thought I’d get even get 1 follower but, I have a few and I’m overwhelmed with appreciation to have them. I’d love for everyone to check out my page at:
    https://jaceslegacy.Wordpress.com

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    1. I’m sorry to hear about your loss, but I enjoyed reading about your DYI pursuits. Do you ever post photos of those arts and crafts on your blog? I’ll check it for myself as soon as I get caught up on responding to all these comments. Thanks so much for sharing your story and a link to your site. I look forward to visiting your webpage.

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  25. Hye everyone. I think I am creative in my own way, I guess. When an inspiration comes by, the first thing my fingers reach are pencil and a piece of paper. I could say it is my on masterpiece. Second. ideas to words and sentences. I guess these makes me alive and stay survive. By being creative, gives me profound reasons to live happily, I guess.

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    2. I am so happy to hear that you’ve found creative activities that give you joy and meaning. If drawing and writing give you that much happiness and purpose, then you should continue with them and take them as far as you want to go. Do you have a webpage? If so, why not leave a link here so I (and others) can check it out. Thanks for sharing your story.

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    1. You seem like a very busy and industrious person. Once I get caught up responding to all these comments, I’ll come back and check out the links. I’m very curious now. Thanks for sharing.

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      1. aww, thnx a bunch Troy! I definitely WANT to be those things at least 😆😆😆 so definitely working towards that :3

    1. Thanks for the link and for reposting my blog. I look forward to checking out your writings and such. I have already looked at your blog, but I want to dig deeper…

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  30. Pingback: Vraag van die dag: Is jy ‘n kreatiewe persoon? – toortsie.com

    1. Philosophizing is trying out new ideas. It’s an attempt to explain some aspect of life and living. It’s a way of trying to get past the mundane by using thoughts to do so. If writing is creative, then the thoughts that can potentially go into a piece of philosophical writing are creative. The great philosophers are some of our very best artists. They are thinking artists. Thanks for asking an interesting question.

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      1. Hi Troy,

        I loooove that perspective, that Philosophers are thinking artists. Haha. The art of seeing the mundane from new perspectives, asking big questions, and being inspired by the truth. Thank you for answering!

  32. I hesitate to label myself “a creative”, as I’ve seen that label reserved for “people who do this professionally” or “people with real talent”.

    Professionally, I work in Corporate America- not so creative. Outside of paid work, I write poetry (some of which is decent), blog posts (some of which are decent), and I sing (how well depends heavily on the song and amount of alcohol I have consumed).

    https://jewishyoungprofessional.wordpress.com/

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    1. I think a person can be creative whether or not he or she makes money doing so. In fact, those who do creative work without getting paid are “purists” of a sort. I look forward to checking our your site once I get finished responding to all these comments. Thanks so much for participating.

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  33. I don’t think that I’m highly talented or at a professional level. But, I still have creative sides. I have interest in words and music. That’s why I do blogging and often write poetry on my blog. And music really helps me in brainstroming, exploring and finding new ideas to write something.
    If you’d like to check some of my works, check out my site at https://lunaseptalisa.wordpress.com/

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  34. Hey, Troy! It’s yer Uncle Rave! Yeah, I’ve been blogging pretty steadily since 2008. An ex-coworker, named Judy got me into it. She was doing a knitting blog at the time. Not sure if she’s still blogging, or not.

    Back in college – and some in high school – I was really into acting. But, I was just a medium sized fish in a very small pond back then. When I got to NYC I chickened out. I really didn’t have any support system in the Big Apple, and I fell into a temp job, that ended up lasting 24 years. And, of course I got married and raised some kids. So, I guess you could say that life got in the way of my aspirations. A few regrets, sure. But, I wouldn’t trade my life with my wife and kids for the limelight. — YUR

    https://unclerave.wordpress.com/

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    1. Many of us have had to compromise on our dreams. I have too, but, like you, I have few regrets. I used my education to travel the world and live outside the US for nearly two decades. By the way, I love “Uncle Rave,” your pen name. I think when it comes to making it in the arts, it’s more about who you know than how talented you are. What do you think? Thanks for the link. I’ll check it out.

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  35. I don’t paint, dance, write songs (though I’d LOVE to, cook well, do artsy and crafty things, or any other stuff that I’d categorize as creative. The only thing I do is write. Period. Write. I dig into the creative and humorous well of my soul and drag up the bits and pieces of myself that may be worth sharing so that others can relate. I love reading other blogs that share from the heart, because I believe that doing so is, in and of itself, an art form. Please drop by and visit me sometime! I don’t do computerese very well, and my website may or may not appear as a link here, but if not, oh well. I tried. Thats all any of us can do, right? Write! Love your blogs, Tony!
    https://voicesinmyhead.blog/

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    1. Hi, Julie. I’m looking forward to checking out your site and will do so as soon as I finally get caught up on replying to all these comments. If your blogging is anywhere near as good as your writing is here, in this comment, then I’ve got something to look forward to. Thanks.

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  37. Contrary to the maxim about a mischievous devil, my idle mind is a creative playground, for both fiction (story and poetry) and nonfiction, where I’ve realized that matters in lives of all humans, in general, move around only 5 facets of reality aka GHOST i.e. Global concerns, Household chores, Occupational duties, Scholastic tasks and Thoughts of reflection. Hence, I blog here to theorize, hoping to learn clarity in these 5 spheres of life, while occasionally having insouciant breaks of flash fictions and pleasant poems.

    https://thelinearlearner.wordpress.com/contents/highlights/

    Either creativity or learning is thus a hunger, without which I feel starved, subject to the peace of mind.

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    1. Like you, I’ve had a life-long “hunger” to learn and self-express. I look forward to checking out more of your writing and learning more about your intriguing philosophy of “matters in lives of all humans.” Thanks for the link and thanks for being such a loyal reader and commenter.

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  39. Thanks for this post, Troy! I think it’s wonderful for PO to be a hub of creative personalities.
    I would absolutely identify as a creative person. Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted to do things differently. I used weird colors for things, dressed differently, and in ninth grade I wore about 100 different bracelets on both arms. Life’s too short to be boring, right?
    I try to keep this creative spirit alive in pretty much everything I do. 🦋

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  40. Great questions, all! Thank you for the opportunity to share my friend. 😊

    I write stories short and long, I write poetry of many different kinds, I blog as an outlet to process the many different emotions which flow through my mind, and I write and record music. Below is a link to my currently under construction writing website, where I hope to be more active as 2021 draws to a close, and a link to my blog. My music is not up anywhere at the moment, but I do have a SoundCloud account so that might be a good place to start!

    Author website:
    https://hamishthornton.nz/

    Blog:
    https://hardlinesheavytimes.wordpress.com/

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