The Unleashed Mind: Why Creative People Are Eccentric

Tasra Dawson —  January 2, 2012 — 7 Comments

Highly creative people often seem weirder than the rest of us.
Now researchers know why.
- Scientific American

You know it’s true. Creatives are often characterized and seen as a little weird, quirky, odd, peculiar, the list goes on. Now you have proof it’s not entirely your fault… and you’re in remarkable company.

Highly Creative People and Their Quirks

  • Albert Einstein picked up cigarette butts off the street to get tobacco for his pipe
  • Truman Capote said he was a horizontal author who could only think when lying down, with a cigarette and coffee handy
  • Charles Dickens is said to have fended off imaginary urchins with his umbrella as he walked the streets of London
  • Howard Hughes spent entire days on a chair in the middle of the supposedly germ-free zone of his Beverly Hills Hotel suite
  • Victor Hugo gave all of his clothes to his servant, admonishing him NOT to return them until Hugo had completed his day’s work
  • Composer Robert Schumann believed that his musical compositions were dictated to him by Beethoven and other deceased luminaries from their tombs

Need I continue? Highly creative people have personal behavior that sometimes strikes others as odd. After that list, I feel almost normal! What about you?

What if normal isn’t the goal?

WHY BE normal live insanely great quote1 The Unleashed Mind: Why Creative People Are Eccentric

What if this is the year of the creative and eccentric? The year of the unleashed mind. Or the Linchpin as Seth Godin would say.

Are you ready for that? To claim what makes you stand out, what makes you weird and different and spectacular all at the same time?

I’m ready, or at least willing to press on into the idea. Reinventing the 365 photography project is one way I’m embracing the risk-taking creative side. A few other radical ideas are in the works as well. Remember that life begins at the END of your comfort zone.

I’d love to hear what you’ve got planned. We can all embrace our eccentricities together!

energy normal live insanely great quote The Unleashed Mind: Why Creative People Are Eccentric

 

This post was inspired by an article at Scientific American of the same name.

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Tasra Dawson

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Author, designer, photographer, teacher... just an artistic curious girl learning to live insanely great and sharing what I learn along the way.
  • http://www.abetterwayofbusiness.com/ Ivan Bickett

    “Creatives are often characterized and seen as a little weird, quirky, odd, peculiar, the list goes on.”

    Here’s what I want to know: What does it mean when I’ve been called most of those names but do not believe that I, myself, am creative? I used to be. But through the years my creativity has been more and more squashed (I have theories as to why that’s the case, but that discussion may take a while).

    I’d love to know your thoughts.

    ~Ivan

    • Anonymous

      Great questions. Have you read “The Element” by Sir Ken Robinson or “Linchpin” by Seth Godin? Both of those books talk about our current model of education and work that silences the inner creative. I believe it’s especially true in school settings for boys who are not naturally set up to succeed in that setting… hence the reason we homeschool our kids.

      I think it’s highly probable that you are more creative than you realize, that you have done what you needed to do to be accepted in a society that for too long has tried to make us all cogs. 

      Martha Beck wrote a book “Finding Your Own North Star” and used the analogy of a caterpillar… dissolving one’s current life in order to make way for a new and more authentic one. You’re in transition. Give yourself the time you need to transform… do you know what happens when butterflies are given a little “help” by someone breaking open the cocoon too early? They won’t survive in the real world. Let yourself go through the struggle and the process and you’ll come out ready to take on the world like you never imagined.

      Hope some of this helps!

      • http://www.abetterwayofbusiness.com/ Ivan Bickett

        HA! I love it. I was referring to Linchpin, too! Especially into how the school system has done a great job of getting people to fit in; conform; don’t ask questions, follow directions; etc.

        I have taken VERY WELL into that mindset. As a child I was known for my imagination and creativity, but as I got older it died. No one would accuse me of that anymore except for my Mom (because she remembers how I used to be).

        I believe my creativity is still very much there, I’ve just covered it up with years and years and years of fitting in, following directions, doing the “responsible” thing. I say this b/c one of my best assets is my ability to solve problems. Throughout my life I’ve been able to figure out solutions to problems that others have given up on. I stand back, I think, I try to see how I think things “should be” and then I act to make it happen. The problem works itself out then. I don’t think I’d be able to do that if I weren’t creative, b/c after all, I believe creativity can be boiled down to seeing things in a way others don’t or can’t (or maybe even refuse to, not sure on that one).

        And Skye and I have talked about homeschooling our kid (s). Not sure how that would work seeming how neither of us have much patience, but I’m really leaning that way.

        ~Ivan

        • Roxanne Brayford

          Can I add with regards to the school system creating conformity – I am a teacher.  I am constantly being told that how I teach and interact with my students are unique and different.  Personally, I didn’t think I was a very good student – I don’t recall anything about learning styles back then. I often feel that I am in an uphill battle because I don’t fit in.  Think about the children that are in this same boat.  I agree about education system and boys,  plus the system in general.
          There are many teachers that don’t have patience, plus you have a world for your classroom.  I would be curious of your decision. 

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  • Roxanne Brayford

    I have just discovered your sight and love it. 

     I have some theories regarding the creative beings in our universe – usually right brained (goes without saying), also, handedness.  I am always curious to know the dominant hand.  Is it left or right and does this tie in?

    Many of the events of your life remind you of me.  I have had a similar journey and at the moment am getting tired.  Yet, reading your articles has got me thinking once again. . .  thank you!