10 Things to keep in Mind When Loving a Highly Creative Person

vidot:

thejamesboyle:

It has been proven that highly creative people’s brains work quite differently than other brains. That special brain wiring that can create such wonderful art, music, and writing can often lead to strain in a relationship, because of those differences. If you’ve ever loved a highly creative person, you know that it can seem like they live in their own little word at times, and that thought isn’t far from the truth. Here are some things to keep in mind when you are in love with a highly creative person:

1. Their Minds Don’t Slow Down

The highly creative mind is one that is running at full speed all the time. Although it can be a source of crazy, spontaneous fun – it can also be a burden. Highly creative people rarely keep normal sleep cycles, and are often prone to bouncing from one task to another throughout the day. It can be exhausting to try to keep up.

2. They are Cyclical

The flow of creativity is a cycle, full of highs and lows. Some people may consider this “manic” behavior, but in reality, it is just how the creative process works. Keep this in mind as your partner goes through these natural ebbs and flows. The low periods aren’t permanent.

3. They Need Time Alone

Creative minds need air to breathe. Whether it is their own little work space or an escape to somewhere quiet, they need a time and place to be alone with their thoughts. Some people are inclined to think that if nothing is being said that there is something wrong, but with creative people that is not the case. They are just working within their own head.

4. They are Intensely Focused

When a creative person is on task, they are fiercely intense. The change from being scatter-brained to hyper-focused can be difficult to deal with, so just understand that it is how their brains work. Don’t get frustrated.

5. Emotions Run Deeper

Creative people feel everything on a deeper level. What doesn’t seem like a big deal to you, can be crushing to them. It’s that same passion that goes into whatever they create that drives them to love you, so understand that with the good – comes the bad.

6. They Speak in Stories

Creative people often express themselves in experiences, instead of just saying what they want to say. It is a way of sharing themselves that personifies who they are. At times, it can be difficult to figure out what a creative person is saying, so don’t be afraid to read between the lines.

7. They Battle with Themselves

Being creative can be a serious internal struggle. Motivation, enthusiasm, direction, and drive can all be issues for creative people. Some days it is hard for them just to get out of bed, and other days you can’t get them to slow down. Be patient in the lulls, because there is usually a burst of activity right around the corner.

8. Intuition is Important

Creative people, because of their intense emotional tendencies, tend to rely on intuition over logic. They go with their gut. Some people consider this to be more on the “impulsive” end of the spectrum. The creative mind doesn’t rely on logic to make a decision, it relies on experience and passion.

9. They Struggle with Confidence

When people create, especially for a living, they are always struggling with acceptance. That is art. They have to wear their hearts on their sleeves, and so they always question whether or not what they are producing is good enough. Being supportive is the key to loving a creative person.

10. Growing Up is Hard to Do 

Creative people are almost always children at heart. That care-free nature can seem immature and impetuous – but it is all part of the deal. Understand that the aspects of their creative brains that you love are the same ones that make them somewhat irresponsible when it comes to being an adult.

Something i read today, which gave me a huge peace of mind. Perhaps i’m just too creative for my own good.

via: Justin Gammill

75nappy

Me to a T!

Not At BronyCon Blues

This is pure rant/whine.  (I wonder how many people actually read my blog, considering how little I update it anymore.)

As a majority of people are aware, BronyCon 2015 is happening this Friday through Sunday at the Baltimore Convention Center.  And again, I am not going to be in attendance due to lack of funds and limited availability of vacation hours.  I truly wish everyone that is going to the convention a great time, and that they make amazing memories that they’ll carry with them the rest of their lives.

Right now, however, I’m not really thinking about those cheery thoughts and between 8,000 to 10,000 individuals in Maryland over the course of the weekend having those good time.  What is occurring to my mind is dodging the social minefield of the haves and the have-nots, or Con-goers and non-con-goers.

There’s no really good way to go about making it through unscathed, for both sides of the spectrum.

From the con-goers perspective, naturally you’re talking about it and in a pre-celebratory mood that you’ll be meeting people you don’t see every day of your lives–sometimes, this is going to be the only time that you do.  This being all well and good, you need to be careful to keep your expectations realistic.  That’s really a hard thing to do, when you’ve only heard someone’s voice or seen their art or read the words that they’ve written: there is a chance that what you end up seeing doesn’t match up.  This could be a problem elsewise were it not for the positive atmosphere that is created with you have that many people gathered in one place talking and celebrating something that they like.  Just be careful!

The people that have it bad are the non-con-goers.  They’re really kind of in a pickle about how much they can stay happy for the people that are going to be able to attend and hearing about all the potential fun they’re going to have.  If you’re good and know the person well, you can fake it good or outright understand and truly wish them a good time and mean it (a trap I’ve found myself in with this jealousy!).  Others, however, you might not be able to really keep up the façade.  You may end up avoiding conversations with friends that you talk to on a normal basis, or in larger groups find yourself horribly out of place and fighting the desire to run away and cut yourself off until the situation has passed and you can talk to them again without wanting to cry, be bitter or angry.  Now, granted, this is tainted by my own personal bias: some people are better at this than I am and I applaud them for it.

A few minutes ago, I was ready to rail toward some of my friends and demand that they take their conversation elsewhere so I don’t need to be reminded of how things are every time I go to that specific Skype group.  Leaving the group is a rather petty way to deal with it, causing more irritation with certain parties than it does genuine concern about why you left, even if it’s just the best way for an individual to deal with the situation until it’s passed and you feel safe to return.

The best advice for this situation: have a hobby or other people that you can spend time with during the convention.  Hopefully, it will serve as enough of a distraction to take your mind off of it the situation.  I know there’s a latch hook project that could take up a majority of my evening that would serve as an ample distraction and a great way to keep my hands busy.

For those of you who read this all the way, thank you.  And please understand that I am trying to feel happy for you, but right now I’m struggling and it’s not easy.  That doesn’t change our friendship, nor should it be perceived as an excuse to drag you into doing something you may not wish to do in an attempt to make me feel better.