EVERYDAY CREATIVITY AND THE HEALTHY MIND

Creativity is not reserved for artists or geniuses. That is creativity with a capital ‘C.' For everybody, meaningful creativity with a small ‘c’ is the key to a healthy mind. Everyday creativity represents the possibility and path to hope, change, flow, and aesthetic immersion. In this chapter, the two authors, both psychoanalytically oriented psychologists, describe their personal creative journeys. Leanne discusses the importance of the creative imagination and describes her use of the arts and dreamwork to spark personal and professional creativity. Terry tells the tale of struggling with her creativity when younger out of a fear of lack of talent, only to reclaim it later as a form of communication and self-expression. This chapter culminates in the story of the authors’ ongoing creative collaboration. This began by jumping into a wild adventure, culminating in a book called The Eel & the Blowfish: A Graphic Novel of Dreams, Trauma and Healing. The wild ride continues as they currently innovate a new format for a second book.