Many creative people go to the trouble of creating simply because it makes them feel good. That seems to be all the motivation they need.
Being able to express oneself without being punished or criticized always feels good. Children quite naturally express themselves without reserve until they learn that they may be punished in some way for doing so. After that happens, often in early childhood, their creativity is stunted. Although they may find indirect and often surreptitious ways to express themselves as they grow older, they will live with a sense of loss and long to be to be accepted as they are, without judgment. This can present many problems as the child becomes an adolescent.
The path to creative satisfaction is lined with frustration, false starts, self criticism and temporary obstacles. But creative children and adults stick with it, because they know that the payoff will be a good feeling.
It is because this feeling of satisfaction that there is a close relationship between creativity and self-esteem. Succeeding chapters will explore this relationship.
This is an overview of the definition of creativity we will use throughout the site. Each element of the definition has implications for your parental behavior, and these will explored.
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