Beyond the Creativity Conflict
The Art of Creative Blending and What the hell does interpolate mean?
I've always struggled with juggling too many interests—web design, piano, writing, singing, video editing, dance, yoga—and the challenge of focusing on just one. It's been a lifelong issue for me.
You could say I'm dealing with what I’ve heard called Creativity Conflict.
My high level of curiosity fuels me with countless ideas, all of which I’m passionate about.
But this same passion makes it tough to settle on just one.
Curiosity, passion, and exploration are linked to the brain's reward system, triggering a rush of dopamine.
Saying no to myself is easily the hardest thing for me to do.
So what to do?
At the start, this is not going to sound AT ALL novel.
I use the notes app on my phone as my creativity notebook. It's nothing special, just a place to capture ideas—whether it's a joke, a song lyric, a witty comeback, something I’ve read, or something clever I hear on a podcast. It's a common practice, nothing groundbreaking.
Putting an idea down on paper gives my mind a break.
It's a way of acknowledging that I've acted on it, even if just a little. That idea might sit untouched for years, but at least it's out of my head and onto the page.
But here’s where the function of my notebook serves its purpose.
When I face a difficult creative problem, I sometimes scroll through my notes, searching for something—a solution, a spark, an insight—that could crack the case. I usually don’t remember writing down the idea.
Let me give you an example. I'm trying to decide what to write next. I pause and scroll through my notes. I find something I jotted down on September 14th, apparently at 9:11 am. I must have been out for a walk.
It says, “Find the space between two ideas-interpolation.”
Hmm? Interpolation?
What the hell does that mean?
It’s enough to spark my interest to see how it might apply to this article I’m writing write now.
Let me go look it up, and I’ll get back in one sec.
(Time ticking).
Okay, I’m back.
So I did some research. Interpolation is finding or making a bridge between two ideas.
Imagine you know two things for sure, but you're curious about what's in the middle.
Interpolation helps you guess or create that middle part based on what you already know.
It's like mixing two colors to see what new color you get, or taking bits from two different ideas to make a brand new one. It's all about connecting dots in new ways to come up with something fresh.
An original idea that seemed flat or one-dimensional can evolve. When mixed with a second idea, and perhaps even mingled with a third, might reveal an unexpected treasure.
Now, how do I solve my issue of creativity conflict with this new idea I’ve just found of interpolation?
I Find the Opposites: I begin by choosing two of my interests that seem totally different or don't match up, like web design and yoga. These are my starting points.
I Look for Similarities: I can try to find what these different interests have in common. It might not be clear right away, but usually, there’s something that ties them together, like being creative, needing discipline, or how they can make my life better.
Create a Bridge: Now, I interpolate. That means I think of ways to mix these ideas together. For example, could I make a website that gives a new, interactive way to do yoga? Or create something that brings together the look of web design and the focus and movement of yoga?
Sketch Your Ideas: I don't need to perfect every idea. I just need to start by writing down, or singing, or drawing, (enter your own creative skills here) and share in some way my mixed ideas. (Like writing this article). The goal is to get a physical version of the combined idea, even if it's just a rough draft.
I Try Things Out: I choose one or two ideas that really grab my attention and play around with them. This step helps me channel my many interests into one project that could turn into something really special and fulfilling.
Think and Reflect: No matter what happens, I need to spend some time thinking about how mixing my interests helped me explore in a focused way, without getting lost in all the options.
Even though I had no clue how jotting down "interpolation"—a word I'd never even heard of before, back in September—would benefit me today, the act of blending these two ideas led me to this six step process I’ve just outlined.
I certainly haven't completely solved my Creativity Conflict issues, but I've discovered one effective method to manage them.
What unique combinations do you discover when you let curiosity lead the way?
The only limit is our willingness to blend, mix, and reimagine what's possible.
Now go interpolate!
