Just a heads up about this post: it’s not about money!  Or is it??

Before I went full-time as a Financial Coach, I was an engineer.  I sat in front of a computer, wrote emails, made phone calls, and tracked the status of my projects.  My job required zero creativity and when I tried to be creative, it went against the grain of “that’s how we always do it” mentality.

I had to find a way to let my creativity out or I would have probably had a mental break down (well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, I know).

Creating art in the medium of photography is my outlet.

I believe that each and every one of us is hardwired to need an outlet for the creativity that we are created with.  I wonder how much of the depression, crime, suicide, drug use, and other social ills would be eliminated if each person discovered their creative potential and exercised their creative gifts would remain?  hmmm….

I know that letting my creative side out helped me reduce stress, sleep better, engage with friends better, meet new friends, and generally allowed me to be a better person.

When I pick up my camera I can feel any stress start to melt away as my heart rate climbs a bit due to the excitement and adrenalin flowing though me!  Making a great image (or attempting to) has turned many a bad start to a day into a great finish!  I forget the issues at work and the stress of providing for my family as a self-employed individual, as I focus on what I see though the viewfinder (you can check out my work at JeremyFultonPhotography.com).

After spending time looking through a lens, capturing the world as I see it, I feel that I am more focused and able to do what is required of me (at work and at home).  It allows me to accomplish more, with less stress, which actually helps me professionally!

In what ways do you express your creativity?  You may not be talented with a musical instrument, paint brush, or camera, but none-the-less I bet there is a way you create art!  Do you work on old cars, building the engine into a powerhouse?  Do you write computer programs or apps?  How about working in your flower/vegetable garden?  Do you perform tricks/stunts with a bike/snowboard/skis?  Those are all creative outlets!

Please share with us your creative outlet and how it helps you!