Creativity and Stress: My Journey to Unlocking the Power of Creativity

For a long time, I didn’t truly understand the importance and power of creativity. Like many, I believed creativity was reserved for artists or visionaries—something you either had or didn’t. I didn’t realize how much creativity and stress are connected. Engaging in creative activities can significantly reduce stress, providing a powerful outlet to process emotions and find calm in challenging moments..


It wasn’t until I began working through my own emotional blockages, traumas, and stress that I realized creativity was the missing piece. For creativity to emerge, I needed to create space for it within myself. I had to calm my nervous system, step out of fight-or-flight mode, and bring my mind into a state of flow.
Clearing the Path for Creativity


I learned that the brain cannot be creative when it’s stuck in survival mode. Scientifically, stress activates the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for fight-or-flight responses, while shutting down the prefrontal cortex, where imagination, problem-solving, and creative thinking happen.


To unlock creativity, I needed to choose active love—for myself and others—and fill my own cup first. This meant prioritizing practices that regulated my emotions and soothed my nervous system, like mindfulness, journaling, and even small acts of self-care. With time, I began to feel more open, curious, and playful.


As Jean Piaget, the renowned psychologist, emphasized, creativity isn’t just about producing art—it’s a fundamental aspect of human development. Piaget believed creativity is the process by which we adapt, explore, and solve problems. For me, embracing this idea shifted how I saw creativity. It wasn’t about perfection or talent; it was about curiosity and growth.


Creativity as a Lifeline


Elizabeth Gilbert, in her book Big Magic, describes creativity as a force that resides within all of us, waiting to be acknowledged. She writes that creativity isn’t a luxury but a necessity—an essential part of being human. Her words resonated deeply with me because I realized that by ignoring my creative potential, I had also been ignoring a part of myself that craved expression and connection.
Gilbert also speaks about working through fear to create space for inspiration. This mirrors my own experience: only after confronting and releasing my fears and traumas could I tap into my creative energy. Creativity became my safe place, my tool for stress relief, and a gateway to joy.


Creativity in Everyday Life


One of the most surprising things I discovered is that creativity isn’t just about painting a masterpiece or writing a novel. It’s about how we approach life. Creativity is in:
• Cooking a meal with love and experimenting with flavors.
• Organizing a space to make it feel like home.
• Problem-solving in relationships or at work.
• Journaling thoughts and emotions in a way that feels cathartic.
Piaget’s belief in the adaptive power of creativity and Gilbert’s idea of living a curious, open-hearted life helped me see that creativity is everywhere. It’s a way of thinking, feeling, and being that allows us to grow and thrive.


Creativity and Stress: The Science of Flow


When we engage in creative activities, our brains enter a state of flow—a balance between focus and relaxation. This state lowers cortisol (the stress hormone) and increases dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter. Creativity allows emotions to flow in ways words often can’t, bringing a sense of calm and connection.


A Personal Reflection


Looking back, I realize I used to see creativity as something I wasn’t “good at.” Now, I see it as a vital tool for stress management and self-discovery. By working through my blockages and calming my fight-or-flight response, I’ve not only reduced stress but also opened myself up to new possibilities and ways of living.


As Piaget and Gilbert suggest, creativity is more than just making art—it’s how we approach the world, solve problems, and express our inner selves. By embracing creativity, I’ve learned to live more fully, authentically, and joyfully.


Stress is inevitable, but creativity is our birthright—and it’s one of the most powerful tools we have for navigating life’s challenges and finding meaning along the way.

You can check my workshops related with creativity here.