The untamed truth about the creative process

The creative process is often romanticized, but it’s far from tidy or predictable. Here are five things you might not know about creativity—and why it demands both respect and courage.

1. It’s Destructive.
Creation and destruction go hand in hand. The creative process clears out what no longer serves, making space for the new. It may dismantle ideas, routines, or even relationships that are standing in its way. Embrace it, and trust the process—you won’t have much say in what gets destroyed.

2. It’s Fierce.
Creativity will push you to confront your deepest fears. Like Chicago’s old tourism slogan, creativity is “not for sissies.” If you have a vision or dream, be ready to face everything that terrifies you. That’s how it forges strength.

3. The Juice Is in the Darkness, Not the Light.
We often search for inspiration in the obvious places, but true creative power lies in the dark muck—those unseen, uncertain places where ideas germinate. For me, it’s imagining myself as a deep root in rich, fertile soil. I can’t “see” in this place, but I can feel my way through it. That’s where the magic happens.

4. Creativity Is Not a Luxury.
Many people treat creativity like a side activity—something for a free evening or weekend. But creativity isn’t supplemental; it’s the essence of being human. Learning, social change, and even nature itself are all creative processes. Creativity is core to life.

5. It Wants You to Slow Down—but Stay Alert.
The creative process doesn’t ask for passivity; it asks for quiet focus. It’s the kind of slowing down Eckhart Tolle describes as “extreme wakefulness”—like a cat patiently watching a mouse hole. The stillness is charged, alive, and ready to pounce when the moment is right.

The Bottom Line:
The creative process is messy, dark, and fiercely transformative. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s essential to life itself. Respect it, and it will reward you.