Identity & Self-Knowledge: How to Find Your Creative Signature

I believe a great part of becoming a stable and confident creative has to do with finding and expressing your creative signature. However, for that to happen, you need to have a clear vision of who you are and what moves you as a creative. You need to have your identity defined.

Identity is a complex topic to approach and define within limits. It comprises what we believe in, what we value the most, the context we grew up within and the experiences that shaped us throughout life. It also contains our dreams, hopes and aspirations.

How Identity Impacts Wellbeing

When we are unclear about who we are, we don’t have a personal navigation system. We don’t have a compass to guide our decision-making and help us give form and shape to our creative path. This lack of clarity and definition has a negative impact on our wellbeing.

A strong and positive sense of identity is usually associated with a greater sense of confidence. People tend to feel more comfortable about who they are and safe to share it with others through their creative work.

On another hand, a weaker and more negative sense of identity tends to be associated with insecurity, lack of confidence, low self-worth and self-esteem. This not only reduces overall wellbeing but also compromises one’s ability to be fully creative.

Creatives with a stronger sense of identity also seem to be more equipped to deal with criticism and see obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning. By knowing and accepting themselves, they are more resilient and capable of managing their mental and emotional health more efficiently. 

Knowing Yourself To Find Your Creative Signature

Once you invest time and resources in getting to know yourself better, you will have more data and information to understand what is really important to you and you will be better able to define your creative signature.

Your creative signature depends a great deal on your sense of identity and how you see yourself. It’s through this process of self-exploration and self-discovery that you can tap into a special headspace in which you become able to determine your purpose and direction as a life artist.

Without this inner work, you are more likely to feel lost and trapped in an endless cycle of ups and downs. These cycles become rather repetitive and resemble an authentic rollercoaster experience in which you can’t even catch your breath. Eventually, you find yourself depressed, anxious and confused about your place in this world.

How to Know Yourself Better

Although some of your creativity may come from these ups and downs, it is not a sustainable way of living. In fact, it can be quite detrimental to your wellbeing and mental health. There is a more stable way to be creative and one of them is to discover and explore your identity.

The more you get to know yourself and the more you take part in exercises that guide you in a proper way, the more you will be able to start believing in yourself and grow in self-confidence. Here are some questions to get you started:

You don’t need to have all the answers today and no answer is set in stone. Yet you do need to focus and set an intention to learn about yourself and start doing the work. Without knowing yourself, you can’t feel confident about what you are here to do and how you are meant to express and manifest your creativity.

Final Thoughts 

I don’t know about you but the topic of identity fascinates and scares me at the same time. It is a complex and sensitive matter, and I believe we haven’t paid much attention to it.

There is a lot of talk about the importance of knowing yourself but what does that mean exactly and does it influence creatives? Knowing yourself is to learn about your identity, your likes, your dislikes, your interests, and your dreams, but also the way you integrate past, present and future.

Working on the concept of personal identity is one of my favourite aspects when working with clients because it is a beautiful developmental experience to witness and guide. Watching a client go from confusion to inspiration and then act through their unique creative signature is a blessing I can’t even describe. 

Once a person connects and expands their sense of self, creativity can run with greater affluence because creativity itself needs purpose and direction. Not any purpose and direction though. Ours.