How do I deal with feeling like I'm not creative enough?

Feeling like you're not creative enough often stems from narrow definitions of creativity that focus only on traditional artistic abilities like drawing, painting, writing, or music. This limited view ignores the many ways creativity manifests in daily life - from problem-solving and cooking to organizing spaces, finding innovative solutions at work, or combining ideas in unique ways. You might dismiss your own creative abilities because they don't fit conventional artistic molds, or because you compare your beginner efforts to others' polished results without considering their years of practice and development. Social media can intensify feelings of creative inadequacy by showing you endless examples of impressive artistic work while you're struggling with basic techniques or feeling uninspired. The comparison trap is particularly dangerous in creative pursuits because creativity is highly personal and subjective - what resonates with one person might not appeal to another, and there's no objective measure of creative worth. Sometimes feeling uncreative comes from perfectionist tendencies that make you afraid to experiment or make mistakes, which are essential parts of the creative process. You might avoid creative activities because you're worried about producing something imperfect or because you believe you should be naturally talented rather than needing to learn and practice. Past criticism or discouragement about your creative efforts can also create lasting insecurity about your abilities. Perhaps a teacher, parent, or peer made negative comments about your artwork, writing, or other creative expressions, leading you to conclude that you're not a creative person. Major depressive disorder can also affect creativity by making it difficult to feel inspired or motivated to engage in creative activities. The truth is that creativity is a skill that can be developed rather than a fixed talent that some people have and others don't. Everyone has creative potential, but it might express itself differently than you expect. Focus on exploring what genuinely interests you rather than trying to be creative in ways that don't resonate with your personality or strengths. Practice creative activities for the joy and satisfaction they bring rather than for external validation or comparison to others. Remember that creativity is about expression and exploration, not about producing masterpieces or impressing others.