‘I’m creative’ or ‘I’m a creative person’ invariably sounds a little boastful, even in the mouths of those who are not boasters.
Surely, ‘creative’ belongs with adjectives such as, ‘beautiful’, ‘handsome’, ‘talented’, ‘kind,’ etc that should, if we’re lucky, be said by others –– but not by us.
When someone describes themselves as creative, I wonder from what or from whom they think the description distinguishes them? Those who lack creativity? Those who are, perhaps, less cerebral? Or even the opposite, ie ‘destructive’?
Most of us would not say to others, ‘I’m beautiful’ ‘handsome’ ‘kind’ etc – true as this may be. In the same way, ‘I am creative’ smacks too much of those (perfectly legitimate) self-worth affirmations that are best kept for when we’re in front of a mirror.
Just a thought.
I had a similar problem when I finished my Fine Art degree – uncomfortable with calling myself an artist, and later, still not published, am I justified in claiming ‘writer’. or novlist’? And though I KNOW it’s perfectly accurate – and definitely a Good Thing – to claim to be creative, it does still smack of superiority. Perhaps an ineradicable trait of being British?
A point well made. I had not considered this before but yes, I would baulk at someone saying they are handsome but have just accepted the “creative” monica without a thought.
Mind you, to attempt describe yourself in any way is a minefield. Perhaps that is why we stick to objective statements such as where we were born, places we have lived, places we have worked etc.