The Psychology Behind Creativity
How Metacognitive Thinking Can Boost Mental Clarity
Table of Contents
Preface
My Cognitive Growth May Be Yours
When you hear the word "creativity," what comes to mind?
Paintbrushes and easels? Music or melody?
Sure, creativity is often tied to artistic talent, but that’s just scratching the surface.
True creativity is the ability to process thoughts in a way that brings fresh insights and innovative solutions — whether you’re composing a symphony or solving a complex problem.
This topic is personal for me because, as a 13 year old child, I was told I had a “learning disability.”
I never accepted the label, but at the time, I didn’t have the wisdom, insight, or experience to challenge it.
Deep down, I always knew my guidance counselor was wrong.
People tend to forget that the 1980s and 90s saw the rise of disability culture.
Neurodiversity is a real thing — but school officials were also quick to label students when there was no time to understand their needs.
To spare you the long story, I essentially figured out for myself how I needed to retain information.
By adulthood, I concluded that the teachers had failed to provide the necessary learning framework for me to excel.
In college, I had it figured out, and my grades proved it.
This was the pivotal moment that sparked my self-taught journey into psychology and cognitive processing.
One quote I live by is this…
Everybody gets two educations. The one that’s given to you and the one you give yourself. — Carter G. Woodson from the miseducation of the negro from 1875.
This article series, “The Psychology of Creativity” is the result of that journey. And if my growth was possible, yours may be too.
Chapter 1
Creativity: More Than Just Art
Creativity isn’t just about art or music.
It’s about processing thoughts.
It’s about taking the mundane and flipping it into something extraordinary.
The way a chef creates a new recipe or a mechanic figures out a weird noise in your car — that’s creativity, too.
And what’s the best part?
It’s not something you’re born with — it’s something you can build.
Here’s why.
Creativity is Cognitive, Not Just Artistic
Genes may boost creativity, but structuring those ideas is what truly matters.
No matter if you’re a business owner, musician, or student, you must continue to learn how to process information.
And the way to do that is by improving how you think.
In this chapter, we’ll explore:
Metacognition – How thinking about your own thinking can unlock new levels of creativity.
Cognitive Load – Why mental overload stifles creativity and how to reduce it.
Imposter Syndrome – How self-doubt limits your creative potential and how to overcome it.
By the end of this chapter, you’ll have a new perspective on creativity — not as something mysterious or artistic, but as a mental process you can strengthen.
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