By Emilee Williams
If there’s one thing I hear over and over again, it’s this: “I’m just not a creative person.” Most people genuinely believe this about themselves not because it’s true, but because their definition of creativity has been limited to painting, sculpting, playing piano, or producing something traditionally “artistic.” Most of us aren’t lacking creativity…We’re just too stressed, overstimulated, and exhausted to access it.
In our busy, fast-moving world, we’ve lost touch with the spaciousness required to feel inspired. Creativity isn’t a skill reserved for artists, it’s a natural expression that lives inside everyone.
When we are overwhelmed, anxious, burnt out, or in a near-constant state of fight-or-flight, we disconnect from the part of ourselves that imagines, innovates, dreams, and plays. Stress pulls us away from self-expression and into survival mode.
What is Creativity?
California State University defines creativity as:
“The tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.”
Notice that nowhere in that definition does it mention talent. It doesn’t say you have to draw, perform, or compose.
Creativity is:
• The way you problem-solve.
• How you express yourself.
• Your ability to come up with new ideas.
• The joy and playfulness you bring into everyday life.
When creativity is blocked, life starts to feel stagnant and predictable. We feel disconnected from ourselves. Our days lose color. Innovation dries up.
But when creativity is flowing, everything feels different. Creativity requires peace. It requires softness. It requires a regulated nervous system. Stress pulls us away from the parts of the brain responsible for idea generation, imagination, and intuitive thinking.
When we’re in chronic stress or burnout (which the National Library of Medicine reports is still rising even post-pandemic), the body prioritizes survival not creativity.
This is why so many people believe they’re “not creative.” They’re not blocked, they’re tired. They’re overwhelmed. They’re never fully dropping into the state of rest where inspiration lives.
This is where herbalism can be such a beautiful ally. There are herbs known specifically for enhancing creativity, like mugwort, saffron, and rose (Mountain Rose Herbs), but the deeper truth is this: When you soothe the nervous system, creativity naturally returns. Below are herbs I love for opening the mind, softening the heart, and helping you access the inner spaciousness required for inspiration to come through.
Holy Basil (Tulsi): One of my favorite herbs for breaking through brain fog and bringing the nervous system down into a soft exhale. Tulsi protects neurons, reduces mental fatigue, and clears the internal “static” that blocks creativity.
Damiana: A beautiful ally if you feel depleted, overworked, or disconnected from your spark. Especially supportive for those who feel their stress is directly impacting their ability to imagine, create, or even enjoy pleasure.
Gotu Kola: A powerful brain and nerve tonic. Improves clarity, concentration, memory, and increases receptivity. Gotu kola grounds the nervous system while elevating your ability to think expansively.
Rosemary: Historically used for uplifting the spirit, stimulating dullness, and supporting those feeling mentally tired or stuck. Rosemary wakes up the inner fire without overstimulating the system.
Agrimony: A lovely herb for people who resist feeling their emotions or struggle to get into flow. Agrimony gently lifts the mood, reduces inner tension, and helps you soften into your creative process.
Herbs can support the mind and body, but true creativity expands when we create conditions for openness:
• Rest
• Slowness
• Pleasure
• Play
• A regulated nervous system
• Time away from constant stimulation
• Moments of silence or solitude
Our creativity is not “lost.” It’s simply waiting for us to slow down enough to hear it.
If you would like to learn more about this and start integrating these practices into your routines, I would invite you to my workshop on Saturday February 21st at 10 AM at Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism.
Sources:
• The Essential Guide to Western Botanical Medicine — Christa Sinadinos
• California State University: https://www.csun.edu/~vcpsy00h/creativity/define.htm
• Mountain Rose Herbs: https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbs-for-creativity
• National Library of Medicine: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12013355/
• The Book of Herbal Wisdom — Matthew Wood