Openness

What do mean when we talk about the creative personality? There are many different nuances, but the most important is the idea of openness. Being open can mean being open to new experiences – wanting to try new foods, visit new places, experience new cultures, and take sensible risks. It can also mean being open to new ideas – welcoming debates and intellectual challenges and being curious about other people’s perspectives. People high on openness would appreciate beauty, express their emotions, enjoy learning, and be more likely to buck the status quo.

Creativity is often very different across domains, such that what it takes to paint a mural or compose a tuneful melody is not the same as what it takes to make a scientific discovery or deliver a witty remark. Yet the personality trait of openness is related at some level to creativity in nearly all areas and across many different types of measures.

Although many people say personality is fixed and stable, it is possible to change if it is important to you. Even small steps such as tinkering with a favorite recipe, trying to find a different way home without using your GPS, or going to a new museum can be good starts. It’s like our image of the Fiddler on the Roof with Mary Poppins in the background – a small new thing on top of the familiar. Just stretching your comfort zone a little bit is great!