Do you get more creative when you're tired?

@filmbuff (2909)
United States
June 13, 2007 11:17am CST
If there were any themes that tie my life together they would be sleep deprivation and creativity. I've noticed a growing personal trend that is rapidly proving that I get more creative the longer I have been up and the more tired that I am getting. Self-censorship for good or ill, seems to go right out the window and I find myself the most prolific as I tire. Be it music, words, or ideas in general; it doesn't matter. The idea's flow and the notes fall as I find my train of conciousnes (whose next stop is women's lingerie) chugging right along. Is this true for anyone else, or is it just me? Are you more creative when your tired, and if so; why do you think that is? Minnie Mouse is HOT! filmbuff
6 people like this
9 responses
kamran12
@kamran12 (5526)
• Pakistan
14 Jun 07
I am not sure if I can truly relate to that, filmbuff! I have enjoyed some of the best quality times and best humor with my wife when I was already drained out because of whole days job. Some of the best discussions I had here on mylot was when I was sleepless for two days and extremely tired. My poetry (now exclusively for my family) gets a warm and lively touch in that state. I have solved some mathematical problems and design issues while being half asleep and thoroughly tired. In fact, solving of problems and engineering design issues have happened in the some of the most awkward places including bathroom, LOL. But I can confidently say that most of the time I looked dumb and silly can easily be attributed to my tiredness specially when I wanted to sleep and was deprived for any good reason.
2 people like this
kamran12
@kamran12 (5526)
• Pakistan
14 Jun 07
I think that probably there are some sections of brain on reserve which get kick started when we have drained out other sections or parts. There must be something to this theory otherwise those 'some' instances couldn't have happened. It's amazing to know the experiences of people in different state of mind. It just shows that how wonderfully designed or perhaps flexible, human minds are.
1 person likes this
filmbuff
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
15 Jun 07
That's a very good point. By the way, you should share some of your poetry with the rest of us. As a creative person and musician it is my belief that you should always run your stuff up the flagpole and see who salutes. :)
1 person likes this
filmbuff
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
14 Jun 07
There's no question that I'm loopy and a little silly when the creative genius happens and honestly I wonder if that's not part of it. Thanks for posting kamran. Minnie Mouse is HOT! filmbuff
1 person likes this
maildumpster
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
17 Jun 07
LOL I never thought about it till now. But yeah I think I do get more creative when I am tired. I also seem to get more creative when I am a bit intoxicated. I seem to paint better when I am a bit intoxicated LOL. Haven't been intoxicated for some time since I was pregnant and now I am br*astfeeding (spelled it like that so it doesn't end up tagged as m*ture content); so I haven't done much painting.
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filmbuff
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
18 Jun 07
Yeah the intoxicated factor I think is similar to the tired one. It's like the concious mind gets out of the way, and the creative stuff just flows. Y'know you're only the 2nd one to post so far that you are more creative when you're tired. I think we may be fairly rare. Minnie Mouse is HOT! filmbuff
1 person likes this
maildumpster
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
18 Jun 07
Well I have always said I was one in a million!! LOL
1 person likes this
vitekfdr
@vitekfdr (647)
• United States
5 Sep 07
this is very interesting argumant sereously
Amber
@AmbiePam (85541)
• United States
13 Jun 07
I'm not the only one who feels that way? Good. When I get tired I get a bit loopy and my brain just starts coming up with all these things I could do and should do to create and appreciate. In short, if my mind were a car, I'd have over 100,000 miles on it.
1 person likes this
filmbuff
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
14 Jun 07
Thank you! I am so glad I am not alone; I was beginning to think that I was the only one. I think maybe my concious mind edits things to much, and when I'm tired (and a little impaired) the flood gates of creativity open. Minnie Mouse is HOT! filmbuff
1 person likes this
sarahruthbeth22
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
22 Jun 07
No I don't feel more creative as I tire.The closest I get to that is I sing better on an empty stomach and I play the guitar better when i am a little angry. But tired, no. When I get tired everything seems to be moving in slow motion and it is time to rest.
1 person likes this
liranlgo
@liranlgo (5752)
• Israel
22 Jun 07
Oh yes. I am very creative when i am tired. I find myself without any barriers and i let myself think and do what ever i want. I am a very creative person, but i usually do not let all of my creativity out on the open, because i am not sure where it will lead me too. But when i am tired , you van believe me everything is out. Lol. A good post you opened here film. I like it.
1 person likes this
filmbuff
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
22 Jun 07
Thanks liranlgo. So far seems that we who are more creative when tired are in the minority, as most just seem to be tired and incapable of putting coherent thoughts together. I'm just glad to see that I (we) are not totally alone on this front.
laridbz
@laridbz (1280)
• China
13 Jun 07
No. It's totally the opposite for me. When I'm tired I can't think of anything, my mind goes off. A great cup of coffee might help, but nothing like a whole night sleeping to recover all my creativity and energies. That's it, Buffy. ;)
1 person likes this
filmbuff
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
14 Jun 07
Interesting. For me, my mind just starts tapping into things when I'm tired, like my concious mind is holding me back and the barriers are let down... Minnie Mouse is HOT! filmbuff
muliercingarus
@muliercingarus (60)
•
11 Jan 12
Well filmbuff, It depends on what you want to create doesn't it? When I'm tired all I want to do is sleep. However, if I can't get to sleep, I make-up stories in my head. It's better than reading for sending me off to sleep - and one of the good things is - that I can continue the following night where I left off - like reading the chapters in a book. My story can go anyway I like - in fact during the day I've written some of them...... Yeah - and I think up poetry and prose too - to be contd naturally Would you say that's being creative? MC
muliercingarus
@muliercingarus (60)
•
11 Jan 12
Oh ha ha - anthother antiquated post....
vitekfdr
@vitekfdr (647)
• United States
5 Sep 07
no i am getting less creative when i am tired
marcusj0015
@marcusj0015 (1)
•
23 Dec 11
Well, I don't think its about inhibitions, because I don't self censor ever. And I have ADHD so random ideas are common to me, but I get more creative the more tired I get as well.